Fresh Fall Beer Sightings 2025

I honestly have no idea if Schell's is doing another batch of their Oktoberfest. My guess is probably not.

 

Fat Head's Oktoberfest made it to Ocala FL yesterday. $15.99 a 6-pack, canned 7-11-2025.

 

Starting to see more and more of them on the shelves now.

 

I received my weekly email from a local beer retailer (Capone’s in Norristown, PA) and it would seem that in the middle of our fourth heat wave of the summer that fall has arrived?

16oz 4pk Cans

Erdinger

Oktoberfest



12oz 6pk Cans

Von Trapp

Oktoberfest



12oz 6pk Cans

Warsteiner

Oktoberfest



12oz 6pk Bottles

Hofbrau

Oktoberfest

Prost!

@Bavarican

 

Yep, just like every other late July and August

 

Almost always my first Oktoberfest purchase. Highland Brewing Clawhammer Märzen. Usually just see the bottles. I think this is the first I've seen cans in my area.

 

According to Dave Berg (aka schellbrewer at Bluesky, formerly bergbrew here) August Schell will release a "Fall sample pack" which will include this beer brewed with wild rice, created by brewer Jordan Walls:

 

I would love to try that beer, well any Schells beer really but that seems like a pretty cool idea.

 

I can’t bring myself to drink oktoberfests when it’s hot out. It’d be like putting up a Christmas tree on Mother’s Day.

 

Find a MN trade partner (that's how I've done it). Flying Fish's Exit Series had (#16) Wild Rice Double IPA (2010) and I think this is not Schell's first use of wild rice.

I'd probably go with MN wild rice over what one might find around NJ Tpk. Exit 16 aka "the swamps of Jersey" (where one might stumble upon an enemy of the Sopranos "sleeping with the fishes").

 

Yeah but Rhode Island is going to be one the last places where the fall beers start showing up. I still havent seen any this past week. Im very curious to see if they start showing up next week or not. Based on my personal records they didnt show up here until the first week of August last year. Zero Gravity Oktoberfest was the first one that I saw that showed up here and I purchased last year on August 9th.

 

Christmas is over 7 months after Mother’s Day. We’re less than two months from the first day of Oktoberfest in Munich. Which technically starts during the last few days of summer and ends less than two weeks into fall.

 

Another late July day - another marzen / Festbier!

I like this one!

#properglassware

 

I've no doubt that my conception of Oktoberfest is different than the actual festival. But that's what happens with holidays/cultural events over time. For me, Oktoberfests have come to represent a very specific time of year and I like to hold-off on them until that time of year. Oktoberfests are arguably my favorite style and I think part of the reason is because I deliberately deprive myself of them.

 

FWIW I am simpatico here. Just something about drinking an Oktoberfest beer with some 'crispness' in the air makes for an extra special drinking experience.

At this moment in time the real feel temperature in my area (Philly suburbs) is 104 in the shade (114 in the sun) with a dew point of 77 degrees. I have zero (actually less than zero) desire to drink an Oktoberfest beer now. And the thought that these beers are sitting at my local Retail Beer Distributors in non-cool temperatures, baking, is less than ideal.

Cheers!

 

I agree July is a bit much for these beers. However there are also outdoor beer gardens at Oktoberfest. Good weather is ideal, also Munich is cooler in October than our area (RI/MA).
Here's why they moved it to September from October:

Suitable Munich Weather in September

The desire for better weather primarily drove the decision to move Oktoberfest to September. Munich can be unpredictable, with cooler average temperatures between 5℃ (lowest) and 19 ℃ in October with higher rain chances. This chilly weather is not suitable for overcrowded outdoor festivals. In contrast, September usually brings warmer and more consistent weather than October in Munich. By shifting the festival to September, the Munich administration aimed to take advantage of these more favorable conditions, ensuring attendees could enjoy the event in a more comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.

Extended Daylight and Duration for Festival
Shifting Oktoberfest to September also benefits from extended daylight hours. Munich enjoys longer daylight, having an average duration of 13 hours in September compared to 11 hours in October, allowing more time to explore and enjoy the festival each day. This extra daylight helps maximize the festival experience, giving visitors more time to participate in activities and enjoy the atmosphere. While initially only the 5-7 day fest, it extended to a 14-16 day event after the 1870s when it was moved to September for the first time.

 

Heat index of 97° currently in my backyard. I'm drinking a Pils. Even a "Festival Lager" sounds oppressive to me right now.

September 20th isn't exactly the dog days. I've been to a few of the inaugural tappings in Munich and the weather was, indeed, perfect. It's toward the end of the Fest that the monsoons seem to come.

In the meantime, I'll look for Fest releases, but I think I'll wait for the heatwave to subside before I crack a bottle or can.

 

I guess my position is that I have my own little private conception of when Oktoberfests should be consumed and, though that conception likely differs from actual oktoberfests, I’m ok with that. It’s not unlike celebrating Christmas, honestly. Christmas has a very special meaning and set of traditions in my family, all of which differ tremendously from the original purpose of the celebration (especially when considering the fact that I’m an atheist, ha).

Now, if I were actually in Germany, I’d likely partake and partake enthusiastically in whatever Oktoberfest events I could, regardless of the weather. The communal element of it all seems awesome and I’d like to be a part of it. Until then, a 16 oz. can of “Copper Legend” (one of my favorites) at 4 PM on a 53 degree Sunday while I watch the giants get destroyed by the eagles are the customary activities of my little Oktoberfest.

 

We have a heat index of 100 degrees. There's no Oktoberfests yet in my area to persuade me though, so Pilsners it is.

 

Picked up Jack's Abby Banner City in advance of such weather. I've never had it before. Pretty good stuff.