Local-ish Oktoberfest beers

I got a 4 pack (now in cans) of Waddle from Off Color over the weekend. Haven't had any yet but looking forward to some of the cooler evening weather to have one on the deck.

 

Was close to New Oberpfalz on Saturday so I grabbed some! A favorite stop in Indiana for sure!

 

Try what I do, grab a case/sixer/whatever and save a few while Oktoberfest Beers are being released, then look for bargains when Oktoberfest begins.

Life on Marzen by Berkshire Brewing Company of scenic South Deerfield Massachusetts is my favorite so far. I'm a Brown Ale fan so I gravitate towards the darker and sweeter Marzens over Festbiers, this is a Marzen worth checkin' out. I have enjoyed almost ever Beer labeled Ok(c)toberfest that I have tried so far.

Prost.

 

Had one last night but didn't write anything down or take notes. I enjoyed it but I don't think it's the most representative of the Oktoberfest style. The most immediate thought was that it tastes like a dark grain, hearty loaf of bread but in a very good way. A little darker than I remember other Oktoberfests being but that may because I haven't had any in about a year. Need to go get Munsterfest as I've heard that's a solid offering and do a tasting.

 

I have never been disappointed in any of their beers. Which is why I am so pissed that they went all in on 16 oz cans.

 

Truly a hot take these days! What's the beef? 4oz too many? I'm genuinely curious.

 

That's exactly it. It hits me harder than I like.

 

Your reviewed beers certainly check out on being on the lower ABV side and the Trippel from New Belgium wasn't in your wheelhouse.

 

No it was not, but I was at the friends' place and it was either that or Voodoo Ranger. I knew I should try their Orange Trippel when it was available locally, and now it's not. Perhaps one winter day I'll find a place that stocks it, and Abbey and 1554, and may be some of their sours and go for drive.

 

I swear that Buckledown has change the formula every year for their Octoberfest. My tasting notes for it say "2017 was too bitter, 2018 was good, 2019 too IPA-ish". I remember looking forward to it in 2019, after enjoying it in 2018. And being very disappointed in the 2019 batch, since it tasted like an IPA.

 

I'm having a an of this now and like you said I am enjoying it but it's not what I would call a traditional Oktoberfest. I think the thing that takes me out of the style is a lingering flavor of smoke, which I am actually liking about it from a taste perspective (even if it's not traditional). The initial bready malt flavor and hop combo I think is excellent.

So, a bit of an odd one, and it doesn't scream Oktoberfest to me, but I can't imagine how good this would go down in the month of October sitting outside around a fire.

 

Dovetail Festbier & New Glarus Staghorn is all you really want or need! They are perfect!

 

Yeah I can't put my finger on it but there's something a bit off about it. Not a bad beer but I'd have it below like SIerra Nevada, Half Acre, etc.

 

Really enjoying Metal Monkey's Oktoberfest. Worth grabbing for sure.

 

Really like Solemn Oath's Octoberface. Very caramel forward. I'm usually way into Octoberfests this time of year but between having brewed my own (its still conditioning could be bad...) and not really buying much beer right now its the only one I've had. Oh, I did get some Sam Adams but...not local.