2020 Oktoberfests

Longcross Bar in Medford currently has the same fest lineup as Olde Magoun’s (Rothaus, Ayinger, Weihestephaner, Hofbrau) and I believe they have outdoor seating

 

Probable Oktoberfest rankings so far, best to worst.

Schlenkerla Smoked Marzen
Ayinger Oktoberfest
Jack’s Abby Copper Legend
Bell’s Oktoberfest
Rising Tide Oktoberfest
Sam Adams Oktoberfest
Hofbrau Festbier

still in the fridge - zero gravity, warsteiner, hacker-pschorr

 

That makes sense. It’s understandably confusing that both styles get grouped as Oktoberfests, festbiers and marzens are totally different beasts. I am happy to know you like helles, I mean who doesn’t?!

 

Virginia - one of the stores by me had it on for fills. I haven't seen it on draft at a restaurant yet.

 

I dunno if an Oregonian is allowed to comment on here..but I have been drinking Paulaner Oktoberfest-Marzen..it appears to be fresh and its very affordable..grocer over the street has it for $8.99 a six..i now have a case in the closet.
Als up here Heater-Allen does a fantastic marzen ( Bobtoberfest). and to add much more pleasure Zoiglhaus out of Portland has a Fresh Hop Oktoberfest..and its out of this world tasty.
I love Fresh Hop season

 

I bought a sixer of the Weihenstephaner festbier. I can see why people love it, it's really well made and smooth as hell. But it has an aftertaste I can't quite put my finger on that is offputting to me.

I'll revisit it this weekend.

 

Three, and it’s tight. Luckily it was just two of us.

What didn’t you like about the Hofbrau?

 

LOVED Hofbrau, could be my favorite.

In blind taste test we had
Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen
Sam Adams Oktoberfest
Copper Legend
Brocktoberfest

Paulaner was number 1 by far
Copper legend and Brocktoberfest were tied 2
Sam Adams Oktober was far last, almost undrinkable after tasting the other three. Tasted artificially sweet.

 

it was skunky. Felt a little thin, too.

 

Speaking of NE Oktoberfests, did anyone go to Silvaticus and pick up their offering? I had a friend go and grab me a bottle of the 2019 vintage one aged in wine barrels with Brett (freaking amazing, honestly... I kinda went in thinking it would be dumb but they nailed it), but I'd also like to know how their actual festbier is. I found it interesting they claimed to use Magnum as a bittering hop for it.

 

I feel like I have to save my vintage oktoberfest for Halloween. But I got one of each bottle and a four pack of their oktoberfest. Haven't tried yet. Will try this weekend. Excited.

 

I was recently gifted a crowler of Remnant's Fest Lager. It was... fine. I wouldn't seek it out, but I also wouldn't say no if offered one by a friend.

 

Game-changer. Definitely heading there soon. Thanks for the scouting report.

 

After trying a threesome (I wish) the other day of Weihenstephaner, ZG and Paulaner, I snagged a sixer of the Weihenstephaner today ... Currently out in The 'Zebo quaffing a Litre stein of it.... Definitely brings me back to the recent Oktoberfests in München.... So hard after 15-20+ years to recall what the Bier there actually tasted like vs. today... That's why we need time machines!!! A nice side by side.... that and I can go back to around '69 to '73 and see The Who live..... I do have pix of all the Biers I've had at the Fest since '86, but lighting and exposure may not be similar in all, so hard to get a solid feel on the color aspect....

Prosit!!

 

Problem with getting good imported Märzens is trying to figure out the multitude of different bottling codes they all use in Germany.... Prosit!

 

I remember when you posted all of them in the Germany forum, that was one of the coolest slide shows ever on Beeradvocate.

But I agree, it was really hard to tell if there was a difference in color over the years.

So true, but luckily Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr are easy enough to decipher with the best by date a year from bottling.

Others are more difficult, but not terrible. A mixture of Julian dating and Weihenstephan’s whacky dating scheme. I can’t recall any of the usual suspects for imported Oktoberfests that don’t date them these days.

Beggars can’t be choosers I suppose, as this is the one time of year you can find a multitude of fresh German imports.

 

A buddy of mine who attends OF in Munich often (though not as frequently as you) reports that the Hoffbrau mini-kegs are nearly identical to what you get in their tents. On my 2nd one now, delicious! Prosit!

 

Sounds about right...

 

So far this year I've tried:

Spaten Oktoberfest - meh
Jack's Abby Copper Legend - good
Hacker-Pschorr Marzen - excellent

Trying to find Konstantin, Hofbrau, Wehenstephaner

 

Picked up a 15-pack of Founder's Ofest yesterday. Pours pretty dark so was expecting more of a malt-focused one, but surprisingly ended up tasting like one of the paler festbiers. Pretty drinkable & smooth, I'd recommend.