2020 Oktoberfests

Trying to find fresh marzen can be a task, but I’m looking forward to trying a few new ones this year.

 

Weihenstephaner Fest is usually my favorites of the Germans. And this year was no exception. Currently crushing SN Oktoberfest, a very drinkable beer. Perfect hybrid of fest and marzen. Worked through a 4-pack of Jacks Abby. Sweeter than I like, but more for the Sam Adams Oktoberfest crowd I think. Love this time of year.

 

Ugh, another lager thread, and a crappy Oktoberfest one at that...in AUGUST!

Thanks for starting this, love these threads.

I find it interesting you think Spaten is lighter, I often perceive it as the darkest and most robust of the imports.

And it’s about the FURTHEST thing from what they serve in the tents on the Wiesn as you can get.

That being said, I totally get the drinkable part. It’s oh-so-smooth and drinkable (as you mention).

How fresh do you want them?

Some of them are bottled in May/June, so not too shabby.

 

Agreed all around (except for the SN, since I haven't had it yet).

I think we might be in the minority with how we feel about Jack’s Abby’s. I like it, I just don’t love it like most people.

I’ve always found Ayinger’s (well used to find, I don’t care for it as much as I used to) to be a ‘tweener between pale and amber, does Sierra Nevada’s rendition compare to that?

 

Yeah, it’s definitely a tweener. Hits all the right notes for me

 

Had two Connecticut OFs today: Two Roads and NEBCO. Both enjoyable and will be buying more. Now that I am buying OFs it must be time to think about cleaning the wood stove and the furnace, I suppose...

 

Haven't had a ton this year yet, so far just Sam Adams (always delicious), Copper Legend from Jack's Abby, and Steinbier (although, just labeled a Marzen) from Night Shift. Looking to get my hands on the SN of course, Berkshire (my absolute fave), and Ayinger. I always had a personal rule to wait until Sep 1 to have one, but I just couldn't wait this year.

 

So far this year I’ve had Jack’s Abby’s Copper Legend, and Sierra Nevada’s Octoberfest. Both were excellent! I almost pulled the trigger on wormtown’s Octoberfest the other day, but opted for SN instead.

 

Ah ok that makes perfect sense. I feel it’s full of flavors of dark bread, whereas lighter amber Oktoberfests give me some lighter bread notes in addition to dark breads.

And then pale versions are obviously all Graham cracker and biscuit like flavors to my palate.

I hear you on the porter/stout front. The roasted bitterness can get to me, they’re not as smooth. I feel like having those styles on cask can smooth that out though. But it’s been awhile since I’ve had either from a firkin.

 

New England’s Schnitzengiggles is in distro right now. Counterweight’s Fest Bier is popping up too. Fox Farm’s Tines shouldn’t be far off. Had East Rock’s and it was delicious.

 

Hoffbrau won me over last year since it seems it was the freshest of the German imports. Been searching & calling all over for a mini-keg with no luck. Got some bottles the other day which are tasting quite nice.

Weihenstephaner & Paulaner Wiesn are the 2 other ones in rotation starting around now.

SN’s festbier collab last was by far the worst of them. I’m sure I’ll get to this year’s soon.

 

Saw the Hofbrau mini kegs at Ball Square my friend.

I actually like the SN Oktoberfest...as a beer.

Not as an Oktoberfest. I don’t feel it’s necessarily a ‘tweener style, but I get it.

Definitely felt “Pils-like”. But honestly the best way to describe it is just as a solid pale lager.

Not Czech, not German, not American...just its own thing.

Prost!

Na zdraví!

Cheers!

 

Am I the only one absolutely fawning over Bitburger's Festbier? I need more people to get on this one so I don't feel so lonely.



This beer is the perfect balance of a crisp, lighter-bodied festbier and the caramel-y, bready, hefty Märzen style. Plus, holy hell... look at that head and lacing! Need more people to be crushing these with me. Think it has replaced Hacker-Pschorr as my favorite.

 

You make a strong case. I'll be on the lookout for it next trip to the store.

 

Perfect, thx for the advice. Headed there tomorrow.

 

Picked up a six pack for $8.99 at bevi in VT. Loving it, very crushable will pick up a couple more.