Marzen / Oktoberfest Discussion

[Gonzoillini1]

I feel like I'm slacking this year in not getting pictures uploaded, but hopefully that changes starting this weekend.

In the meantime I had one of the more entertaining experiences with the style a couple of weekends back at the Chicago Beer Society Picnic where this beauty was tapped.

It took a while to get used to the tap on this thing, and I can tell you from personal experience that wide open is not the preferred serving method unless you have a pitcher ready to go.

Was really good, and fun to compare to the Spaten Marzen that was on draft 100 feet away.

 

[evilc]

I feel like I'm slacking this year in not getting pictures uploaded, but hopefully that changes starting this weekend.

In the meantime I had one of the more entertaining experiences with the style a couple of weekends back at the Chicago Beer Society Picnic where this beauty was tapped.

It took a while to get used to the tap on this thing, and I can tell you from personal experience that wide open is not the preferred serving method unless you have a pitcher ready to go.

Was really good, and fun to compare to the Spaten Marzen that was on draft 100 feet away.

That looks amazing.

 

[Treebs]

I've been running through a fee Midwest Oktoberfest/Marzens recently. It's been spectacular. Staghorn might be my favorite of the bunch. Unfortunately the Great Lakes Oktoberfest is far too sweet for me this year.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

New Glarus Octoberfest

Not as proper as Treebs, but delicious nonetheless. Also, I never realized how many shots they were taking at Leinkugel Red on the label for this one.

100% Natural - great Midwest barleys, the world's most expensive hops, fresh yeast from Germany, and clear Wisconsin water make our Staghorn Octoberfest "Wisconsin's Real Red." You will find absolutely no additives, preservatives, or artificial agents of any kind in this bier.

Staghorn is brewed using the time honored methods and Krausened to release the smooth flavor of our roasted malts.
This Octoberfest combines a smooth amber body with a clean crisp finish. Be sure to hold this one up to the light of any harvest moon and enjoy "Wisconsin's Real Red."

Deb Carey throwing shade isn't surprising, just surprised I don't remember that label copy.

 

[Vogt52]

Oktoberfest in Munich was awesome! Funny how I didn't see a single Marzen the entire time I was in Munich.

 

[JCastle1]

Oktoberfest in Munich was awesome! Funny how I didn't see a single Marzen the entire time I was in Munich.

You can find them, just not at Oktoberfest.

In the mid 1970’s, Paulaner Brewery in Munich decided the Marzën style wasn’t the ideal beer for the festivities.

The brewery felt it was too filling — sounds like they wanted to sell more beer at the festival to me. It also may have been another attempt to “follow the crowd,” as the festivities found popularity with more visitors from around the world.

Whatever the reason, they started experimenting, searching for a style of beer that was still reasonably malty, but less heavy and lighter in color than Marzën; a more quaffable, easy-drinking alternative. Festbier was their answer and since the 1990s, it’s been the only beer poured at Oktoberfest.

https://learn.kegerator.com/festbier/

 

[duckyboycantfly]

Brought in a little tasting to work, Sierra Nevada was the favorite all around.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Brought in a little tasting to work, Sierra Nevada was the favorite all around.

Matt, you need to work on your potato camera. It's time for an upgrade.

 

[duckyboycantfly]

Pixel 2 comes out next week~ but yes it felt bad to ruin such clear beer with my filthy lens

 

[Death Valley]

Brought in a little tasting to work, Sierra Nevada was the favorite all around.

Not surprised at all. The SN is decent.

Also, where the hell do you work? FEMA?

 

[JCastle1]

Extremely late to the game but finally got to try this one. It's so good, I love it!

 

[jupiter6xx]

Extremely late to the game but finally got to try this one. It's so good, I love it!

Legit one of my favorite beers I've had this year. So good.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Dovetail Festbier is coming. Brewed in mid-March ...

Don't have a picture, but consumed a couple of the Dovetail Festbier at the brewery last Saturday. Didn't disappoint at all, but the Ur-Weisse they had on (100% wheat hefeweizen) was the star of the show.

 

[purephase]

Anyone else been getting into these for this year? I've had a lot of Weihenstephaner already, which probably can be explained in part because it's been 90+ so often around me. I also think it may have been fresher than we usually get it this year, but regardless it's really been hitting the spot for me.

