Random Ofest Blind Taster

I use to drink the hell out of Hacker-Pschorr around 10-15 years ago but then they changed importers and the new ones increased the price $4 a 12-pack and have not had it since. It was far cheaper than even Paulaner or Spaten.

 

No corresponding asterisk -- which one is "this," Leinie's?

FWIW -- I've been able to note subtle differences in Paulaner & Hacker-Pschorr Amber Märzens in past years, but this year's have seemed identical to me.

I plan on doing my own side-by (semi blind -- I like to note color and head as is done in beer competitions) in the next couple days.

 

I've really never been into Oktoberfest beers, not sure why (maybe because I hate to let go of Summer and want to drink lagers until Winter). I want to get into the style more so I picked up a 6 of Bell's the other day. I thought it was good but was a little surprised by how mild the flavors were- I think I was expecting pumpkin beer flavors. Nevertheless, I will be picking up a couple German okto's on my next bottle shop visit.

 

To my palate Paulaner & H-P are much drier than Spaten. Spaten's softer mouthfeel enhances its toasty breadiness for me.

 

But, but, but,...
Oktoberfest beers ARE lagers! (yeah, I got what you meant... ).

Pumpkin spiced Oktoberfests???

 

Um. Why?

 

Don't. Just -- don't.

 

Nahh, I welcome this chaos

 

Different, yet no reason to turn down any of the three.

FWIW -- I did my blind side-by of Paulaner & H-P this afternoon, but forgot to upload the pics. I'll get to it tomorrow -- nothing terribly revealing, but I'll document it anyway.

 

Funny that you posted this. I used to buy many 6- packs of Octoberfests. Used to be my favorite beer time of year, now takes second-place to Winter/Xmas (which if this years season creep is any indication should start to see in a few weeks).
Anyway, after a bunch of years of Paulaner was turned on to Hacker-Pschorr and found I liked it better. Jump cut to this year, and my only purchase has been Ayinger, which I find superior, green bottles be damned. But on my way out of a local supermarket today what do I see but HS, for $11.99, a great price around here. And seeing as how I'd just been thinking about HS, figured its karma, gotta do it.
Haven't drunk any of them yet, too hot for my tastes. Waiting for the first/next crisp September day, and then whammo. Still need to stock up on some Tilsit cheese and smoked salami sausages.

 

What are you finding in green bottles?

 

Guessing you mean H-P (Hacker-Pschorr)?

 

My bad. I got confused by the Ayinger green label. Duh.

 

Providing clarity, (although you know what I meant) I want to drink yellow, not-too-malty lagers until Winter. And I don't really know why I group Okto's and pumpkin spice flavors together. I think it may be because anything in the Fall strangely equates to pumpkin spices for me, even though I'm not too much into those flavors.

 

Nor am I, but Autumn has always meant Oktoberfest time to me. Maybe because Oktoberfest beers have been around longer than pie-spiced gourd beer.

 

Okay, here are my findings from yesterday's side-by (beers unknown to each glass).



I found the 2022 Paulaner & Hacker-Pschorr Amber Märzens to be identical in look, smell, mouthfeel -- and almost in flavor. The only difference I found was one had a fleeting, lightly sweet breadiness in the initial sampling, but it was soon overcome by the dryish malt and yeast character that made it identical to the other.



The Paulaner had that fleeting breadiness. And, FWIW, the two beers seem to be on-par with my memory of the two from last year's samplings.