Favorite Octoberfest

[MalFet]

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

I agree. I find most of blue point's beers to be fairly meh, but I had one of these last year and I remember it being quite nice.

 

[ingchr1]

I've only tried the Saranac Octoberfest so far, but I think its pretty good.

Chris

 

[scarlessmeanie]

Stoudt's Oktoberfest is the best one I've had, followed by Slyfox.

 

[beeber]

Paulaner, Stoudts 2011 version (2010 version was way overhopped but I liked it anyway), Sly Fox, Sam Adams

 

[Taypo]

This years Rahr Oktoberfest was amazing, for you in the area. We did a mini keg of the Hofbrau and killed it in an afternoon. Those of you who didnt like this year's Sam are definitely not alone - they changed it again, for the worse. Pretty sure it was the last time I buy any BBC.

 

[ayoungrad]

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

I agree re: Berkshire Oktoberfest. But I bet it's not very widely available. I know I took the last bottle from the store that carried it last week.

 

[solbes]

I need to greatly widen my Oktoberfest sampling this year. Not too many authentic ones that I've tried (if any).

1) Summit Oktoberfest - pretty strong and actually has some good flavor to it, while also being pretty drinkable. Me likey
2) Schells Oktoberfest - More malt and bread with a sweet finish. Not much for hops here
3) Sam Adams Oktoberfest - merely okay
4) Leinenkugel Oktoberfest - pretty bland

 

[hiphopopotamus]

I generally like the Sam Adams variety. Of the commercial ones in my area, I'd say it's the best.

I had the misfortune of trying the Leinenkugel yesterday at my parents house and it was all I could do to drink it without complaining. I'd stay away from that one. Adding caramel color to a Lager does not an oktoberfest make.

 

[CidCitrus]

I had Great Lakes last week and it was pretty tasty

 

[mcbethenstein]

If you are in WI, there are 2 epic examples of Octoberfest.

1.) New Glarus Staghorn Octoberfest. Simply awesome!
2. And by far the best, most perfectly balanced example I've tasted....lakefront brewery's Octoberfest.

Our last club meeting was tasting 13 different Octoberfest's, many of which were mentioned already, and our table agreed that lakefront's was the best.

 

[Spork]

I had Avery's "The Kaiser" at a beer dinner a few nights ago. While not a traditional Marzen (10% ABV), it was very, very good.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

This years Rahr Oktoberfest was amazing, for you in the area. We did a mini keg of the Hofbrau and killed it in an afternoon. Those of you who didnt like this year's Sam are definitely not alone - they changed it again, for the worse. Pretty sure it was the last time I buy any BBC.

I tried the Hofbrau out of the bottle. It was not good. Green bottles really destroyed it.

Rahr? Really? I tried it at the Gingerman here in FTW and it was foul. Maybe it was a bad keg.

 

[KingBrianI]

Not my favorite oktoberfest (it tasted more like a helles) but I enjoyed it.

 

[graduate]

Anyone have any New Belgium Hoptoberfest? I'm headed for Myrtle Beach this weekend and it is Octoberfest weekend. Lucky me! Looking to try a few and enjoy the weekend.

 

[poislb]

Anyone have any New Belgium Hoptoberfest? I'm headed for Myrtle Beach this weekend and it is Octoberfest weekend. Lucky me! Looking to try a few and enjoy the weekend.

I believe its just called hoptober...and yeah, its pretty nice. Aroma is great, not alot of bitterness but a good beer overall and not to malty..Has some nice citrus notes as well

 

[intense3123]

Had a Karl Strauss oktoberfest a few years back at California adventure park in Disneyland. That was the best Okt I've ever had. I don't know if it had anything to do with being in Disneyland and drinking a beer overlooking the water at paradise pier or not

 

[daksin]

Had a Karl Strauss oktoberfest a few years back at California adventure park in Disneyland. That was the best Okt I've ever had. I don't know if it had anything to do with being in Disneyland and drinking a beer overlooking the water at paradise pier or not

I LOVE the KS Octoberfest. It's not a style I'm a huge fan of (not much a Lager drinker at all, actually, but I don't discriminate) usually, but this one is great. Rock bottom is another commercial-ish small batch brewpub (Like Karls) near me in San Diego, and they make a "Rocktoberfest" that is excellent as well. A new fave.

These observations make me think maybe I'm not a big fan of the style, as I'm going to guess that these two varieties aren't "to style" or even anywhere close. I am obviously not a BJCP judge, of course.

They are damn tasty beers though: I make it a point to get a pint at both joints.

 

[SaccharoVices]

Had the Paulaner Wiesn (bought w/ the HUGE mug) really nice- but I do prefer a Marzen style beer for Oktoberfest. The Hacker is really nice, a real toothy sugary thing when it warms up. Looking for the Ayinger, probably my favorite brewery in the world. I will stay away from the Sam Adema, Looniekugels, etc...

 

[ayoungrad]

Looking for the Ayinger, probably my favorite brewery in the world.

That should be easy enough to find... they've got Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen at Trader Joes around here.

 

[aeonderdonk]

Victory Festbier was pretty good. Sam Adams and Spaten were good not great.

 

[WhiskeyR]

My fav is Saint Arnold Oktoberfest and its an Ale.

 

[remilard]

The Paulaner Weisn is the only actual Oktoberfest (served at Oktoberfest) beer you can get in the US. As for amber Maerzen type things, everything is a close second to Ayinger for me.

 

[wildwest450]

Beck's by a country mile. Not really to style, but fantastic.


_

 

[CountryRootsBrew]

Haven't tried many this year, but I did like Bell's Octoberfest quite well.

 

[thegerm]

I've sampled several american versions this year. so far Magic Hat 'ourtoberfest' has been my favorite.

 

[malweth]

I can only remember two... both were pretty good.

Most recent was Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest on draft. I thought it was pretty good, smelling of honey.

I've also had the Gorden Biersch Märzen, which is also good.

Both were very sweet...

 

[rycov]

i'll second the Gordon Biersch Marzen. that was a great beer

 

[SaccharoVices]

Gordon Biersch? Really? OK, to each his own, but I am surprised that a brewery chain that does not mash, that only uses extracts to brew, could produce a 'great' beer- (no offense intended to the numerous homebrewers that use extract- I was one for years)

 

[thegerm]

Where'd you get the idea that GB brewed with extracts? I've heard dan Gordon talk on the brewing network several times and I would swear that he didn't say anything about using extracts. The biggest thing that stood out was how rigorous they were in staying loyal to the reinheitsgebot. To the point of producing their own lactic acid from lacto present on their pils malt, in order to adjust mash ph with a ingredient that wouldnt violate the reinheitsgebot...

 

[rockfish42]

Dan Gordon was trained at Weihenstephan, their page for Marzen lists imported malt as an ingredient, they also brew in my home town. Their technical skill isn't really up for question, and I'm really amused that people think they use extract to brew. On the other hand, their beers aren't very exciting at least to my palate.