Oktoberfest Beers, Festbiers and Pumpkin Ales (2 Viewers)

[Gally]

I'm about as big a "have you tried the local <whatever>" beer nerd there is, but when it comes to fall/winter beers, Sam Adams never disappoints. Year after year, their Oktoberfest and Winter Lager are always great.

I like those much better than just their typical Sam Adams. I also really like their Old Fezziwig

 

[Northern Voice]

Had Festbiers from Mortalis and Autark in Buffalo yesterday. I'll give the nod to Autark by a hair but both were very good.

I did Oktoberfest a few years back. Two days in Munich, plus another at the Cannstatter Volksfest (more local/less tourist oriented). I got on the train going the wrong direction after the first day and insisted to my (sober) wife that she was wrong and we were going the right way...

I wonder how many Marzens are actually being brewed in March and given extended lagering time these days. I know our brewery has only done the Festbier style because we can't really afford to tie up a tank for six months to do a proper Marzen.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I LOVE Marzens. I've had some decent American ones, but by and large, they don't hold a candle to their German counterparts.

Hacker Pschorr is my favorite, followed by Paulaner. Hofbrau and Spaten are a level below. Fun fact : even though Marzens are often labeled as Oktoberfest beers here, at the actual fest in Munich, they don't sell Marzens in the tents, they sell Festbier, which is more similar to a Helles. I still haven't managed to sample an Augustiner or Lowenbrau Marzen because they don't distribute them to the US.

I ended up at Total Wine and ended u with a lot of Hofbrau
Can't seem to find the Hacker Pschorr, gotta be aware of what I'm looking for

Total Wine took Hofbrau 12-packs and broke them up into 6-packs/bottles, hey still charged me $40/12-pack which I should have just given them back but I was too tired and I needed privisions for the games today...I like the Hofbrau actually but it's not on the same level as Sierra Nevada which I think is superior to almost all of them

 

[blue42]

Are the Oktoberfest beers you buy in America 6-7% alcohol like the ones we get here?

 

[Sullie]

Are the Oktoberfest beers you buy in America 6-7% alcohol like the ones we get here?

• Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest Festbier – 6.0% ABV
Brewed in collaboration with German brewers, this festbier has a biscuity malt profile and crisp finish.

• Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager – 6.1% ABV
Pennsylvania-based, brewed with decoction for rich malt character. Notes of caramel, bread, and herbs.

• Great Lakes Oktoberfest – 6.5% ABV
A robust märzen-style lager with toasted malt, subtle hops, and a smooth mouthfeel.

• Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen – 5.8% ABV
Technically German, but widely distributed in the U.S. Rich, creamy, and slightly spicy malt flavor.

These beers are typically available from late August through October at specialty liquor stores, Total Wine, BevMo, or even larger grocery chains. Want help finding one near you or pairing it with food?

 

[heckmanm]

Are the Oktoberfest beers you buy in America 6-7% alcohol like the ones we get here?

Generally, yes.

 

[heckmanm]

I LOVE Marzens. I've had some decent American ones, but by and large, they don't hold a candle to their German counterparts.

Hacker Pschorr is my favorite, followed by Paulaner. Hofbrau and Spaten are a level below. Fun fact : even though Marzens are often labeled as Oktoberfest beers here, at the actual fest in Munich, they don't sell Marzens in the tents, they sell Festbier, which is more similar to a Helles. I still haven't managed to sample an Augustiner or Lowenbrau Marzen because they don't distribute them to the US.

I ended up at Total Wine and ended u with a lot of Hofbrau
Can't seem to find the Hacker Pschorr, gotta be aware of what I'm looking for

Total Wine took Hofbrau 12-packs and broke them up into 6-packs/bottles, hey still charged me $40/12-pack which I should have just given them back but I was too tired and I needed privisions for the games today...I like the Hofbrau actually but it's not on the same level as Sierra Nevada which I think is superior to almost all of them

Sierra Nevada may benefit a bit from being fresher, being brewed in the US. IDK how much time the German beers spend in shipping and storage, but it will at least be several days, if not weeks, longer.

 

[berndog]

I keep forgetting to post what I think is the best one I've had this season
Stortebeker Brewery is in Germany and they did a COLLAB with a very popular craft beer, one of the original from my memories of the 90s

Sierra Nevada "Oktoberfest Festbier" Limited Collab Edition w/Stortebeker 6% ABV IBU 32
-Captures the taste of what you are craving when you open a can of these marzen-lagers, Sierra not known as a big lager brewery to me, more pale ale and IPAs but this hits the bullseye
No doubt the collab works with another brewery from Germany that might have supplied the recipe, perhaps some of the hops as well, who knows?
If you see it, just grab it. Make sure it's the collab edition, there might be another type of festival beer floating around from them
I find this one at Fresh Market $13-$15 6-pack, not cheap

I came to post the same thing.

I am normally an IPA or stout drinker but like to expand my horizons occasionally and thought this was excellent!