Midwest Made Oktoberfests

If any of you are in Cedar Rapids,IA. Octobot 3000 from LionsBridge Brewing is a must try

 

This is exactly what meant. I lived in Germany for close to four years in the early 2000's, and really miss the lighter style festbiers served at both Oktoberfest and Fruhlingsfest. Hoops version wasn't quite the same as those beers, but it was closer than anything I've tasted in a long time.

Also, my names is Tim by the way.

 

Had the Utepils version today. Very good.

 

I still say Schell's brews the best Oktoberfest in the Midwest and maybe the country.

 

Me, too (for the Midwest; I haven't tried any from outside the Midwest - except for German beers, of course.)

 

Bump. Surprised there doesn't already seem to be a thread for this, tis the season after all

What is everyone liking this year? So far I've only had Schell's and SA(both on tap). Schell's was good, not as overly sweet as I remember? But I was thirsty and just about anything was going to taste good that night. The SA was not good.. Bitter and not at all what I was expecting. Didn't even finish the glass.

Picked up a 4 pack of Omni's Octoberfest today. Never had theirs before. Didn't see any Beaver Island yet which was by far my favorite last year. But I haven't been looking all that hard either.

Interested on what everyone's thoughts are on this years batches.

 

I haven't really been on the hunt at all for the Oktoberfest beers yet. Just not in the mood yet.

 

I have had many this year. Most are from WI, but I have had some from MN too. From MN I like Schells and Beaver Island for the Marzen style and Utepils for the non marzen style. I might try out Third Street this weekend at a bar.

 

Yeah this heat wave has kind of spoiled my mood as well. That should change Monday

 

I have had Schell's, Beaver Island, and Waconia Brewing (draft only) this year. All 3 are really good and would be happy drinking any of them. Have some Summit from the latest mix pack sitting in the fridge. Picked up a 4-pack of Utepils Festbier but have not sampled it yet.

 

Just cracked open an Utepils festbier this evening and was really impressed. So I drank the other three cans.

 

This year, my Okto's are:
Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Shiner Märzen-Style Oktoberfest
Utepils Receptional
Summit Oktoberfest Märzen Style
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest - Weihenstephan Collaboration

So, the only new midwest Okto is the Utepils, which I am looking forward to comparing with the Paulaner (although I generally prefer the Märzen-style to the lighter style).

I took a flyer on the Shiner... my expectations are realistic.

I didn't buy Schell's this year (my favorite midwest Oktoberfest)... the above list of Oktoberfest beers was enough.

 

Schell's Oktoberfest is tasting great as always this year. I'm going through my first 12 pack quickly.

 

I can report that Unmapped's marzen style beer is very good as well. I bought a crowler to review another day. I have mixed feelings about Utepils Receptional. Has a similar finish to Summit's Oktoberfest that is throwing me off. Will try it again on a fresh palate. So far my rankings are:
1. Beaver Island
2. Waconia Brewing (draft, growlers)
3. Schell's
4. Unmapped (draft, crowlers)
5. Utepils
6. Summit

I liked Summit more when it was brewed somewhere above 7% ABV.

 

My Summit can says 7.1% ABV. IMO, that is too strong to truly be a fest beer.

 

I did not even look at the can. Summit website list ABV as 6.5%. I always remembered it as being above 7% somewhere.

 

I've done a decidedly NOT blind side by side of the Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn and the Utepils Receptional German Style Festbier (both are represented as the lighter "fest style" rather than the darker "Märzen style"). (As an aside, I have not generally been impressed with the "fest" styles that I have tried. I prefer the Märzen style.)

Some excerpts from my review notes (probably to be posted tomorrow)...

Utepils: This is supposedly the lighter style of Oktoberfestbier, but it is more a 'tweener. Nonetheless, it is (as expected from Utepils) very well done.

Paulaner: This is, without a doubt, the best of the lighter "fest-style" that I've tried. Very nice.

I've also tried the Shiner (and, the Summit is a repeat). I'm hold off on posting a review of the Shiner until I can compare it with the SN and the Ayinger, since these all are Märzen styles.

 

New Oktoberfest beers to me this year are: Beaver Island, Mill Stream, Utepils, Fox River, Great Lakes. Maybe Third Street, but I think might have had the one before Of the new ones Beaver island impressed me the most. But all the new ones are good.

This year I decided not to go overboard and rank them, just enjoy them. But i do have a lose ranking by tiers somewhat in my mind.

 

Ya Central Waters is good this year, Unlike last year. i noticed the first bottles I had seemed like it had a touch of maple in it, but now I don't notice the maple, I am on my third 6 pack of CW now. Yes there are plenty of solid ones out there.