Favorite Octoberfest

[dukes7779]

Title pretty much says it all. Starting to get into Octoberfests and just trying to get a starting point for good/great. Thanks!

 

[scarlessmeanie]

I had Stoudt's Oktoberfest last night. Wow, really great. Probably my favorite to date.

 

[makomachine]

Ayinger, Paulaner, and Sam Adams are my three favorite commercial varieties that I've tried. Didn't care for Spaten or Hacker-Schorr (sp?) when I had them - drinkable but nothing special IMO. The BCS recipe is a winner and have bottles of the others I haven't touched due to me liking my own so much.

 

[MalFet]

Weihenstephaner, hands down. It's not quite as hard on the sweet as the others are, but it is fine, fine beer.

 

[bbrim]

I just had Abita Fall Fest (Octoberfest) a week ago and think it is my favorite. It slightly sweet up front with a very balanced finished and has clean, full, nuanced malt character.

 

[Bulls Beers]

Weihenstephaner is good, but I like Paulaner better. A few years ago, I got a couple cases of Erdinger Oktoberfest. It was amazing.

 

[dukes7779]

I can't find a description in BJCP. What should I be looking for in characteristics?

 

[HSB]

I can't find a description in BJCP. What should I be looking for in characteristics?

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style03.php

It's under European Amber Lager

 

[randomsample]

The New Glarus Staghorn is really good, and I just had Millstream's Octoberfest, which was excellent. The Millstream might be a little heavy for the style, but it's quite good.

 

[dukes7779]

Yep, I'm an idiot - looking for it under ales. Ugh.....

Thank you!

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

Hacker Pschorr was my favorite this year but I also enjoyed the Summit Oktoberfest even though it was a hoppy version. It was well balanced.

 

[rycov]

MMM. all of them! its one of my favorite styles. unless some one really frogged it up, they're all good.

 

[JRems]

Ayinger, and spaten are my favorite. Both are better than this years Sam Adams offering. Last year I remember it being better

 

[BrewThruYou]

Honestly, I can't tell the difference between Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, and some other german ones.

 

[JonM]

Argh, I WISH I could remember, but I had one last fall and it came from a brewery that was actually in Marzen. I had it on draft here in the U.S. But didn't think to write down the name. Google is no help. Any HBT'ers know if a good one from Marzen?

 

[MalFet]

Argh, I WISH I could remember, but I had one last fall and it came from a brewery that was actually in Marzen. I had it on draft here in the U.S. But didn't think to write down the name. Google is no help. Any HBT'ers know if a good one from Marzen?

There's a city called Marzen? Huh. Where abouts? The beer is called Märzen because it was traditionally brewed in March (at least, that was my understanding).

 

[rockfish42]

I really like Augustiner, the Sam Adams this year was pretty poor. Out of the ones available here I prefer Paulaner and Ayinger over Hacker-Pschorr or Spaten.

 

[JonM]

There's a city called Marzen? Huh. Where abouts? The beer is called Märzen because it was traditionally brewed in March (at least, that was my understanding).

I guess so. I just google mapped it an there's something called Marzen-burg just south of Leipzig.

I might have misunderstood the bartender though. I was a little toasted that night.

 

[TromboneGuy]

1. Mine
2. Ayinger
3. Wiehenstephaner
4. Paulaner
5. Spaten

 

[944play]

Of the ones I've had this year, I liked Hofbräu's best.

 

[jonmohno]

Out of the 4-6 i tried,i liked my local canned oktoberfest from River City Brewing of the rest.Gonna try a 3 floyds version soon though.Havent experienced many though but of the ones ive tried,it was metallic this and metallic that.

 

[jonmohno]

The New Glarus Staghorn is really good, and I just had Millstream's Octoberfest, which was excellent. The Millstream might be a little heavy for the style, but it's quite good.

Have to try both, did you go to Wis. or do a trade for the New Glarus?

 

[Gtrman13]

It may seem like the most commercial example, but I really enjoy the Sam Adams Oktoberfest!

 

[SwampassJ]

Something is up with the Sam Adams bottles this year. I've had some from a 12 pack, and some from a bar and they all where over carbed and tasted really thin compared to the draft of it I also had.

 

[ChrisS68]

Of the ones I've had this year, I liked Hofbräu's best.

I have to agree with the Hofbrau. Got a 5 liter keg last year and was rather taken aback. hmmm... Come to think of it, I've had a number of fine Octoberfests this year, but haven't had any Hofbrau; mental note taken...

 

[neut2004]

Paulaner and Hofbraü are my favorites. Quite different from each other, but both are delish in my opinion.

 

[bh10]

1. Ayinger
2. Mine
3. Wiehenstephaner
4. Sam Adams
5. Millstream

 

[Irishwrench]

Something is up with the Sam Adams bottles this year. I've had some from a 12 pack, and some from a bar and they all where over carbed and tasted really thin compared to the draft of it I also had.

I completely agree with you. I Love the Sam Octoberfest. My biggest issue is I live by if ain't broke don't fix it. Having said that I buy nothing but SA Octoberfest year after year because I real enjoy it. This years batch i've tasted however seems like it is Octoberfest Light.

This is great thread. I'm looking forward to trying some of the recommendations here if I can find them cause the Sam Adams needs fixin'.

 

[Meshuggah]

Just had Berkshire Brewing Company's Octoberfest. I think it just may take the top spot.

 

[wheels4]

Your in NY...go get some Blue Point Oktoberfest. You will not be disappointed.