Fresh Fall Beer Sightings 2025

Same here, but I watched them dwindle away. Now I see six-packs of Premium and Optimator (new packaging format), but haven't looked for Franzi.

FWIW -- 2010 is the last time I saw the Maibock.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/142/3744/?ba=steveh#review

 

Alewerks pumpkin ale was on the shelf at the Wegman's in Alexandria today, and looked like it had already been shopped.

 

Well, it's not Palo Santo or Burton Baton, but it's at least a sign that Sam hasn't completely forgotten his grand past.

Even though I was never a big fan of Punkin, this will be worth a 12 pack pick up if I see it. But, I certainly won't hunt for it.

 

I really like Left Hand O-fest but I've noticed that the price keeps creeping up every year.

I can get Von Trapp, which I like almost as much, for less.

 

Always a buy for me. The only thing is that they've been consistently doing Festbier collabs for the past few years. I wish they would switch it up by doing a Marzen-style collab now and then.

 

Thoughts/impressions? Looks as if the collab partner (Stortebeker, new to me) has a robust portfolio of more than 20 beers on its roster of offerings.

 

Sierra Nevada did 5 German collabs - 2015 / 16 / 18 / 19 / 23 over the past 10 years - just an FYI

This year's version is a collab with Stortebeker - a nice looking festbier
https://sierranevada.com/brews/oktoberfest

 

My first Okto-fest brew of this season - and it is a tasty Ohio made brew - I like it!



Heart State Octoberfest

 

More than that. They took a break for a few years during Covid, but, other than that, the collabs have been annual since 2015. In fact, I checked my old ratings and I scored the 2017 version with Miltenberger as the highest since the collabs began.

Last year's collab was with Brauerei Gutmann and it was pretty good.

My point is that since returning from the Covid break, they've only done Festbier styles. Before Covid, they mixed it up with some years being Marzens and some years being Festbiers. Since they haven't done a Marzen recently, I'm hoping that they consider one in the next few years.

Either way, I'm always in for a case (at least) every year.

 

The Flannel Fest is one of the best beers they’ve put out in a while

 

Agreed. I wish they had it in standalone 6-packs.

 

Couple of Ohio marzens.....fresh in July 2025

 

Schell’s just tapped their Octoberfest in the brewery Bierhalle…fresh & fantastic!

 

I thought it was really good. I only had one while playing shuffleboard so I didn’t do a proper review but I found it super drinkable, kinda balance between fest and marzen. More on the fest side but I did get some malt character like a toasty/biscuit sweet flavor. I found it fairly mellow on the hop aroma, flavor and bitterness but I drink a lot of ipas so I sometimes i find things not hoppy at all while otherwise do. I don’t live in Chico but was visiting a friend who does. I am definitely picking up a 12er when it’s available to me in Southern California.

the 20oz pour went down super easy. Would have gotten another one or two but they had some brewery only ipas and their new Pilsner on draft.

 

I didn't want to do it, but I ordered Schell's Oktoberfest for the store. The distributor is only getting one drop of it, and Schell's will be the monthly beer special for August. I did pass on other Oktoberfest beers. I am hoping to hold out on them till August.

 

Do you have any insight as to whether Schell's is producing multiple batches, over time, of their Oktoberfest? For example another batch that will be sent out of the brewery mid-August?

I suppose for you as a retailer the above might be academic since you need to obtain this beer from a wholesale distributor and they decided to just make one (big?) order from Schell's and the only batch available to you is the July released batch.

Cheers!

 

Interesting its coming back for the 3rd year in a row while lots of their variety pack beers over the years are 1 and done. Too bad the Festbier went away after 2 years I think.

 

Their Festbier has remained on tap in their tap rooms (and in cans to-go if I recall). This obviously doesn't help people who don't live near those breweries.

 

Absolutely, that would be perfect for the fall. I would enjoy that much more than their Oktoberfest.

 

Yeah hopefully they finally decide to replicate more traditional styles in the future (I know it’s a lot to ask for lol).