The Sierra collab has rightly been getting a lot of a love too, and I think it's up there with the Mahrs Brau as my favorite they've done in the series. The hops this year work really well as a nice counterbalance to the sweetness. Not quite at the level of the regular Weihenstephaner for me but still really good.

Looking forward to getting into Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, and other Marzens this month, hopefully when it's a bit cooler.

 

[NeedsMoreDog]

Anyone else been getting into these for this year? I've had a lot of Weihenstephaner already, which probably can be explained in part because it's been 90+ so often around me. I also think it may have been fresher than we usually get it this year, but regardless it's really been hitting the spot for me.

The Sierra collab has rightly been getting a lot of a love too, and I think it's up there with the Mahrs Brau as my favorite they've done in the series. The hops this year work really well as a nice counterbalance to the sweetness. Not quite at the level of the regular Weihenstephaner for me but still really good.

Looking forward to getting into Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, and other Marzens this month, hopefully when it's a bit cooler.

yup i'll probably pick up several this week. was the mahrs brau in 2016, a pale lager? that was really good. every year I fail to remember which festbier I liked the prior year, and still fail to remind myself to write it down. this year will be no different. although I have determined I enjoy the pales more than the marzens. I want to say the hacker-pschorr was my top last year. or hofbrau? i think hb. but, paulaner fest is good too. I've gone through SN collab and i'm not sure i'll revisit. not that it's bad, but for me, eh marzen. so yeah I usually hit each of the german brewers' festbiers, but would love suggestions of US brewers that do pales as well.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Alter Brewing Company (Downers Grove, IL) Festbier

Traditional American interpretation of the Festbier style which is a bit drier than Oktoberfest with less of the malt complexity, richness, mouthfeel that define the style to me. Extremely drinkable as a plus and tasted as clean as you can get.

Well considering my image is broken from previously, here is this years version for your viewing pleasure.

Appears to have moved even a bit more towards the "strong Helles" style of Festbier instead of the "light Marzen" side, but still a delicious clean malt forward sipper that drinks great during these still warm months.

 

[NeedsMoreDog]

Well considering my image is broken from previously, here is this years version for your viewing pleasure.

Appears to have moved even a bit more towards the "strong Helles" style of Festbier instead of the "light Marzen" side, but still a delicious clean malt forward sipper that drinks great during these still warm months.

 

[jmgrub]

Wayfinder Festbier is probably the best American-brewed example of the style that I have ever had.

 

[jmgrub]

Wayfinder Festbier is probably the best American-brewed example of the style that I have ever had.

Actually it's called "Freiheit!".

 

[Vogt52]

Sierra nevada hit another homerun. I enjoyed cigar city's marzen as well. Currently lagering a homebrewed marzen, really excited to try it out.

 

[rrrjjj]

I’m gonna need to get down to pdx for that wayfinder one.

I’ve been drinking the hell out of the SN one

 

[JCastle1]

Wayfinder Festbier is probably the best American-brewed example of the style that I have ever had.

Wayfinder has been on my radar for a while, keep hearing great things.

 

[MikeJones]

Time to get the season rolling. Always a fav.

 

[scramin85]

Time to get the season rolling. Always a fav.

look at that malty bastard! what a beaut!

 

[ccbstl]

Super bready and smooth, not much bitterness. A surprising amount of body for a 5% beer. I'm looking forward to revisiting when it gets a little cooler out. Good effort from a brewery more focused on english styles.

 

[FTowne1]

Super bready and smooth, not much bitterness. A surprising amount of body for a 5% beer. I'm looking forward to revisiting when it gets a little cooler out. Good effort from a brewery more focused on english styles.

I didn't realize that they starting canning/packaging their beers! Are they in stores or only at the brewery?

 

[ccbstl]

I didn't realize that they starting canning/packaging their beers! Are they in stores or only at the brewery?

Brewery only for now, they should distro after their expansion is complete

 

[tosh1]

Absolute solid local version checking in

I am hoping to grab a bunch more of this. It is a Marzen all ends up. Happy with this.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

I can't say that I have made many retail purchases of Oktoberfest in the past few years. Since when are most of the German Oktoberfest beers on the shelf Festbiers and not Marzens? Not that I am complaining about the Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn I picked up, but it basically a Helles Bock. At least the Hacker Pschorr is a Marzen.

 

[libbey]