German / Imported Märzens

I went on a beer run last week and still hadnt seen any of the import marzens with the exception of Benediktiner, which I picked up a 4 pack as I remember it getting a lot of love here on BA last season. I'm keeping it in the fridge until 9/1. Hopefully, by then, I will have in my posession the imports (HP, Paulaner, Ayinger, Bitburger, Weihenstephaner) as well as Sierra Nevada's version.

 

I like Hofbrau, but honestly I haven’t looked at all either. Ayinger is typically the first to show, I always buy a 500 ml or two, just confirms I prefer the pale fest beers more. I usually enjoy them but I don’t really hammer them either.

 

Not sure about local breweries but nothing in the few stores I checked this week. Ours is out in two weeks.

 

Love this thread; I just spy on it, take notes, and THEN drink when it's right for the season.
#September here I come. Keep 'em coming, folks! Can't wait to join the festbier love.

 

Ha, I meant American because it’s MORE.

If that makes sense.

Thread related, had this guy last night. Wasn’t really analyzing it, but it was Ayinger Oktoberfest in color. A lighter amber.

It was good, but lacked some depth and felt a tad thin. The bready melanoidin character was dialed back, no way near something like Hacker Pschorr.

Almost felt like an American take on the style, and maybe that’s the point?

 

The Ayingers here are the 2019 batch so I'm not even going to bother.
Otherwise HB, Paulaner, and Weihenstephaner are what we have so far.
HB is definitely the best of the three. A very satisfying beer that still leaves you wanting more.

 

I just went today, & only saw Weihenstephaner. Passed for now, as I can find that almost anywhere, all season & beyond,.... + I was already loaded-up & didn't have a free hand.

 

Is that the Paulaner Wiesn you found? Still haven't seen that anywhere.

 

At Wegmans? The Ayingers, Paulaner, & HB are on the back end cap of the short o'fest row, I almost missed them

 

I didn't see it last year. It's wiesn, both in the novelty 1L can w/1L maß and .3L 6 packs +- $10 each. Oddly the cans were about a month fresher than the bottles

 

I have a bottle each of Paulaner & H-P Marzens chilling for comparison this afternoon. I could swear the Paulaner I poured the other day was lighter than the H-Ps I've had. Stay tuned.

 

Sam The Beer Man.

Wegman's on a Saturday?
Not that it takes particularly long, considering how busy they are, but the noise volume is ....less-than-pleasant. + I really don't want to be around that many people, especially in an enclosed space .

 

That is a thirst provoking picture.

 

Nah, they're the same color. And I'd bet money they're the same beer. Again.

Which is not a real insult as they're both quite good.

 

I made a sacrifice and drank 2 bottles side by side. The looks are identical. The taste is similar, but I don't think they taste the same. Paulaner feels, broader, milder, maltier. H-P is hoppier and more compact.
Disclaimer: Ideally, it would have been a blind test, but I had to settle for "wife's not home and can't stop me" test.

 

my "results" are nearly opposite, if I was to identify any minor differences I'd say H-P is maltier, sweeter -- and Paulaner more dry throughout, though both finish dry and have a mellow herbal hop character throughout.

Yeah, blind would be best, but I think you'd be surprised.

 

So far, in terms of German Festbiers, I have seen these in Eastern Tennessee:

Spaten (I've drank a six, excellent Marzen)
Paulaner
Warsteiner (A Munich, I am drinking on a six right now)

 

Warsteiner is not from Munich. Do you mean it's a "Festbier?"

 

It is listed as an Oktoberfest/Festbier.

 

Hoping Hacker-Pschorr will be as good as ever this year.