2019 Imported Oktoberfests Blind Tasting

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by WesMantooth, Sep 2, 2019.

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  1. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Almost. A little over an hour before I finished off the last 2. I think when I was halfway through them it was about 35 minutes. I basically stopped taking notes after 45. I should have put them in the fridge at that point because they were a little too warm. I went down the line left to right twice, and then started bouncing around, but tried to keep the glasses all pretty even. I originally looked at it as “it’s just a bit more than a liter”, and I did drink 3 liters At Hofbrauhaus in about 2 hrs once... I’ve had better ideas.
     
    #101 WesMantooth, Sep 4, 2019
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  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    So that's what happens to tickers.
     
    #102 steveh, Sep 4, 2019
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  3. officerbill

    officerbill Pooh-Bah (2,228) Feb 9, 2019 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    On my son's last day as a cashier he told a woman she wasn't allowed in the “10 items or less” express lane because she had 12 eggs.
     
    #103 officerbill, Sep 4, 2019
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  4. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice "work" @WesMantooth ! Am just starting to get into the swing of the Okto season, and am gonna make my next three purchases the winners of your tasting.

    Really relate to the lessening of your enjoyment of Ayinger. I also like it less than I used to do.
     
    #104 cavedave, Sep 4, 2019
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  5. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I used to buy as much as I could find as recently as 3 years ago, and definitely 6-7 years ago. Not sure if it’s just my taste buds that have changed (most likely) or if they have changed anything. I think Ayinger still makes the best Dunkel on the planet.
     
    #105 WesMantooth, Sep 4, 2019
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  6. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The trajectory of Ayinger O'fest has been decidedly downward for the past few years. I suppose it's official at this point that it ain't coming back.
     
    #106 TongoRad, Sep 4, 2019
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  7. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I picked up a single 500 ml bottle this year to try. Used to get 1 or 2 four packs without even thinking about it. :confused:
     
    #107 FBarber, Sep 4, 2019
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  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Have you tasted it yet? Whatcha think?

    Cheers!
     
    #108 JackHorzempa, Sep 4, 2019
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  9. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Last year was the first time I remember people really having an issue with it. I didn't notice the decline that many others did. I've had a couple of the 330 mL bottles this year and they're as good as I remember. One of my favorite O'fests.
     
    #109 Jacobier10, Sep 4, 2019
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  10. lastmango

    lastmango Maven (1,487) Dec 11, 2014 Pennsylvania


    Thanks so much for the review! I only have two Americans - GL and SN, the later of which I just enjoyed consuming while reading your post. I have Hacker downstairs. I love Paulaner brewery but have not seen it yet in the stores. But, I can grab a Hofbrau. Now I need to go hunting for some German stuff! :slight_smile:
     
    #110 lastmango, Sep 4, 2019
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  11. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’m planning on picking up some Great Lakes, although the bottled versions have been very subpar compared to drafts the last few years (applies to most of their lineup). I have a single of the Goose Island to try, and have had (a good) Fat Heads, but that’s it so far outside of SN collaboration as far as American ones go.
     
    #111 WesMantooth, Sep 5, 2019
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  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    A hundred years ago, Jeff MaCnelly's cartoon character "Shoe" was in the 5 or less express lane with a six-pack of beer. A woman behind him said he couldn't be in line with "six" items. Shoe looked at the woman nonchalantly and downed one of the cans of beer and dropped the "five-pack" on the checkout belt.
     
    #112 steveh, Sep 5, 2019
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  13. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    #113 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Sep 5, 2019
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  14. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Drinking it now. Its much better than last year, but still not where It was a couple years ago (although that may be more my shifting palate than the beer itself). Compared to last years its less sweet, doesn't have that almost caramel character that I noticed (and that is so common in American märzens), a bit more spicy with a tad more hop character coming through. I'm getting a bit of toasted almost roasted malts from this one - its not as bread-y as I remember it.

    Drank the half-pint quickly and enjoyed it. I'd definitely drink a 4-pack of this, but at the same time, with so many other options (Ive already grabbed Paulaner and HB Friesing, and still want to grab a 6-pack of Spaten), I may just skip any more of this one this year.
     
    #114 FBarber, Sep 5, 2019
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  15. officerbill

    officerbill Pooh-Bah (2,228) Feb 9, 2019 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #115 officerbill, Sep 5, 2019
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  16. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    #116 AlcahueteJ, Sep 5, 2019
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  17. grantcty

    grantcty Savant (1,016) Feb 17, 2008 Minnesota
    Trader

    Looks to me like this is the Salzburg Augustiner, not Munich--probably why there's not much info.
     
    #117 grantcty, Sep 5, 2019
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  18. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    @AlcahueteJ Grant hit it, Augustiner Salzburg (not connected to Augustiner Munich) and I have had it when I visited Salzburg. It's sort of an in-between Pale and Amber -- might even be able to call it a Vienna? Been a while since I've tried it so I'd have to reassess.

    https://www.augustinerbier.at/

    Also @EmperorBatman
     
    #118 steveh, Sep 5, 2019
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  19. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I wonder why it's called a Marzen then? It's not Marzen strength.

    Perhaps they produce during the Oktoberfest season then?

    From their website (although their Marzen is oddly the only one that doesn't list a time frame):

    "The most popular beers we serve are:
    Märzen, Fastenbier (Lenten Beer served between Ash Wednesday and Easter) and Bockbier (November and December)"
     
    #119 AlcahueteJ, Sep 5, 2019
  20. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Their märzen is year round.
    Source: https://www.augustinerbier.at/the-braeustuebl/ownership-operation/?L=1
     
    #120 FBarber, Sep 5, 2019
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