German Beer Appreciation 2025

Well my office is in Allgäu, Kaufbeuren which I work at a couple days a week and I saw it in a store there on Wenesday. Allgäuer Büble Festbier as it is called here, not that would matter to you guys across the pond.

 

I think that we would have to rewrite many of the breweries beers from here that ship to the USA. We have found many already in this thread that are different from the ones here. Back when I was one of the Germany moderators at Ratebeer they managed this do to the fact it was more International drinkers there. Not a task that I would want to do now here.

I have already added over 500 Bavarian beers to BA since coming to BA in April.

 

Kudos to you!

I appreciate your efforts to provide insight on the German beer scene!!

Cheers!

 

It is here too, but yes -- I was speaking to the "locals" when I asked the question.

 

Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit!

In a couple of months, I will be visiting family and friends in New Braunfels, TX and once again be attending Wurstfest. A Texas version of the Munich Oktoberfest that runs for 10 days (November 7 – 16 this year) with lots of good food (e.g., wursts), good music (at various tents and venues) and lots of good beer. I will be singing the Ein Prosit song many times during my visits there and hoisting up my mug of beer while singing the song:



To ensure that I am in drinking shape for this year’s event I drank my second Oktoberfest beer on the season last evening: Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen.

This beer is a very tasty and well-balanced Amber Oktoberfest (Märzen) beer.

Prost!

 

Expiring minds need to know Jack, what ceremonial attire will you be rockin' at the Wurstfest? Pic would be welcome!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Unfortunately I do not have any fancy garb to wear.

But wearing silly hats is a thing at Wurstfest. For some reason chicken hats are a thing there.

Since I live in the town of King of Prussia I selected what I term as a Prussian Helmet to this event. Below is a stock photo:



And several years ago we brought down some Bethlehem Musickfest mugs which I 'store' at my sisters house. Below is a photo of what those mugs look like from a recent NBW post:



If I think of it I will have somebody (e.g., my wife, my sister,..) take a photo of me wearing my Prussian Helmet.

Cheers!

 

The Wiesn and Oktoberfest Bier are probably duplicates.

Paulaner had labeled their festbier Wiesn for export, but stopped a couple years ago.

I also notice the Oktoberfest Bier (added 2024) is entered as a Pilsner. Report to be sent.

 

You likely know the name, but for those who don't, it's called a 'pickelhaube'

 

Got my first Oktoberfest Augustiner on tap. Life is good the released here a few days ago.

 

Right you are:

“The history of the Pickelhaube began in 1842 with the introduction of a new type of helmet for the Prussian army. The most striking feature of this helmet was the metal spike attached to its top. The official designation was simply “helmet with spike”.”

Prost!

 

Actually, it's another case of the Munich brewers making a beer for the American market that they don't offer to their own local buyers.

It's a shame, too, because Spaten, Paulaner, and H-P "Original," or as Paulaner used to advertise "Traditional," Märzen are delicious beers that the Bavarians are missing out on.

In the late 90s I was able to find Spaten and Paulaner "traditional" Märzen at locations in town, away from the Wiesn. Not sure they're bothering to provide the beer locally anymore.

Also of note, HB often sends a draft-only traditional Märzen stateside, but I haven't had the opportunity to try it.

@grantcty or @zid -- have you seen it this year?

 

I haven't seen it this year, but there aren't many places getting HB kegs anymore.

Here's the BA entry for it: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4686/621739/

Here's the HB USA description: https://hofbrauhausimport.us/beer/amber-marzen/

 

Hmm. What are you hearing? I still see HB Weizen on tap around here.

 

Nothing I've heard, it's just a general lack of places that have imported German beers on tap. According to their beer finder, there's maybe 10 places that have a HB beer on tap in the Twin Cities.

A couple of these would be a place that would get a seasonal/special release like that Märzen.

 

I just checked their beerfinder and there's 17 places within 10 miles from me with HB on tap. Wow, wouldn't have guessed.

Most are Original and Hefeweizen, but there are a few with the Oktoberfest and Märzen! Gotta call a friend for a guy's night!

 

Do you ever drink much Aktien Brauerei Kaufbueren? I've enjoyed the beers I've had from them over the years, although I don't think they've been imported here for quite a long time.

I enjoyed a bottle of their Dunkel after a cold, windy, and rainy visit to Neuschwanstein at a small imbiss at the bottom of the hill, while my kids warmed up with hot chocolates. This was in spring of 2023