2019 Oktoberfests

Discussion in 'New England' started by meefmoff, Aug 11, 2019.

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  1. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Seems like it might be fun to have a central place to blab about this year's round of Oktoberfest beers, local and otherwise (apologies if I missed another thread).

    Really enjoyed JA's Copper Legend even though I tend more towards the pale versions these days. Very much looking forward to finding Paulener. I'm wondering if I got a wonky bottle of Sierra Nevada's new collab though. I know not everyone has loved it, but mine seemed so flat that I think there must have been something wrong with it. Does this review line up with anyone else's examples? I'm just going to link it here so I don't have to re-upload the pictures:

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-755.620761/page-2#post-6592612
     
    #1 meefmoff, Aug 11, 2019
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  2. thedaveofbeer

    thedaveofbeer Savant (1,169) Mar 25, 2016 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I like the thread idea-thanks! I am also interested in folks posting about Octoberfest events in New England that they are excited about! September/October is a busy time at work for me, but I try to attend at least one or two events each fall. Please share!
     
    #2 thedaveofbeer, Aug 12, 2019
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  3. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ah yes, good call!
     
    #3 meefmoff, Aug 12, 2019
  4. Davl22

    Davl22 Maven (1,341) Sep 27, 2011 New Hampshire
    Trader

    Definitely excited about the Schilling Oktoberfest event. It’s a great excuse to get away for the weekend and finally visit the brewery.
     
    #4 Davl22, Aug 12, 2019
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  5. LakesideBrewing

    LakesideBrewing Zealot (604) Dec 1, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I plan on hitting Von Trapp’s Oktoberfest this year. Anyone been?
     
    #5 LakesideBrewing, Aug 12, 2019
  6. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Regarding the thread topic, so far I've just had half my six pack of SN's Oktoberfest collab. Which I haven't really cared for (see more below on that).

    I plan on picking up as many as I see this weekend, as I had to start sifting through my back log of other beers and double IPAs in my fridge first.

    There's a fair amount of bubbles on the glass at the bottom, was it clean?

    Regarding the taste, your description below is spot on. It tastes more brown ale to me than anything else. And too much of that American 2-row pale malt graininess (or what I perceive as that anyways) and not enough breadiness.


    "Taste: Blind I might have guessed this was more of a typical American amber ale rather than a marzen styled festbier. There's a pleasant but sort of generic malty breadiness and not much else."
     
    #6 AlcahueteJ, Aug 12, 2019
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  7. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good point. And the fact that it's such an oversized glass might have exacerbated what would otherwise have only been a mild effect. I did end up having another one (in a normal sized glass) later last night and the head was more normal, though it was still on the weak side, and I still found the beer at least mildly under-carbed for my liking mouthfeel wise (and I'm not one to be fussy about carbonation in general).

    And you're spot on about it being like a brown ale. I was seduced by the color to be thinking more "amber", but those typically have some hops on the back end. A thinner than usual brown ale nails it.
     
    #7 meefmoff, Aug 12, 2019
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  8. SnugTeam6

    SnugTeam6 Devotee (399) Apr 7, 2014 Massachusetts

    Got a 6 pack of Copper Legend a week or so ago, still one of my favorite Jack's Abby beers. Been on the lookout for the new Sierra Nevada collab Oktoberfest, no dice yet.

    Oddly enough, the Wegmans I frequent for beer just has Copper Legend for fall beers so far. Usually by this time each year most brands have them on the shelves.
     
    #8 SnugTeam6, Aug 12, 2019
  9. ctkach

    ctkach Crusader (406) Oct 23, 2007 Massachusetts

    We just sent Brocktoberfest to our distributor this morning so cans and draft should start showing up in the next week or so. At the brewery, we won't be putting it on draft or selling cans another couple weeks though.

    Our Oktoberfest celebration at the brewery will be on Sept 14.
     
    #9 ctkach, Aug 12, 2019
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  10. SunDevilBeer

    SunDevilBeer Pooh-Bah (1,945) May 9, 2003 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Bought a 12 pack of the SN/Bit collab over the weekend and was very disappointed, the worst of the series so far. Frankly it has none of the characteristics of festbier, which is my favorite style of beer.

    As usual I find Copper Legend to be just OK. Von Trapp's is excellent if you're into the malty style.

    Looking forward to getting a Hoffbrau 5L mini-keg once the weather cools down a bit, still enjoying mostly lighter summer-style beers now.
     
