Spaten Oktoberfest: have they killed it?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by bonsainut, Sep 18, 2022.

  1. Tilley4

    Tilley4 Pooh-Bah (2,667) Nov 13, 2007 Tennessee
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I have been able to score quote a bit of Spaten this year. Still hate the green bottles but it's tasting as good as I remember...I still prefer HB but this will do in a pinch
     
  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Double checking those dates?
    Not exactly an apples to apples choice, and I like HB Fest, but I miss the Spaten Märzen goodness
     
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  3. Victory_Sabre1973

    Victory_Sabre1973 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,561) Sep 15, 2015 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I checked last night at work. We have 3 six packs left of it. The best by date is January of 23', so it probably is older stock, or even last year's.
     
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  4. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    You’ll know it’s this year’s because the code will start with “FU”.
     
  5. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,291) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Reading between the lines...... (or quote marks) :rolling_eyes:
     
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  6. Bierman9

    Bierman9 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,669) Dec 20, 2001 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Still in Maastricht.... train to München tomorrow.....

    Prosit!
     
  7. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Don't forget that Wurst stand! :wink:
     
  8. Bierman9

    Bierman9 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,669) Dec 20, 2001 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Just to the left as facing the HP tent, correct?
     
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  9. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    You got it. :wink:

    At least I hope you do! Have to wonder if it's still there.
     
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  10. BubbiesR

    BubbiesR Initiate (0) Sep 19, 2022

    Our local grocery store in Central Ohio is stocked with it. The supply stays because I think I’m the only one in town that drinks it.
     
  11. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Been my cry -- check dates!
     
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  12. grantcty

    grantcty Pundit (952) Feb 17, 2008 Minnesota
    Trader

    I managed to find 5/23 six packs here in the Twin Cities at one spot thus far--but not my usual store for Spaten (Total Wine). The other spots I've visited had lots of 9/22 (Total Wine)

    I was in Madison, WI and Onalaska (La Crosse), WI on Friday. Didn't find it at the spots visited in Madison (Steve's Junction Road, Woodman's Gammon Road and Total Wine).

    I also stopped in to the Onalaska, WI Woodman's and no luck there either.

    There was a big empty spot in the cooler at both of the Woodman's where the Ur-Märzen should've been. Nothing was sitting out with the other Oktoberfest displays either.

    Feeling lucky I was able to find some of this season's batch.
     
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  13. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I keep hoping the SE Wisconsin distros haven't written off the season like my local one did, and still put the Märzen on shelves when they can get it from the importer.

    That said, my brother reported none at the Kenosha Woodman's today.

    Who knows anymore. Been drinking the Spaten every season for about 30 years now and I'm pretty disappointed.
     
  14. jkrich

    jkrich Pooh-Bah (1,854) Nov 1, 2001 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Society

    The distribution of Spaten in general seems very odd. Several years ago, I could always grab a six-pack of Spaten Helles (premium), but for the last couple of years, Spaten has disappeared. This year we have had more Oktoberfest choices than in the past, but no Spaten. Despite the green bottles, I have always enjoyed Spaten beer. I fondly recall drinking cans of Spaten in a train station in Munich back in 1994 thinking where to go next. Well, if Spaten had cans back in the stone age, we can't they have them now in the USA?
     
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  15. grantcty

    grantcty Pundit (952) Feb 17, 2008 Minnesota
    Trader

    It really makes you wonder what the management at the brewery in Munich is doing--or what kind of direction they're getting from the higher ups. If they really did want to sell the brands, one could rationally assume that they would want to have their collective shit together.
     
  16. bonsainut

    bonsainut Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2014 North Carolina

    My assumption is that the problem isn't with production - they obviously have plenty of Spaten at the Oktoberfest. Also, now that I am Linked In buddies with the Germany country director and the Spaten brewery manager, I can see all their posts, and they are all talking about great production runs and having fun at Oktoberfest (since there has been a two year hiatus). I think the issue is with Import Brands... and their inability to get product out to distributors.

    FWIW I AM seeing product availability in some retailers scattered around the country. For example Bevmo (148 stores west coast) has it. Giant Food stores (190 stores in central east coast) has it. Total Wine does not.
     
  17. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    While I agree with everything in your assessment, especially about Import Brands, don't forget that Spaten exports a different beer to the U.S. than they serve at the Fest.

    But maybe this is another clue -- is the Märzen on the way out? Maybe we'll see Spaten Festbier from now on?

    Be interesting to see if your connections mention anything about brewing for export.
     
  18. bonsainut

    bonsainut Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2014 North Carolina

    Just going to say, if they kill the product, I am going to start home-brewing.
     
  19. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I like Paulaner & H-P well enough, but they're not the same. :confused:
     
  20. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,677) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I read this while eating a scrambled egg and German sausage sandwich. I made a small little mess, involuntarily, just short of my plate. All's AOK now.....I'm a Spaten fan going way back.