Midwest Made Oktoberfests

Beaver Island just got a bronze medal in the German-Style Maerzen category at GABF. It's a great beer and I would strongly recommend trying it if it's in your distro area.

 

I liked this local, Remedy Oktoberfest. Nose is bready and sweet, almost fruity. Taste is toast, sweetness, and a slight bitter close. Decent mouthfeel, but dry. Overall excellent.

 

He does make one. It's called Patron Saint.

 

I looked for this today here in South East Minneapolis, didn't see any Beaver Island is it distroed here?

 

I have not seen Beaver Island beers in metro Minneapolis bottle shops. Beaver Island beers can be found at Lake Liquors in Big Lake (http://lakeliquorsmn.com/beers-and-craft-beers/4322825) and perhaps as close as bottle shops in Otsego. Call ahead.

 

I believe I have seen Beaver Island at West Side in Albertville, that cuts about 20 minutes off of a drive out to Big Lake (unless you are planning on going to Lupulin anyways).

 

The Beaver really is top notch. Otsego liquor stores also carry them as mentioned earlier in this thread.

 

Northbound Liquor in Elk River had plenty...yup...45 minute drive but worth it if you are in the northern suburbs. Fantastic O-fest.

 

It looks like the Beaver Island Oktoberfest received a bronze medal at the GABF.

 

Roger's Wines and Spirits has a good selection of Beaver Island beers in cans, including the 'Oktoberfest Marzen Lager'. This bottle shop is just off Diamond Lake Rd, west of Hwy 101, near the Target store. This is the closest liquor store to Minneapolis I found that carries beer from Beaver Island.

 

it looks like no Beaver Island in the near future for me. I don't own a car. I rent a car every other weekend for beer/grocery/tap room runs. I usually go to WI or once a while north to Duluth. But I might haveto go west and checkout the tap rooms one of these days.
Last night while watching MNF at the local wateringhole I had a tap of Bauhaus Schwandtoberfest it was good but only average. I also had a Odells Rupture fresh Grind ale, it was pretty good.
At home I have been drinking some Weihenstephaner Festbier and Capital Autumnal Fire. Both something different and great. I like Weihenstephane but it would not be my go to octoberfest but I like variety just like everyone on the board.

 

Free State's Octoberfest is great this year, can hold its own with the best of them. Boulevards Bobs 47 was kinda meh, not terrible but I won't seek it out again.

 

Pulpit Rock's Oktoberfest is great.

Not Midwest per BA, but Pearl Street's Lederhosen is damn solid. That brewery as a whole has massively stepped up its game lately.

 

I've had it before in cans, and liked it, but I was really impressed with Lazy Monk Oktoberfest at the taproom today. Nice mix of flavors, and just a hint of smoke. Well worth the drive from St. Cloud.

I went to West O Beer in Okoboji, and theirs was so/so, though way better than Schell's in my opinion.

Goat Ridge Mad-Der-Goat was quite good, and was happy with it.

I also picked up a 4 pack of Brewing Projekt Oktoberfest. I'll try that in the near future.

 

If you like Lazy Monk Oktoberfest, you might like there smoked bock which usually comes out in late winter. It's not a real heavy smoke flavor. Lazy monk beer often tastes different out of the can, and I swear sometimes it's better outta the can too. I have been to the tap room many times.
on a side note I went to The Northbound smoke house here in Minneapolis this weekend. I had a Wild Rice amber and a Smokehouse Porter. I liked both, they seemed well balanced

 

I just had Hoops Brewing Oktoberfest Wiesn Bier at Town Hall, and it's by far my favorite local of the season.

It's nice to see a brewery making an Oktoberfest as opposed to a Marzen. Marzens are cloying much too often for my taste; Oktoberfests are far more drinkable.

 

I am confused, according Beer Advocate they are the same thing, their list of beer styles has Märzen / Oktoberfest.
What you talkin bout Karl?

 

Agree. Many here make this distinction, also using the term Fest beer many times for the paler version.

The darker, maltier style (aka Märzen) is also my favorite, and is more true to the beer served at the Munich festival some decades ago (or so I've read), before the move to lighter-colored beers.