Founders Oktoberfest Returns

Victory has them beat by two weeks. They release at their taproom today.

 

Founder's top-fermented beers get high reviews from me. Bottom-fermented, not so much.

 

We already have this year's Shipyard Pumpkinhead on the shelves.

 

Never saw it by me last year, hope I can try it this go around.

 

Well I know what I’m drinking this fall. And plenty of it.

 

Frankly I don't care when they release it so long as it's not last year's unsold stock.

 

Going to give their Okto another shot this year. I've not been terribly impressed the two times I've had it but American versions vary so much that maybe it'll surprise me.

 

What's your experience with Okto Martens?

 

Last year I purchased a two week old 15 pack of 12oz cans for $17.00, hoping to do it again this year.

 

Damn auto-correct -- @unlikelyspiderperson

What's your experience with Okto Marzens?

And my system ought to really recognize OKTO MARZEN by now.

 

Oddside was probably my favorite last year, but I had Bells and a few others.

 

If it's available on a singles shelf I may give it a try.

 

Just be aware, and beware, that there are many takes on the style -- but the Bavarians always seem to be the best bets for traditional.

Never had Odd Side, but Bell's is usually pretty good, if not a bit light on character.

If you can find Urban Chestnut, they have a good version. But I usually stick to imports in both the Fest and traditional Amber Märzen styles. Spaten, Hacker Pschorr, Paulaner, HB, Weiehnstephaner, and Ayinger.

Many American brewers cant seem to get past so much caramel malt that their versions become Brown Ales -- the American Oktoberfest has even become another style variation with some style guidelines.

 

I was unaware they were actually 2 seperate styles. I’ll keep my eye out and as usual, I appreciate the insight.

 

Well, these days you can actually count 3: Traditional Amber Marzen, Festbier (Wiesn Fest), and the many Ami Okto interpretations.

Bell's sort of walks the line between Festbier and Traditional Amber without really stepping into the Ami Okto realm.

Based on its reviews, it looks like the Odd Side is more Ami Okto. But so many reviewers misinterpret a melanoidin character with candied caramel, it's difficult to tell.

 

So, the Winter Warmers will be out next week?
Everyone brings their seasonals out way too friggin' early anymore.
God forbid you want a Pumpkin beer, sometime around Thanksgiving, forget it, they're gone 3 month prior.
Summer Ales in early Spring, Oktoberfest/Märzen in August......
Whatever....that's why I homebrew.

 

Fuck the idea of seasonals, I like to be able to grab for a style whenever I’m feeling it, most of them trickle out through their actual seasons anyways

 

This is close to what I would've said had you not beat me to it.