2019 Imported Oktoberfests Blind Tasting

Great stuff.

I’d kill to have even one of those beers available locally. As far as I can tell, we have exactly zero imports in the style available this year.... most of the local options are disappointing too.

 

Paulaner was my favorite from last year

 

SN calls it a Festbier, but it’s certainly not pale.

 

That’s because Festbiers aren’t necessarily pale. (I’ve unfortunately accepted my annoying role as a broken record. This topic has become my “adjunct” or “session beer.” )

 

The BJCP classifies the Hofbrau as a festbier, the Hacker-Pschoor and Paulaner as a marzen and the other two are not listed as 'classic examples.' The Hofbrau is the outlier in this situation as the others are technically a different style of beer and whether you want to re-classify them or not, have a different flavor and aroma profile.

 

I not learned on the subject, but this is the first one I’ve had that fit this particular profile. I’ve associated Marzens with deep copper malty, perhaps a tad sweeter tasting care for, Fest beers I’ve always thought to be pale, not so much malt, a bit more hops on the finish maybe a bit cleaner, crisp. Every year this has been an issue to some degree, but it’s definitely vague.

 

Dale, you are not alone here.

I am an advocate that there are two Oktoberfest sub-styles:

• Pale Oktoberfest
  
• Amber Oktoberfest

Take this FWIW.

Cheers!

 

I though so too until this years SN, the looks like tastes like was very different.

 

Right, because of all the tents I enjoyed beers at in Munich, there isn't one I'd not consider going back to for the beer. Yes, I have my favorites, but I'd not turn down one of the brands available.

To that, I've been able to have a few imports this year and while not tasted blind, my palate is discerning enough to rate to style characteristics -- and keep in mind the above statement.

Of the Amber Märzens I've found Spaten, Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr, and I'd rate them in that order as my favorites. The Paulaner and H-P are always very dry to my palate while the Spaten is smooth and rich. This year's Paulaner tastes a bit less dry than the H-P to me, past years of the 2 labels have been near identical -- thus Paulaner takes second place this year.

Of the Wiesn Fest style I've found Hofbräu München, Hofbräu Freising, and Weihenstephaner Festbier. Again, I'd rate that order as my favorites. The HB Munich Festbier seems to expertly divide the line between a Munich Helles and a Maibock with very smooth, luscious, bready malts. The HB Freising has some good, yeasty, bready sweetness up front, but seems to be over-balanced with hops in the finish -- albeit spicy, noble hops of Bavaria. The Weihenstephan is somewhat disappointing for a Festbier as it seems so Helles-like as to not really stand out to-style.

All that aside, there isn't a drain-pour among them and I feel fortunate to have these beers available to me.

 

Yes, you and I have already discussed this before.

Also in post #30 @WesMantooth posted: "The SN example is very delicate, it's not a rich,..."

As I discussed with you prior I have yet to taste this year's SN Oktoberfest.

@WesMantooth used a terminology of "hybrid" in his discussions.

I am not an advocate for creating a third Oktoberfest sub-style (e.g., an Amber Oktoberfest that tastes like a Pale Oktoberfest) but maybe if more breweries create beers akin to this year's SN Oktoberfest this would be a consideration?

Right now (even though I have not tasted SN Oktoberfest) I would be inclined to label it as an Amber Oktoberfest and 'ding' it for lack of a richness to it's malty flavor profile.

Cheers!

 

Thanks for your hard work and courage! How many tasty cocktails did you have in between each beer sample?

But seriously ... thanks for posting! Very interesting results ...

 

I agree on the roast in the Schells

 

Without a doubt, but I was thinking more on the lines of the more mellow Maibocks. HB's Maibock is so unique to most others in its robust quality.

 

It’s not rich it’s not creamy, nothing along that line at all. Ayinger is rich and creamy as an example, and I thought the few I had were outstanding. Usually I can take or leave Ayinger as it’s usually a tad too much malt for my liking, but this year I didn’t get impression at all. SN for lack of a better description reminds me more of a beer along the lines of a 3/4 - 7/8 Fat Tire with 1/8 maybe 1/4 Pils mixed together. Might sound ridiculous but is a deep copper, not really malty, a with bit of hops at the end. It’s super drinkable too, I’d buy it again. Like I said originally, more aalish. .

 

Oh, so you're an ESB fan. Maybe a Brown Ale drinker?

 

It's (HB Fest) definitely big enough and more malty that you know it's not a Helles, but it doesn't reach that chewy maltiness and body most Maibocks have.

 

I was starting to think i was the only person that noticed it. I was wondering if my taste buds were off.

on a side note Growler Guys in Eau Claire has Weihenstephan
Korbinian Doppelbock on tap.

 

I am a Dunkel head. Plus most types of bocks. add Schwarzbier and craft pilsners too. Ofest beers are not my favorite style of beer, but I like them when there fresh.

Brown ales are good, so are Scottish ales/Scotch Ale