Fall Beer Sightings (2023)

Adding perspective from Germany regarding the early arrival of fall/fest beers in July/August…it happens here too! These two (mediocre Festbiers) hit shelves in local grocery stores in late July.

 

I saw this in my local shop Friday (Jul 28). Considering I walked around and checked dates on many 6 packs and found they ranged from 1 month old to 1 year old, I was scared to buy thinking it was last years leftovers. I’ll think I’ll head back in today to get some (but $14.99?)

 

Most years here in GA, I've seen retailers put the new Weihenstephaner Festbier out late July/early August. We got the 16 oz cans last year, which I actually like better than the 11.2 oz bottles but I have yet to see those. I paid $13 for a six pack but I wouldn't mind paying $15. I just love the style and Weihenstephaner and Hofbrau make two outstanding versions. It's worth it to me to drink something I enjoy that much, especially a seasonal beer.

 

Weihenstephaner is pricing itself right out of my budget just like Augustiner has.

It will be interesting to see how long before their six-packs grow dusty on shelves, too.

FWIW -- my local still has Ayinger .5 liter and 4-packs from last year. I think that's also a sign of their gradual uptick in pricing.

 

I paid $13 here in GA but I'm guessing the difference is mostly the difference in alcohol tax. But, that is pricy, especially for those unfortunate 11.2 oz bottles.

 

Just checked my local, it's $14 a six-pack, but the 4-pack of cans is $10. (that's without alcohol tax)

I can't recall if I saw cans of Fest last year, but my eyes will be open.

 

That's interesting, the16 oz cans are usually more per ounce, seems like. I know a lot of people don't like the 12 oz cans, but I like that format.

 

Well, they're half liter cans and a 4-pack amounts to the same volume as a six-pack, so it's weird to be so much cheaper.

I like the .5 liter cans in German beers -- it's traditional and I have the right glassware!

 

Hmm. The Helles and Weißbier 4-pack cans are listed at $11 at the same retailer -- I wonder if they haven't updated the Festbier yet.

Still, cheaper than the six-pack.

 

German imports are almost always cheaper in cans. A 6-pack of 12oz bottles of Radeberger is at the same price or more expensive than a 6-pack of 500ml cans of Radeberger. I guess that the price is based on weight rather than volume.

 

The Spaten was mediocre?

 

That's the Spaten Wiesnfest -- just for clarification.

I drank a lot of both of those beers on my last trip to Germany. While not the most "wowing" of beers, I would never turn one down.

 

Yup. Just figured none of the Munich Six (now seven right?) wouldn't be good. I've only had Hofbrau, Paulaner, and Augustiner.

 

Not everyone can be Festbier purists like us.

Not just yet.

 

Big change from last year. Last year this stuff started popping up in the last week of July at stores. As of Sunday, nothing so far. Im probably go hit some of the stores I normally go to this week to see if they finally get something in.

 

It's a dummy test for those who refuse to do the math lol. You can pay $10 for 67.6 oz of beer or you can pay $14 for 67.6 oz of beer lol.

 

They tried to teach us the metric system back in the 70s, but it just wouldn't take.

 

Just want to be sure I'm following the Math - 6 pack of 12oz beers....is 72 ounces of beer vs a 4 pack of 16oz beers, is 64oz. Am I missing something?

 

We're talking import Weihenstephaner that is packaged in milliliters. 4-pack cans of .5 liters each. 6-pack bottles of .330 milliliters each (though they add ounce approximates for us Amis. ).

 

Ayinger Oktober-Fest 4-packs and Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier 6-packs just showed up in DFW. My favorite bottle shop just showed them as in-stock today.