    #10 SunDevilBeer, Aug 12, 2019
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  11. M-Fox24

    M-Fox24 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,941) Mar 17, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Silvaticus Oktoberfest is tied into their anniversary come September

    ---

    Bedford is teaming up with Notch for their first Oktoberfest

     
    #11 M-Fox24, Aug 12, 2019
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  12. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Found Weihenstephaner's at Burlington (MA) liquors today but that's the only import they had on hand.

    And that Notch Oktoberfest on the common sounds like it might possibly be kinda sort of moderately okay. :sunglasses:
     
    #12 meefmoff, Aug 12, 2019
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  13. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    It's not Notch's Oktoberfest though right?

    It's Bedford's first Oktoberfest and Notch is just providing the beer, similar to their pop-up beer gardens they do all summer.

    I wonder if Notch's actual Oktoberfest will be pouring there.
     
    #13 AlcahueteJ, Aug 13, 2019
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  14. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I hadn't thought of that distinction actually - though like you I did take note of them not specifically saying Notch's Okto will be on offer. I just liked the idea of an Ofest in a big open field with tents vs. Notch's own more confined (if still great) space.

    When they've hosted their own Oktoberfests in the past do they put them on somewhere other than the brewery?
     
    #14 meefmoff, Aug 13, 2019
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  15. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Nope, at the brewery, this is last year's...

    https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=551849781897628


    We're coming back, better than ever. Liter pours, specially brewed lagers, German food from our friends at Karl's Sausage Kitchen & European Market (Sausage Plate) and Bambolina (Steckerlfisch), Bavarian music from Tubafrau Hofbräu Band (http://www.tubafrau.com/), and other Bavarian traditions (we'll also have an 18 ft Hi Stircker on site). We'll be again taking over a portion of the parking lot, so our capacity will be increased for the event.

    Entry fee of $20 includes custom Steinkrug Maß (ceramic liter mug), live entertainment, and a whole bunch of Gemütlichkeit

    Details:
    $20 entrance fee includes limited edition Notch Steinkrug Maß (while supplies last)
    Teens: $10
    Under 12: Free
    Sorry, no dogs for this event

    Schedule of Events:
    12:00 Doors Open
    12:15 Band takes stage
    1:30 The Ceremonial Tapping of the Festbier w/ Mayor Driscoll!
    2:00 Steinkrug Hoisting (Female & Male divisions) - PRIZES!
    3:00 Best Lederhosen, Best Dirndl - PRIZES!
    -Most Authentic
    -Most Creative
    4:00 The Al Snape second Annual Oktoberfest Dance off! - PRIZES!
    6:00PM See you next year! (The taproom & biergarten will remain open until 8:00PM
     
    #15 AlcahueteJ, Aug 13, 2019
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  16. ChrisLohring

    ChrisLohring Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2010 Massachusetts

    We host this year's Oktoberfest at the brewery on Sunday Sept 22nd.

    https://www.notchbrewing.com/events

    The Bedford Oktoberfest is part of the Mobile Biergarten on Sat Oct 19th

    https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=369088777353145


    We will have our Voll Festbier and Notch Zwickelbier at both, as well as our new Voll Dortmunder and Notch Kolsch at the Salem Oktoberfest.

    Voll Festbier will hit cans for the first time this year in 16oz four packs (only a few hundred cases, most for distribution).
     
    #16 ChrisLohring, Aug 13, 2019
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  17. lbower860

    lbower860 Initiate (0) Jun 28, 2011 Connecticut

    Seems like Fest Biers come out earlier and earlier every year. I refuse to crack one until at LEAST 9/1!
     
    #17 lbower860, Aug 13, 2019
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  18. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I drink the imports as soon as I can.

    Ayinger's was bottled in March last year, making it six months old in September.
     
    #18 AlcahueteJ, Aug 13, 2019
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  19. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thought the Weihenstehaner Festbier was very good. It had an amazing nose of bread, grass and spiciness though it was lighter colored and a bit milder in flavor than I was expecting/remembering. I'm too dumb to remember how that stacks up to last year's or other previous versions.

    Either way it certainly seems made to be pleasant to drink in bulk and they succeeded on that front.
     
    #19 meefmoff, Aug 14, 2019
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  20. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    One of my perennial favorites. Almost always a top 3 - 5 Oktoberfest for me every year.

    If I recall correctly, it's the lightest looking Oktoberfest you'll find.

    What was the date on it?
     
    #20 AlcahueteJ, Aug 14, 2019
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