2019 Oktoberfests

No Counter Weight Fest Bier for you? It’s in distribution now.

 

Probably because it’s MUCH fresher (I assume).

Which amber ones have you had this year? (Both imported and US)

 

Definitely a very solid beer. Clean is a very good description, really drinkable, but to get that clean it's giving up some depth, that's my take anyway. Still one of the top one's I've had, not that I've had many, but we're just getting started, despite when the show up on the shelf. Oh, and this beer is the best value play ever. $10.99/six of pints, yes please

 

Hofbrau/Weihenstephan

 

Have not had it. Been stupid busy and have not been to package store in a bit. Good news is I have drank most of my beer fridge. It was getting out of hand.

 

Just an FYI for those who go to Magoun's and noticed Spaten and Paulaner Marzen are absent this year.

Five Horses in Davis has a good list too, which includes these two among others like Weihenstephan, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, and randomly Victory's Festbier.

 

Now is my bi-monthly lament about packaging. The Notch festbier is spectacular, as we all assumed it would be. Really enjoy the pint format because I think that style of beer lends itself to being poured in nice festive glassware.

But man ... four packs really stink. For $12.99, getting just four beers is such a letdown. This, of course, is not exclusive to Notch or festbiers. I just know that my stash will almost certainly be exhausted tonight (Whereas it would not be if I had four left instead of two. I'm mostly a two-beer-per-session kind of guy).

 

It's in the same ball park. Many Festbiers are simply stronger Helles (or Spezial). Our Fest Bier and Helles Spezial differ in grain bill with Fest having Munich in addition to Pils malt, but the Pils malt variety is much different. IBU's are higher on the Fest Bier as well.

The biggest difference is the wort production. Helles Spezial is step infused and not decocted, as very low hot side aeration is critical for some specific ester creation in that beer. Festbier is decocted, and while a delicate difference, the malt character is unique.

Hope that helps.

 

Just tried counter weight. It’s tied for third with Jack Abbys, But Jackie Abby’s is two dollars cheaper for a six pack rather than just a four pack. Obviously they’re in a different scale with the size of their brewery and how long they been around for but I would not grab more than one four pack. Jack Abbys I’ve gotten 2x 6 packs so far and will probably grab another one. Also I picked up zero gravity’s Oktoberfest and also Benedicters, But have not tried yet.

 

One vote for Wormtown Octoberfest. Dry with a nice hop accent.

 

Legit best can design I've seen this year. Beer was fine, maybe even above average.

On the other hand...
Anyone try Berkshire Life on Marzen this year? Want to know if it was just me that got pretty ridiculous diacetyl levels.

 

Interesting that you say that.... I had their Czech style Pilsner on draft over the summer and it reeked of Diacetyl! First time I noticed it so pronounced....goes without saying that BBC certainly dropped a notch or two in my book, and I won’t be checking out their marzen any time soon.

 

I did not like it at all but I thought I just had a little diacytl

 

Thanks! Very interesting.

Do they have different yeast strains? Or do you use the same strain for all lagers?

That’s disappointing. I really like their Busker Pils but I didn’t have it this year.

 

I didn’t get any D in mine and I rather enjoyed it, for what it is at least, and that’s not a marzen

 

Good news, this year's Busker was not good.

I have a real soft spot for BBC but man, that place needs a hip replacement.

 

Was slow to revisit the Von Trapp oktoberfest because I remember it being oddly and dissapointingly hoppy last year. Glad I gave it another chance this year, it's my favorite domestic marzen so far this time around. Much improved.

 

to file under the pleasant surprises.....
Was picking up eggs at roche bros in downtown crossing and von trapp oktoberfest $9.99 for a 6 pack (also the pilsner same price). Walked out with eggs, turkey bacon and 2 6 packs. I prefer the zero gravity but for less than $10 a 6er, von trapp gets the nod for overall value