Chicagoland Lagers (2022)

Their..? Festbier?

 

If I recall correctly, they categorize Artoberfest as a festbier. It won’t be as pale as the Weihenstephaner / roaring table festbier though. The last 2 years have looked similar to something like Ayinger Octoberfest

 

Did a side by side of Ayinger and Weihenstephaner at TBC this weekend. Great point on the pale aspect. Despite the similar ABV, the Ayinger seemed to drink more heartily with the dark color/malt character.

 

Just an observation, and no real judgment call here because we're talking about fresh beer that has been uncommon for a very long time, but I had a last More Helles this afternoon -- part of a 4-pack purchased a few weeks back, and it's really falling off.

These beers seem to be pretty fragile and need to be consumed right away. I've noticed similar declines in Goldfinger Original and Roaring Table's Vienna.

This is no slam on any of these breweries, but just a warning that fresh beer is as real a food product as bread or milk.

 

I was in Chicago last weekend and picked up four-packs of the Goldfinger Pils and Original. I'll probably drink them this weekend and look forward to being impressed based on this thread.

 

True story! Enjoy them!!!

 

Two lagers impressed me this week.

Solemn Oath makes a marzen named Octoberface. It’s solid. It’s a bit more bitter than the typical Chicago marzen. Good news, solemn oath got a fouder, and threw octoberface in. Good decision. Best foeder lager of the year so far. Waiting for dovetail and Hopewell to get in on the action. I can’t even think of another foeder lager this year. What gives?

Art History Smoketonerfest. Smoked Festbier. The smoke is present on the nose, but doesn’t steal the show. That it translates to the flavor. The smoke shows up late, in the linger. You take a sip, it’s barely there until you’ve finished your sip. Then it grows like the spice in a beautiful salsa. It’s something I’d suggest to anyone looking for an introduction into the smoked beer world. It’s authentic smoke, but at an approachable dose

 

Goldfinger Oktoberfest event was great. Great weather, music, beer, food ect.

Festbier and Marzen are both stellar, as anticipated

 

Did the goldfinger Okto beers get any distribution? Will be down that way for a show next weekend and wondering if it's worth hitting a Binny's on the way. I will call day-of to check, just curious if I'd be wasting my time or not.

 

Nope, unfortunately. Märzen 4 pks were brewery only. Festbier is crowlers/growlers only at the brewery.

ETA: Goldfinger posted the following beers should be seeing release in the next couple months:

- Dunkel (in cans for the first time) & Polish Pils (with Marynka & Lunga hops) next month
- Rauchbier (collab with Maplewood) around Halloween
- Baltic Porter around beginning of December

 

I saw your review of the Marzen...were you able to try the Festbier?

 

Welp, I'll only be heading as far south as Wrigleyville (show's at the Metro) so looks like it'll be a Dovetail kind of trip! Thanks for the info!

 

Was there yesterday at 4. The Festbier was incredible! The Marzen was incredible. I give the nod to Festbier and wish that would have been canned, but I will say that the Marzen is no slouch either and it was by a very narrow margin. No flaws to either beer. Incredible malt profile in each beer. Drinks lighter than most Festbier or Marzen that I have had while still being flavorful and very smooth. I left with a 4 pack and staff said there was still a decent amount of Marzen in cans.

 

Just popping in to give a shout out to Kinslagher in Oak Park, another lager focused brewery in the area. Really impressed with their Festbier this year.

 

I picked up some The 77 Lager from Hidden Hand in Naperville (believe they brew out of Solemn Oath). Pretty solid Lager.

 

Tasted like corn syrup to me.

#trashpalate

#solemnoathsucks

 

Their tap room is pretty small but it's worth a trip to Oak Park if you're into Pils/Lagers. Their Baltic porter is also pretty good to.

 

A handful of medals for IL breweries from this year's GABF, including a few lagers. Congrats to them all.
https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/2022-winners/