German Beer Appreciation 2025

It's nice to know that I can get some Oktoberfest biers during my upcoming German trip before the festival starts.

 

I tried 2 this afternoon too. Not blind (yet), but just to take note of characters.

About the only difference I could taste was a slightly different yeast character in Paulaner's aftertaste. Otherwise, malt and hops were identical. And no, no real difference in mouthfeel.

Both samples were bottled in February this year (another coincidence to consider).

 

Did those two beers have similar bottling dates?

Cheers

 

No side-by today, but I found this nice shot of the "different bottles" from last year.


Subtle difference in the Paulaner containers if you look carefully.

 

Funny that you should post this on the day that I went to HB's NYC Bierhaus to see if they were serving the "Märzen." HB's NYC Bierhaus is a spot that has imported beer rather than brewed onsite. There are some spots in my area currently serving the Märzen, but none close enough for me to actually bother. I like their standard Oktoberfestbier more than the "Märzen," but I still try to hunt for the Märzen if it doesn't mean going too much out of my way. I think it's possible that the draft-only Märzen that we get in the US is the same beer that they were previously selling in Europe as their Wiesenbier, but I don't know.

The Bierhaus lists the following as their "seasonal brews": Okto., Maibock, Keller, Märzen, Delicator. Their online menu currently has the Keller as what's on tap and they had the Keller tap-handle in use... but the server told me they were out of the Keller and were serving the Maibock. I asked her when they were getting the Märzen and she said she thinks the Oktoberfestbier was next and then the Märzen would follow that. I can't say that I totally trusted everything I was being told. I guess they had leftover Maibock kegs and maybe they are waiting to tap the Okto.

 

My head hurts

 

How do you think mine feels? It can’t even get a break from itself.

 

Drinking a Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier, unfiltered version. It really is a nice Helles, with a good malt backbone and mouthfeel for the 11% plato, 4.3% abv, with a good balancing hop bitterness and a fresh herbal hop flavor (best before date is june 26) that refreshes you with each sip/gulp. Certainly a beer that is suitable for drinking in volume and which offers everything that a Helles should offer in my opinion. Any smokiness present is very much muted in aroma and taste, this is first and foremost a Helles. And a very good one at that.

 

Patrik, is the other ‘new’ beer from Schlenkerla, Aecht Schlenkerla A La Grodziskie, available to you?

Prost!

P.S. Here is a recent video review of Aecht Schlenkerla A La Grodziskie:

 

It is not available where I live at least. I would love to try it though. The style's abv prevents it from being sold in the monopoly stores as a limited release (which would otherwise be the obvious place for it here) since they sell beer over 3.5% abv, or non alcoholic beer only. Meanwhile grocery stores that could sell it simply wouldn't. Maybe some specialty store in Stockholm would have it or a bar somewhere. I will keep it in mind though.

 

Damn that's flat.