2020 Oktoberfests

I really liked this beer last year. But this year it missed the mark for me.

I don’t know that I’d necessarily call it caramel on my palate, but it tasted like a classic missed American attempt at an amber Oktoberfest. More brown ale-like if anything.

 

Shout out for the Tap (Haverhill) festbier. Malty & smooth, easy drinker.

 

Added Paulaner Marzen and Hacker-Pschorr to the list this week. For being a marzen I thought HP was pretty light and super crushable. Paulaner had slightly more hop presence to my plate than most of the marzens I’ve been drinking, save for maybe von trapp, but Paulaner finished super smooth, like a disappearing act for the hops. Pretty impressive.

At this point, my favorites this year have been Weihenstephan for fests, and Ayinger for marzens.

 

I've noticed a bit more Festbiers compared to their malty counterparts this year. Which admittedly I haven't really tried because I enjoyed Oktoberfest's. SN's has been great and very welcomed however JA's Copper Legend was delicious and SA's Oktoberfest hits all the nostalgic notes as well. I want to search out a few more and may do a Mix a 6 this weekend.

 

You've noticed more pale Oktoberfests (Festbiers) domestically? Personally I haven't. Which one's have you seen?

Imported it's the usual suspects from previous years, with the recent addition (last year I think?) of Friesing's.

 

Heads up that JA is released their "Munich style fest bier" yesterday If you're not near the brewery, it's supposed to see a little distribution so be on the look out. I think it was brewery-only last year and if it's like last year's version I highly recommend it. It's more pale than Copper Legend so if that's what you'd prefer... my only rub is that I think it's 6%. Would love it to be 5%.

 

Looking forward to this one. But they said it will be available starting Friday.

 

Had a couple Sierra Nevadas this week and I thought they tasted better now then a few weeks ago...

 

Definitely enjoyed the SN Oktoberfest as well as Threes Brewing’s Oak Aged Festbier, Far Between. Was disappointed in vonTrapp Oktoberfest this year. Enjoyed on tap but cans fell short for me.

 

Well then it would just be a Helles wouldn't it?

The six Munich breweries' Oktoberfests at the tents are 5.8% to 6.3%.

The whole intention of Oktoberfest bier is to get rocked. While drinkable, they're definitely too high to really be "sessionable". You just kinda go in knowing...hey, I'm drinking 6% beer a liter at a time, shit's gonna happen.

Probably the Spalter Select (orange-ish character) fading and the malt pulling through more.

 

Same here. A bit more malty.

 

Yeah fair point, I forget that's the norm at Oktoberfest, so I hear. I think it's just my selfish personal interests to have it lower in ABV. For some reason I want it lower than copper legend.
Regardless, glad it's coming back. And thanks to @Capt_Quint for correcting the date

 

Just drink House Lager I guess?

 

If anyone is looking for a local fest beer in MA, try and find Dorchester Brewing's Fest Bier. I thought it was delicious. The brewery itself is awesome, got some good food too.

 

Notch’s is a pale Oktoberfest too, unfortunately cans sold out in a few days, but it’s still on draft I believe.

 

Agree, that was a disappointment for me too, since I like most other beers from Schilling.

I think I'm going back to another Hoffbrau mini-keg for the upcoming weekend. Feel like I've sampled most of the fest-biers this season, so I'm returning to the classic.

 

Yup same here, I think I've torn through mostly everything and my fridge is STOCKED with all kinds of other lager goodies now.

Might pick up some Paulaner Marzen/Weihenstephan Oktoberfestbier since those were my favorites this year if I pick up any Oktoberfests at all. I've noticed them dwindling on the shelves already too.

Also might grab some drafts that have popped up around my area. Otherwise, the season is wrapping up for me as it always does this time of year since I start in August.

Ohh, forgot CBC's Fall Fest next weekend too which will have Oktoberfests and pumpkin beers.

 

Looks like they listened to you. The website has it listed at 5.4%

 

That’s not authentic at all! It’s probably terrible.

 

My work here is done