Local-ish Oktoberfest beers

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by CB_Michigan, Aug 24, 2020.

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  1. CB_Michigan

    CB_Michigan Pooh-Bah (1,552) Sep 4, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Alright, it's that time of year. Now that the weather has turned cooler...I mean, now that local biergartens are filling up...actually, now that the kids are headed off to school...sh*t...now that Binny's has built the wall...of blue & white checkered cases, it's time to talk Oktos. A couple years ago, I had a semi-blind tasting of mostly local/regional versions, with SN and SA thrown into the mix. The winner that year was Bell's, with Buckledown a surprisingly close second. Don't know if I'll attempt the same this year, but I always back up the truck since these are my favorite styles of beer.

    So far, I've had the Kinslahger Festbier style Okto (they also do a Märzen style) and HA's Lagertown. I freaking love both of them. Kinslahger, in particular, seems to be firing on all cylinders these days. I wasn't a huge fan at first, but they've dialed-in their process and I'm impressed with what they're putting out these days. Lagertown is kinda like Fader, a "no time for thinking, too busy drinking" beer. It's enjoyable and fun without much sweetness. No matter what mood I'm in , this always seems to hit the spot.

    Every year I think "Crap, how am I going to get through all of this beer?" and by the time October actually hits, I'm like "Crap, I should have bought more." Anyway, I totally want to hear what others are liking or even not liking so much. I've got Bell's, Metropolitan, FFF, Buckledown, and Kinslahger Märzen teed up.
     
    #1 CB_Michigan, Aug 24, 2020
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  2. Jsimansk

    Jsimansk Pundit (851) Jul 10, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    I downed a 4pack of Dovetail Festbier last week, practically in one sitting. Very flavorful and balanced, I’m definitely going back for more.
     
    #2 Jsimansk, Aug 24, 2020
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  3. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    +1 on Dovetail's Festbier! Two other recommendations: Revolution's Octoberfest beer, and Old Irving Park's Octoberfest beer. Tho, the Old Irving Park beer is not canned/bottled, last I knew. For the last 2 years, they've had an Octoberfest special. Buy a 1-liter stein for $15, filled. Refills are $10. It applies only to their Octoberfest and Kolsch beers. Don't know if they're having that special this year, with everything going on...
     
    #3 RickBelgique, Aug 25, 2020
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  4. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    ^ Correction. Old Irving Brewing, not Old Irving Park. I knew it didn't sound right when I wrote it.
     
    #4 RickBelgique, Aug 25, 2020
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  5. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So far for locals Ive picked up Dovetails' festbier (new to me), Kinslahger's märzen and festbier (I've had both before, liked the festbier better, but since their stuff has been really good lately, I decided to get both again), FFF Munsterfest (new to me), Metropolitan Afterburner (repeat), and then Buckledown's (repeat - always impressed with how much I actually end up liking this one). This will honestly probably be it for me for locals as I focus far more on the imports, but its nice to have some really good local options.

    I do wonder if Art History will be doing one - If they did and I didn't live so far away Id like to try that one, but not enough to make it actually happen.
     
    #5 FBarber, Aug 25, 2020
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  6. CB_Michigan

    CB_Michigan Pooh-Bah (1,552) Sep 4, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had a Kinslahger Märzen last night and it was enjoyable, but a little sweet/caramelly for my preferences. If you told me it was an Amber Lager, I'd think "This is really good." Since it's labeled as an Okto, I thought "This is good, but..." It's funny how expectations can influence our perceptions. Anyway, it's a very nice autumn beer and great to pair with meals, but loses a couple of style points in my book.
     
    #6 CB_Michigan, Aug 25, 2020
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  7. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    There's also Two Brothers Atom Smasher. Quite tasty.
     
    #7 RickBelgique, Aug 25, 2020
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  8. Judgie

    Judgie Pundit (836) Nov 21, 2012 Indiana

    So far from this region I have had Bell’s and Upland’s Oktoberfest & enjoyed both. I hope to find Munsterfest w/o having to go to Munster. Of all the Oktoberfest beers that I have tried this early in the “season”, my favs have been SN and Great Lakes (just for reference).
     
    #8 Judgie, Aug 26, 2020
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  9. beelzebubbles

    beelzebubbles Crusader (405) Mar 1, 2006 Illinois

    Half Acre's Lager Town is really nice. A 5.7% Octoberfest. I also like the can artwork.
     
    #9 beelzebubbles, Aug 26, 2020
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  10. invertalon

    invertalon Pooh-Bah (2,249) Jan 27, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Easy "best" for local here in Ohio is Columbus Brewing Festbier. For the past few years, has topped our blind tastings and continues to shine against the best imports. Just fantastic.

    Great Lakes on the other hand, I find hugely overrated. I just mention that because it tends to have the biggest cult following here in the midwest when people think Oktoberfest. I think it's very middle of the road, though.
     
