Your Top Oktoberfest Beers

US made...Great Lakes hands down...not close..German I am still trying them all

 

Just because you mentioned it- I'm so looking forward to the Old Fezziwig. I hear it's fantastic!

 

Lager for ale drinkers. Check out what these unsolicited tasters have to say:

http://charlottebeercast.libsyn.com/episode-11-5-marzen-madness

 

Weihenstephaner
Hacker Pschorr
Ayinger

 

Anyone know what the Oktoberfest beers at the actual fest in Munich and served in restaurants in Munich during Oktoberfest are lighter in color, just a tad darker than a traditional helles? The american marzen style seems to be on the very of an amber lager. I get a lot of peanut shell notes on American Marzens for some reason, i dont think thats true to style at all

 

Ayinger, Augistiner, Port City.

the absolute worst is Great Lakes. I had it at a Great Lakes Tap take over, threw it out after two sips. I decided to give it another shot somewhere else in case of dirty tap lines. Nope, still shitty.

 

I know I'll get some eye rolls on this one, but I was surprised by how tasty the Yeungling Oktoberfest was. Light body and flavor yes, but I enjoyed the flavor profile. I've seen it sold out in several area liquor stores (empty spot in the refrigerator space where it should be). Someone else must be liking it even if its the BMC crowd trying to pretend they are festive beer drinkers during the season.

 

I thought this wasn't even CLOSE to the style. Aged in oak foudres??? This beer was bland and no malt backbone as this style REQUIRES. Same goes for SA.

 

1. NG Staghorn
2. Ayinger
3. Sun King
4. FFF Munsterfest
5. Sam Adams

 

That would be the Wiesn Märzen. Techinically a helles (as in the color, not the style) Märzen.

FWIW -- You can find the "Traditional," amber Märzen around Munich if you look hard enough. To the American colors, I have found a wide range of different shades -- compare Shiner to Sam Adams .

Same here on many - but not all, and no -- it's not to-style. Blame malt use.

 

1. Ayinger
2. Great Lakes Oktoberfest
3. Victory Fest Bier
4. Three Floyds Munsterfest
5. Surlyfest

I think these stand out but I enjoy versions by Sam Adams, Bells, Two Brothers, Great Lakes, and Boulevard too.

 

Traditional Märzens are a dime a dozen.

Atom Smasher is a fine example of a craft take on the style. The oak makes all the difference.

 

I personally do not think that Yuengling Oktoberfest is a ‘true’ Marzen beer but I can resonate with your comment of: “Light body and flavor yes, but I enjoyed the flavor profile”. IMHO, Yuengling Oktoberfest is a tasty American Amber Adjunct Lager. I think it is even more tasty than Yuengling Lager.

I want to emphasize that I do not view Yuengling Oktoberfest as being a craft beer or an Oktoberfest/Marzen beer.

Cheers!

 

Not original, but stumbled onto this post and was happy to see others thinking like me:

German: Ayinger - bought 3 bottles

American made(as I think all German ones are pretty good): Great Lakes - bought a case of it.

I had Schlafly last night, it was solid. Have not seen any mentions of it.

 

Ayinger and GL ftw.

 

Had a DuClaw Mad Bishop Marzen last year and again tonight for a revisit. Thought that one was quite tasty in flavors yet smooth and easy to drink. Seems the BA reviews didn't rate it vary high, but then again most of the reviewers on here are usually more harsh on the lagers.

 

I agree that although I can drink a Yuingling Lager fine although rather boring, the Oktoberfest is even better.

 

This year so far:
1.) Sun King
2.) Revolution
3.) Sam Adams
4.) Left Hand

 

and its out now!!! I am drooling waiting for BrooDoo!

 

Santa Fe Brewing Oktoberfest deserves some love.Very comparable to many mentioned here.

Like others have said:

Ayinger
Paulaner
Weihenstephaner
Left Hand
Spaten