Best 2017 Oktoberfest, So Far

I had the Spaten Oktoberfest and was left disappointed; doesn't touch Ayinger or the Weihenstephaner...

 

After indulging a lot with last year's offerings, I'm toning it down drastically this year. Sierra Nevada's was really great - as has always been the case since the collaborations, but the hoppy quality of it was more disjointed this year. I also had some draft Spaten this year, but I simply like (as opposed to love) that beer. I prefer Paulaner personally. I also enjoyed a couple of Viennas recently... with Von Trapp's really hitting the spot. My favorite Oktoberfest last year was Bell's, but I haven't seen that yet... so either it's too soon, or perhaps it won't come around these parts. I will try to grab draft Traunstein once it hits here in late September. Regarding some of the ones talked about in this thread, I'm in the camp that doesn't like the sweetness of Sam Adams, and I enjoyed Left Hand's two years back, but found last year's not in sync with my tastes (toasty to the point of burnt). I'd love to try a single of Left Hand this year but it's very unlikely I'll come across one. Ayinger is hit or miss with me but I've never gotten diacetyl from it. (I'm really enjoying the Ayinger pils these days though).

Prost!

 

I helped kick the keg of Ayinger Pils. A thoroughly pleasurable job.

 

I'm drinking a Bell's Okto right now - cracker bready with spicy hops - a better of the Ami Oktos I've had, but still not a favorite compared to the imports.

To Ayinger, I really liked their Pils, and I've always enjoyed their Okto, but this year's is just off to me.

 

I do sometimes wonder why you bother with many American beers though. Some who prefer imports go American for freshness and price. Others constantly hope for a new favorite despite the odds. I don't know why you continue to go down that road (and I don't mean that in a bad way at all). You're fully aware of your preferences and I doubt you're surprised often. Buying import Oktoberfests isn't nearly as painful in the freshness and cost department as some other styles.

 

Locally, Olde Mecklenburg does their Mecktoberfest--a marzen that is IMO their absolute best beer and this year did not disappoint. Super smooth. They are an extraordinarily traditional brewery and their flagship is a solid alt. They do not brew an IPA.

I found the SN very pleasing but a tad behind. My all time fav is Ayinger and it just hit our local market so I am on the way........

 

As you mentioned yourself, I have really cut back on the Oktos I've bought this year, but you hit on something with the hope that something might come across better or different this year.

But "going down that road" is a lot slower than years past.

 

I forgot to mention: I was glad to read your previous post because I'm relieved that Bell's is bottling theirs again.

 

I also want to express that the majority of the Ami Oktos I've had are greatly enjoyable beers, just not my ideal as true Oktos to-style.

 

Great description of Hofbrau and Weihnenstephaner. Love them both, but I give the upper hand to Hofbrau, so glad they finally went to brown bottles

 

@steveh - I'm in the middle of an Ayinger 500ml right now- I'm with you, this year has very slight diacetyl on the finish that starts to build throughout the glass. It's in a similar flavor ballpark as PU, but even less noticeable. The beer overall has less definition and pop than it usually does. Still drinkable, though, but I won't buy any more past my 2 remaining bottles.

No discernable date or batch stamp on the bottle, but I bought it at Total Wine, and selling last year's doesn't seem like the kind of thing they would do.

 

To me it was far more noticeable than Urquell, but I also don't expect the character in an Okto.

Yeah, no dating on Ayinger, a shame. Mine were purchased at a reputable chain too.

 

Yep, last year's....and I now have a bone to pick with that distributor

 

Bells version is pretty remarkable, I drank it not so cold and it was flawless.

Whatever problems Left hand had last year have been resolved, matter of fact most of the lager'ed styles I have had from them have been on point. Might have to add them in with Victory, Jacks Abby and Great Lakes in the lager power circle.

 

Kick ass man - though I expect the distro will act ignorant to knowing about the date codes.

 

So far I've had Spaten Oktoberfestbier, Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier, Samuel Adams Octoberfest and a Swedish macro Oktoberfest lager (5.8% abv, amber colored, caramel and melanoidin malt). I really enjoy the Spaten and Löwenbräu, they complement one another very nicely I find. Spaten being more balanced between malt and bitterness, while Löwenbräu displays more malt sweetness but also has a pleasant herbal hoppy note to it. I'm still waiting for a delivery of Weihenstephaner Festbier and Arcobräu Festbier and will be interested in trying those for the first time, particularly the Weihenstephaner which has been so highly praised on this forum.

On a side note I can't help but wonder how today's Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier differs from the Löwenbräu Hellquell Export listed in this 1935 Oktoberfest advertisement below (also listed in a similar 1936 ad). Since German tax law at the time stipulated that the vollbier class was 11-14% plato, and there being a legislative gap between 14% and 16% (above which was starkbier) which couldn't be used, I would imagine that the OG would be more or less the same as today (the modern Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier is 13.7% OG), especially considering the fact that they would have had a regular Hell which most likely hovered around 12%. However the abv of the Hellquell Export was likely lower in keeping with the brewing standards of the time.

Also note the Edelstoff served by Augustiner, the Edelhell by Pschorr, and Hell Urtyp by Thomasbräu (Paulaner).

 

Oh I'm sure they'll try

 

I like that they name the Festwirt (publican) for each tent. Important position, I suppose.

 

Hopefully to Columbia soon to get a fest beer at Bierkeller. How is your's drinking? Good eclipse party?

 

I'm really liking how our Festbier is shaping up. The softness and depth of maltiness of the Weyermann Barke Pilsner malt we used is really impressive and imparts the exact character I most prize in the modern Festbier style: a bready sweetness that almost defies description, but has elements of biscuit (the English type), fresh bread dough, and a slight honeyish element. We are holding our Oktoberfest on 7 Oct, so if you can make it down then you can sample a couple of liters. Having a band and our usual sausage cart...and have a really cool spot that is shaded under the trees with a view of the river. Gonna be fun. Would love to see any of y'all. Combine a visit with a trip to the coast (October is the nicest month at the beaches here). Prost!