Best 2017 Oktoberfest, So Far

This is sad to hear, as it is one that I pick up nearly every year, but after trying last year's effort, I agree with your analysis, and will most likely not be getting any this year.

 

Random: But can anyone vouch for the Oktoberfest from Real Ale in Austin? I'm trying to find a back up if Zwanze Day doesnt pan out, and it feels like it isnt since Jester King hasnt released any new information (idk). And Real Ale is doing an Oktoberfest event, 23 bucks and four 16oz pours for that price.

 

I may slightly amend my previous post.

I finally grabbed both Paulaner's (pale and amber) and they may both replace Weihenstephan and Spaten as my favorites for each style this season.

The Paulaner Marzen I had on a mostly clean palate, right after a Spaten actually, but only my second beer of the day. There's a slight bite (perhaps astringency) in the finish for the Spaten that I wasn't getting with the Paulaner. Paulaner's is smoother, with a bit more depth in the malt profile this year than Spaten. The Spaten doesn't look quite as dark as previous year's either.

I had the W'iesn on draft, but that was at the end of a long afternoon/night of drinking, yet it was still insanely drinkable. I'll need to grab this on draft on a fresh palate to truly put it ahead of Weihenstephan. At the moment I would say I like both equally, with Hofbrau bringing up the rear.

As a side note, I noticed this year last year too. Paulaner's W'iesn is hazy...which is weird. Last year's was horrible if I recall correctly, so I attributed it to an old keg or bad batch. However this year's was also hazy but tasted great.

Needless to say, I have much more experimentation to do...

 

Well, now I can't agree with you anymore -- nice goin'.

Never had any astrigency in a Spaten -- you drinking from a bottle or on draft?

The big difference I find between Spaten and Palaner (and H-P, for that matter, because I find those two identical) is a dryness in the finish of the Paulaner that the Spaten doesn't have.

Does this really make the Spaten better? Probably not, but it does to my palate. Paulaner is an extremely close second to Spaten for me -- it's picking nits.

I find the opposite to be true. Funny how people interpret differently.

Now I have to question your eyesite. Seriously, the Spaten I've been drinking has the same color as always, deep copper brown -- even the draft I had was the same color as the bottles. In fact, I was thinking the H-P and Paulaner may be lighter than last year, but I checked some pictures I have from 2016 and they're about the same.

I get that same dry finish in the Paulaner Wies'n as I do in the amber, makes me think it's the house yeast giving off the character. To me, the Weihenstephaner had a bigger bready character with a smooth, soft finish that was, well -- insanely drinkable.

But again, I wouldn't walk away from either beer.

From bottle or draft? I had a full 12 pack of the Paulaner Wies'n (over the course of a month) and none of the bottles were hazy. Very odd.

 

Man, I've got some catching up to do. I picked up a 12 pack of SN just this past weekend and haven't had any yet. Plan on getting 3-4 German imports and at least one American, probably Left Hand.

 

Jacks Abby Copper Legend is really tasty

 

*Jay Zs voice*

I feel bad for you, son.

No, hopefully you start to see them soon.

 

Just had Brocktoberfest from Idle Hands. Really impressed with this one. Definitely one of the best I've had this year.

 

Having a 330 ml Ayinger now. No off taste detected at all. A real solid Octo brew

 

Bottle...draft is coming!

Astringency (or what I perceive as astringency) is something common as an off flavor of sorts I pick up in many malt-forward beers. It's an unpleasant bite that I definitely don't think is hops, I know the spiciness of Noble hops well and I love them.

It didn't detract from the beer too much, or get in the way of the bready characteristics up front, not like this year's Ayinger. That was much more egregious.

I actually liked Spaten better than Hacker Pschorr this year, and I like Paulaner (so far) better than Spaten...so go figure. I don't doubt H-P and Paulaner are nearly identical based on what you've said in the past...same bottling dates it appears too.

The Hacker Pschorr had this sort of bite to it as well, not as smooth in the finish, but again, still enjoyable. I figured it was due to age (bottled in April), but the Paulaner was also bottled in April.

I don't really find any of them particularly dry, at least none that are drier than the other. But I suck at picking out dryness in a beer unless it's something excessive like a De Ranke XX Bitter.

Normally I'd agree with you, I always find Spaten to be richer (the richest out of all Oktoberfests actually) and have more depth. I was taken a bit off guard this year.

This I agree with, and I take what I said back. I looked at my pictures, and while the lighting isn't the best and makes the beer look darker, the Spaten is quite dark. The H-P photos I have are during the day, so it's not the same lighting. But it looks about the same as always looking at these photos.

I'll need to have the Paulaner again to compare the two better. I've already downed a few bottles of Weihenstephan. That draft of Paulaner was great though, but both have a rich white-breadiness to them that makes them easy (way to easy) to drink.

Draft, both last year and this year. I haven't it in the bottle for a few years. I've purchased the 1 liter can in the past too. But for the most part I stick to draft because my local only carries it in 12 packs and 1 liter cans.

And it's not the 1 liter can that scares me off, I just don't need another Maß collecting dust and taking up space, plus I already have one from Paulaner.

I'll try to snap a picture of the next draft I get...might be a bit, because I already checked this one off my list and this weekend starts my month+ long journey of tearing through every import on draft that I can try at my favorite Oktoberfest watering hole.

 

I had a single of the small bottle and if I recall correctly, it tasted the same, and I didn't care for it either.

But I'm not picking up diacetyl (wasn't really looking for it either if it's subtle), it was simply harsh and lacked depth in its bready character.

I'll have a draft at some point and report back...although I'm a little gun shy now...maybe I'll snag a sample first? There's so many on draft at this place, I'd hate to waste a full draft on a dud...especially considering it's one of the few places that gets Andech's Festbier.

 

Too bad you do not live in Wisconsin. New Glarus Stagehorn tastes just like Ayinger Fest Beer and is on sale for 6.99 a six pack.

 

Stagehorn from New Glarus is the evil twin to Ayinger---you could not tell the difference in a blind taste test.

 

That's a fine beer for sure. I traded for a few sixers not too long ago. I didn't think they were exact matches, myself, but I thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

Jack straightened me out on that one, the retailer pulled his stock.

 

http://magounssaloon.com/menus/draught-beer/

Traunstein, Weihenstephan, Hofbrau, Paulaner Marzen and Wies'n, Andech's Spezial Hell, Ayinger, Spaten, and Hacker Pschorr...

Aww crap, where do I start on Saturday?

 

Idle Hands "Brocktober" was pretty delicious

 

Um -- evil maybe, twin? Not hardly.

I've had a lot of Staghorn over the years, was never impressed with it as an Oktoberfest, it's a very American take on the style, more nutty and sweet compared with (fresh) Ayinger that's bready and sweet-to-dry.

 

Wow, what a line-up! I see that the list now contains a Benediktiner Oktoberfest. The Benediktiner line up is brewed by Licher (Bitburger) for the Klosterbrauerei Ettal in Bavaria.

The 'other' site says that the Oktoberfest is the same beer as the Licher Oktoberfest, which I picked up a few years ago in Wisconsin. I thought it was a middle-of-the road Festbier, but a nice-enough offering considering the price (under 3 bucks for a half liter). Might be worth a taster.

 

Great price, but I wouldn't expect too much from that beer then. The last time I had Licher it reminded me more of Dos Equis Amber than an O'fest.