    #10 invertalon, Aug 26, 2020
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  11. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Had my first two of the season tonight.

    Sierra Nevada's I thought was wonderful take on the style. A bit less heavy than other renditions but still great malt flavor with some spiced notes coming through.

    Dovetail Festbier I was a bit let down by. I think it's due to me being a Dovetail fanboy and having such high expectations whereas I found the Festbier merely good. Wonderful malt flavor no doubt but lacked a bit of character to me that I usually enjoy in an Oktoberfest beer.
     
    #11 HawksBeerFan, Aug 28, 2020
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  12. Grounder

    Grounder Zealot (547) Jun 20, 2019 Illinois

    I plan on Afterburner, Atom Smasher and Bell's this year. And if I decide to live dangerously I may cross the border and get some Staghorn.
     
    #12 Grounder, Aug 28, 2020
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  13. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Had two more of the mixed 6er I got last night...

    3 Floyds Munsterfest I was very impressed by. It felt a bit lighter to me but still had a delightful presence to it.

    Pollyanna's Fruhauf I have heard great things about and must say it kind of let me down. It had a nice initial flavor but felt really empty/lacking on the back end. Like a wonderful flavor explosion that just really left me hanging. It was pretty bizarre but can't say I'd want to have this one again. Maybe not enough malt to round it out? Not sure.

    So of the four I've had I've liked SN and Floyds but have been a bit let down by Dovetail and certainly by Pollyanna. I think the trend I am noticing for my preference is a lighter beer with a good malt presence that has some spicey notes coming through (as opposed to heavy bready notes).
     
    #13 HawksBeerFan, Aug 29, 2020
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  14. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I have two local breweries, and I have not heard yet whether the one that opened this year, Handmap, will brew an O-fest. The other brewery, Territorial, is a German-inspired brewery and does a great job with their Marzen. However, Territorial always waits until their brewery anniversary in December to release theirs, and they call it Dezemberfest. And no early releases of it, so I have to wait 4 more months to enjoy it.

    I bought a single of Bell's Oktoberfest and enjoyed it a couple weeks ago, but I haven't had any others yet. The fridge has been too full to add more beers! :slight_smile:
     
    #14 PapaGoose03, Aug 29, 2020
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  15. CB_Michigan

    CB_Michigan Pooh-Bah (1,552) Sep 4, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So far, Bell’s is the best but I just love Lagertown (it’s like the side hustle that winds up occupying more time than your real job). Afterburner was nice but tasted like a halfway “American” version. It wasn’t full-on caramel, but more than I expected and more prominent than I remember in previous years.

    Wasn’t able to grab any Dovetail, unfortunately. Really curious to see how it’d stack up since I’ve been a huge fan of, well almost everything of theirs, this summer.
     
    #15 CB_Michigan, Aug 29, 2020
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  16. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Having a Lagertown now and am really enjoying it. Putting it in the Munstertown and Sierra Nevada tier for me. A bit more caramely than the others but in a good way.

    As I mentioned above, I wouldn't be too chuffed if you can't track down Dovetail's. I'm a big fanboy as well and just wasn't blown away. Fine beer but not worth seeking out and its priced at their premium rate. It's no Maibock, just IMO.
     
    #16 HawksBeerFan, Aug 30, 2020
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  17. flat_lander

    flat_lander Pooh-Bah (2,490) May 11, 2016 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Love Oktoberfest beers. Always a big fan of Bells and Lagertown. I also enjoyed P3's Oktoberfest from last year. And since we just started to get P3 distro downstate, I just reminded myself to keep an eye out for that one.

    Also felt this was about Dovetail Festbier. I think I had hyped it up in my head a bit too much.
     
    #17 flat_lander, Aug 30, 2020
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  18. Jagrmaister

    Jagrmaister Zealot (609) Jan 13, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    It was good, but another guy here that might have let the hype get the better of me. Still enjoyed it, but wouldn't pay the premium a second round.
     
    #18 Jagrmaister, Aug 30, 2020
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  19. CB_Michigan

    CB_Michigan Pooh-Bah (1,552) Sep 4, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Having a Buckledown tonight. I don’t know what it is but I keep thinking “I should like this more than I actually do.” There’s nothing obvious to complain about, it’s just not hitting the high notes for me. Solid, but either they’re falling back or others are catching up.

    Still haven’t seen SN in six-packs and can’t justify 12 to my wife. Much easier to “hide my tracks” with a variety of brands.
     
    #19 CB_Michigan, Aug 31, 2020
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  20. YoungLad

    YoungLad Zealot (639) Apr 27, 2009 Indiana

    New Oberpfalz Oktoberfest is a must try.

    That is all.
     
    #20 YoungLad, Aug 31, 2020
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