Midwest Oktoberfest Beers (2022)

Found the Utepils Festbier "Receptional" today. 5.9% ABV, listed as German style. I dig most of the beers from Utepils, and I appreciate that it's not overly hopped or too sweet, but I still can't get excited about this one. There is some kind of void asking to be filled. I'll leave one or two of these in the back of the fridge for later comparison with other Oktoberfest beers.

 

The three I've grabbed so far.

Lakefront is a longtime favorite, if not one of the best Märzen styles out there.
More is a new one for me this year, but I'm holding it up to their Maibock from 2022 and just a little disappointed.
Roaring Table was my favorite Fest/Wiesn-style last year and doesn't disappoint this year. It's a pretty outstanding American take on the style.

 

The More Oktoberfest Märzen style. A really smooth, easy-drinking beer, but just a little lackluster in character. As mentioned, their Maibock was outstanding this year and I held this one up in comparison and it sort of disappoints.

 

Anyone know when Civil Life Oktoberfest is coming out? I’ve been checking their website daily for updates.

 

For Wisconsin folks (and in their distribution footprint) can't go wrong with Central Waters and 3 Sheeps versions of Oktoberfest.

 

Okay, not a Midwest Okto/Fest, but as @FBarber might say -- I bought it and am drinking it in the Midwest, so there.



Had not seen this in the past few years around here, so I took a chance. While somewhat lackluster to me for either Fest or Märzen, it was certainly easy drinking and not at all off in any flavors. Somewhat caramelly, some bread crust -- a lot of hop bitterness I don't associate to the style, but went down fine.

 

It is out in stores around the area now, just grabbed some last night

 

BTW -- this beer is darker than H-P Oktoberest Märzen and has a richer malt note than most Festbiers, I'm surprised it's listed as a Fest.

@FBarber -- should I suggest a change? Not sure what the Bitburger website* calls it (don't forget, they can't label it an Oktoberest because they're outside Munich).

*Not listed -- export only? Should allow them to call it Oktoberest, but maybe they're being careful.

 

Locals I've been drinking so far this year. The HighGrain Meadow is my favorite, but all are good.

 

I'm surprising myself this Okto season in that I really haven't bought as many as I have in (many) years past. Thus, with the Bitburger being new to me, I had to talk about it somewhere.

So far, there's only the Fall Beers thread I've seen in the general forums -- maybe it's up to us to divide the Oktos from the veggie beers?

And I'm feeling bad because I should have snapped a pic of the RT Festbier I had insitu the other night, but I was deep in real conversation and not thinking about cyber space.

 

Since @CB_Michigan is doing the heavy lifting, I'll join in.

I had my first new-to-me Midwestern Oktoberfest this week; M.C. Hammerschlagen from Eagle Park. Between the cringe-inducing name and the fact that this is a haze n' "kettle sour" new school brewery (in my limited estimation, anyway) I had low expectations.

Well...I kinda liked it! The smell had the appropriate fall notes with a mild orange peel accent that was welcome and not overpowering. The flavor wasn't quite so interesting, but it was solid & enjoyable.

I'd recommend trying it as a single or on draft...can't give it a strong recommendation on a full 4 pack, but you could do way worse.

 

I asked this last year. But if you had to pick....

Let's keep it simple.

Festbier or Marzen?

 

Why do we have to choose?

My answer, "Yes please."

 

Thanks for the review -- and giving me good enough info to steer clear.

 

I saw Founders did a Barrel-Aged Oktoberfest. I'm all for barrel aging things, but I'm not sure I need barrel aging all the things. Skipping this one in packs even at a reasonable $15/4 as I just don't need my Oktoberfest/Marzen beers barrel aged, but would, as always, be down on trying about anything in a small pour if I stumbled across it.

 

Express your skepticism here -- along with the rest of we naysayers.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/founders-ultimate-oktoberfest-bba-marzen.668439/