Oktoberfest suggestions

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by jcattey, Sep 10, 2015.

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  1. jcattey

    jcattey Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2014 Wisconsin

    I am putting together an Oktoberfest dinner at my house in the next few weeks. There will be some serious beer people in attendance, but also a few who have maybe never tried a marzen or oktoberfest beer in their lives. I would like to get a good assortment of marzens for people to try, likely 4 american and 4 german or something to that effect.

    Anyone have any recommendations on good marzens to include for some of the people who are new to the style or maybe some people who generally drink mostly pilsners/hefes?


    Any help is greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 jcattey, Sep 10, 2015
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  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I'll add my 4 favorite German Oktoberfests because I've decide they're what I'll probably buy exclusively from now on:

    Spaten Oktoberfest Ür Märzen
    Ayinger Oktober Fest Märzen
    Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest
    Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen (Amber)

    Runners up: Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier and Weihenstephaner Festbier

    Since you're in Wisconsin (Midwest) I'll suggest Schell's Oktoberfest, New Glarus Oktoberfest, Lakefront Oktoberfest, and Sierra Nevada's of this year. Runner up: Summit Oktoberfest (beware the strength) and Point's isn't all bad either.
     
    #2 steveh, Sep 10, 2015
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  3. Uniobrew31

    Uniobrew31 Pooh-Bah (1,567) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    U.S Brewers suggestions
    Sierra Nevada is a must
    Great Lakes

    German
    Ayinger
    HofBrau
    Paulaner Weisn'
    Weihenstefaner

    I am sucker for the German offerings!
     
    #3 Uniobrew31, Sep 10, 2015
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  4. JMS1512

    JMS1512 Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2013 New Jersey

    I came here to say Great Lakes and Paulaner. You beat me to it.
     
    #4 JMS1512, Sep 10, 2015
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  5. tillmac62

    tillmac62 Pooh-Bah (2,859) Oct 2, 2013 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    GL, Left Hand, SN for US based.

    Hacker-Pschorr, Ayinger, for German based
     
    #5 tillmac62, Sep 10, 2015
  6. costanzo_mike

    costanzo_mike Pooh-Bah (2,848) Jul 17, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Ayinger Oktoberfest is my absolute favorite. Paulaner, Spaten close behind.
     
    #6 costanzo_mike, Sep 10, 2015
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  7. Yargamo

    Yargamo Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2015 New York

    You're in Wisconsin, Germanville USA - and you are asking us?
     
    #7 Yargamo, Sep 10, 2015
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  8. PatrickCT

    PatrickCT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,776) Feb 18, 2015 Connecticut

    Another vote for both Ayinger and Weihenstaphaner. This would be cool too:
    [​IMG]
    As far as domestic Oktoberfest I think Sierra Nevada is the best. And Great Lakes. Sam Adam's is OK. Good luck and have fun!
     
    #8 PatrickCT, Sep 10, 2015
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  9. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    SUMMIT!

    ebrace the stremph
     
    #9 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 10, 2015
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  10. Hendrick24

    Hendrick24 Pooh-Bah (1,949) Sep 6, 2013 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Along with the great suggestions above, look for Metropolitan Afterburner Okt. Very tasty stuff, available in WI though in limited quantities.
     
    #10 Hendrick24, Sep 10, 2015
  11. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,193) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I actually like Peak's Hop Harvest Oktoberfest as a cool Americanized version. Makes for a good change of pace next to all the others where the hopping is much more moderate.
     
    #11 EnronCFO, Sep 10, 2015
  12. jcos

    jcos Pundit (802) Nov 23, 2009 Maryland

    Mini kegs are always fun.
     
    #12 jcos, Sep 10, 2015
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  13. TheGator321

    TheGator321 Initiate (0) May 29, 2013 Connecticut

    IMO, there is no option other than proper German Octoberfests. Theyre usually pretty cheap for a sixer too.
     
    #13 TheGator321, Sep 10, 2015
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  14. deadsincebirth

    deadsincebirth Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2014 Illinois

    Schlafly
     
    #14 deadsincebirth, Sep 10, 2015
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  15. LaughingGargoyle

    LaughingGargoyle Initiate (0) Sep 10, 2015 North Carolina

    Ayinger

    Paulaner Spaten Leinenkugel Great-Lakes
     
    #15 LaughingGargoyle, Sep 10, 2015
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  16. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Have they changed this up at all from last year? I was pretty disappointed in it then, especially considering how well Metro handles German styles. It was just too nutty and roasty for my Oktoberfest liking.
     
    #16 steveh, Sep 10, 2015
  17. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Sierra Nevada doesn't use Marzen in its labeling, just a Fest Lager, but it's a tad crisper and a bit more hops than say Ayinger. I like it a bit better as well.
     
    #17 nc41, Sep 10, 2015
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  18. racer2k

    racer2k Pundit (895) May 21, 2004 Massachusetts

    Prost! For All Oktoberfesters' !
     
    #18 racer2k, Sep 10, 2015
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  19. The_Snow_Bird

    The_Snow_Bird Grand Pooh-Bah (3,557) May 7, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree, for domestic Sierra Nevada is a good choice.
     
    #19 The_Snow_Bird, Sep 10, 2015
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  20. thespaceman

    thespaceman Pundit (799) Oct 5, 2008 Connecticut

    I love the Sierra this year, this one is really the stand out on the shelves. Crisp, easy to quaff and just the right amount of hops. They hit a home run this year with it.
     
    #20 thespaceman, Sep 10, 2015
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