2020 Oktoberfests

That was me! Yeah, that was nuts... very unique and probably doesn't belong in a conversation about "normal Oktoberfest" beers, but... I hope they sequestered some of this year's in the same or a different barrel because I will definitely hoard next year's release of that!

Yup, Bitburger has been the Ofest I've been championing this year. Freaking awesome.

 

Get a room! (I haven't seem Bitburger yet. But the 15 pack of Founders didn't last long on Sat between me and a couple friends)

 

Tonight I had a can or 2 of BBC Life on Marzen and Alvarium’s Hedwig, plus a grill full of brats for the family. BBC is a sneaky 6.8%. IMO the bomber format is ideal, but still a great beer that doesn’t come across as too boozy. Hedwig started off a bit watery at first then had a great malty/cracker finish. Not bad! Still have not had the Sam Adams as I prefer that on draft when possible. Gansett is next on the list.

 

Please help me assemble my Octoberfest case- I tend towards the Marzen side of the spectrum. I can get to a Total wine or some other large beer store in Massachusetts. I like to get 4 different 6 packs for the season. What do you all recommend? I have already had plenty of Copper Legend- not blown away with this years version, but happy with the price point to quality ratio. I just finished a Bittburger fest beer that I enjoyed a bit more than copper legend.

 

Best octoberfest beers for me this year that I would recommend for a mixed pack:
East rock
Counterweight
Hofbrau
Wheistephan
Paulner
Bitburger
Benedicter

First two probably not in Massachusetts.

 

Suggested replacements for the first two:
Ayinger
Narragansett Fest

 

While I do really dig some on your list @thedaveofbeer did specifically say he leaned towards the Marzen side of the spectrum and wanted beers he could easily get in MA.

With that in mind I’d recommend Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen which was my favorite this year. Read the label, because you don’t want the Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier, that’s the pale style.

Then I’d round it out with Spaten, Hacker Pschorr, and for domestic Zero Gravity’s.

If they don’t have one of those I think Von Trapp is a solid fill in, or you could just snag Bitburger’s again.

 

I’ll second Ayinger and Zero Gravity. Both delicious marzens. Both also 4 packs, sorry to mess up your case

 

To keep it at a case: Ayinger, Zero Gravity, Idle Hands Brocktoberfest, Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr.

 

Kind of a lame import section today. Grabbed a Weinstephaner and a Tributary. Looking forward to trying both.

 

I see you went to Liquor Junction from the other thread.

You could have swung by Redstone, they have a good selection of imported Oktoberfests.

 

I feel like Paulaner's name changes on the fest creates a lot of potential for confusion. Though I will say Weisn would make me think it was a wheat beer if I didn't know better.

 

Had the Spaten last night and was not a big fan but you are right about him preferring Marzan. My list is full of paler options...

 

Could the bottle have been skunked? That can happen with the green bottled Spaten.

 

Just cracked another one. It taste a little better than I remember from Friday. I did have a couple beers before it on Friday and taste a little better now but it just doesn’t have any wow factor for me. However tonight it’s solid. I would not buy it again. Glad I split the sixpack with a buddy. Guessing next year I’ll buy a single. Not getting any flavors that I would typically relate to skunking.

 

I liked it better on draft for what it's worth. Not just better, it was arguably the best Oktoberfest I had this season (the draft, not the bottle), right up there with Paulaner Marzen from the bottle this year.

It's on draft at Five Horses in Davis Square if that's at all close to you.

 

Picked up Zero Gravity today looking forward to trying one tonight.

Gotta say I am liking the $10 4 and 6 packs.

 

Was up in VT last week with Alewife.... had a solid Ofest at Queen City in Burlington.... tried the Schilling Konstantin on the way home... a bit too much caramel for me, though still solid.... Prosit!!

 

Queen City is pretty consistently good at classic German/Belgian/English styles. I should pick that up, think it got distro this year?