Otter Creek Oktoberfest

I'll have to keep an eye out for that.

 

I posted about this beer in the Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest release thread because it's a similar theme. I was curious how it was, probably try to snag a single or two and give it a whirl.

I didn't really care for Sierra Nevada's, but I didn't really dig the previous two installments either.

 

How modern vs traditional would you say it is? How would you describe it's malt character? The 1 written review for it seems like it's a hybrid between domestic/euro style and it might be highly hopped? Love me some marzen/fest beer but for some reason, other than Ayinger, I struggle each year to find domestic versions I really love. Or if I find one I like, it's either gone or different the next year. Not enough consistency in the domestic marzen world.

 

Ayinger is an import though...is that the only import you like, on top of disliking every domestic version?

 

No it's just my favorite import and I look forward to it every year, but since it's not the most economical buy (single bottles only) I like to supplement it with more economical domestic 6-pack versions. But for some reason I feel like I have to learn which domestic versions I like all over again each year. There are some domestic ones I'll almost always look to try each year, but whether or not I like them fluctuates year to year, or the beer changes or isn't brewed this year. It feels odd to not have a go-to domestic marzen because I love the style and many breweries make one.

 

While I still don't think it was cheap, I believe it finally came in four packs last year (11.2 oz. bottles).

Agreed on the domestics, every part of your post.

Brooklyn has been good in the past, although I remember last year's not being as great. Jack's Abby's I think I've gone back and forth on, I think they started using decoction mashing last year. Nightshift's was greatly improved last year from year one...and so on and so forth.

If you dig imports do yourself a favor and swing by Olde Magoun's in Somerville. They have just about every import on draft, and even some we don't see bottled here in the US. Although last year many of the other bars in the area started carrying multiple imports as well... Rosebud/Five Horse.

 

edit: Oh man, I screwed up that quoting....