Best commercial Octoberfest?
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So not sure if anyone has brought this up: the Oktoberfest we get in America, even from Spaten, is very different from the real Festbier. Weihenstephaner and maybe Ayinger are what you would actually get in Germany. I've heard that the American version (which I will refer to as Octoberfest) is actually more true to the original. Over time the Munich breweries lightened their beer to appeal to more people.
That being said, my favorite Oktoberfest:
- Weihenstephaner. Had it at about 55*F because I was thirsty, it was still one of the best beers I've ever had.
- Augustiner. Never been able to find it in America, but yes, it is the best on the Wies'n.
My favorite Octoberfest:
- Spaten
- Sam Adams
I am still debating it, but I think I might brew up an Oktoberfest with some smoked malt (not up to Schlenkerla smokiness, about halfway). Though it's a bit too late for the time of the year. Maybe I should make a Baltic porter with a bit of smoked malt...
That being said, my favorite Oktoberfest:
- Weihenstephaner. Had it at about 55*F because I was thirsty, it was still one of the best beers I've ever had.
- Augustiner. Never been able to find it in America, but yes, it is the best on the Wies'n.
My favorite Octoberfest:
- Spaten
- Sam Adams
I am still debating it, but I think I might brew up an Oktoberfest with some smoked malt (not up to Schlenkerla smokiness, about halfway). Though it's a bit too late for the time of the year. Maybe I should make a Baltic porter with a bit of smoked malt...
lowtones84
Well-Known Member
Paulaner and Spaten are good. Hacker-Pschorr is alright. I had the Great Lakes Brewery version and was not impressed, surprisingly. Normally their stuff is good, but it was just cloyingly candy sweet.
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grizzly2378
Well-Known Member
Well, since I started this thread I've had Sam Adams, Widmer and Ayinger. Of the three, Ayinger was my favorite. The other two were pretty good, but what I've really come to realize is that Octoberfests/Marzens just aren't really my thing. If offered any of the above, I'd gladly drink it, but I can't say I'll buy a six pack of any of them. I actually find myself tending more toward porters and stouts this time of year. To each their own!
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Close tie between Ayinger and Paulaner. Spaten and Weihenstephaner also delicious.
chrisroarshack
Active Member
Abita and Brew Kettle make a great (read malty) Oktoberfest. Def earned my love in place of Sam Adams, Great Lakes, and Brooklyn's examples.
ArcaneXor
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I enjoy Hacker-Pschorr's and Ayingers. I prefer the amber Oktoberfest beers (Maerzens) over the pale Festbiers (which are essentially imperial Helles).
Of the U.S. examples, I enjoy Cigar City's and Swamp Head's. I used to like Sam Adams', but it's gone downhill over the past three years in my opinion.
Of the U.S. examples, I enjoy Cigar City's and Swamp Head's. I used to like Sam Adams', but it's gone downhill over the past three years in my opinion.
SimonSaysBrew
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Augustiner is the fest bier that the Munich locals drink. Their Lagerbier Helle is the best. IMHO.
Hacker-Pschorr was the first German beer I ever drank.
If you can get the Paulaner Marzen, the Paulaner Wiesn and Sam Adams Octoberfest you'll have a good idea of where the style(s) are. Marzen and Festbier/Wiesn are going to be separated in the BJCP styles soon, and rightfully so. Sam Adams is not strictly in the German style but is an outstanding example of an American interpretation. Try to get some Trader Joe's Vienna or Boulevard Bob's 47 and some Paulaner Original to contrast Vienna Lager and Munich Helles with the fest styles.
Märzen is a sweet beer to begin with. That's probably the reason i only drink a few bottles of it per year. I like märzen, but I'm just not a big fan of sugar in general.
Brewed 60 HL of my recipe at a local brewery back in July; should be released within the next two weeks. Weyermann pils as the base with a blend of another five crystal malts. H. Tradition for hops. Hoping it's well-received.
lowtones84
Well-Known Member
I hear you. But I've never had a German beer in general that was as sweet as the Great Lakes Octoberfest. Admittedly, I am not that schooled in traditional marzen, festbier, or Oktoberfest, but nothing I've had suggested that amount of candy sweetness. Just had Hofbrau for the second time, might be my favorite.
HB is a good drop, that's for sure. I wish Alko would carry some Weihenstephaner Festbier. They carry almost every other type of Weihenstephaner, just not that one...
DontHoldItAway
New Member
I've enjoyed Ninkasi's Oktoberfest (Eugene) with nice hops/malt combination and think it might be a little higher ABV than most - I agree that Sam Adams used to be my favorite though seems not to be as good the last severals years.
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littletommy
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I had a Warsteiner Oktoberfest earlier today and thought "wow, this is really good", then I had a Sam Adams Octoberfest, which I really look forward to each fall, and it was awesome as usual......I had another Warsteiner a little later, and it just really doesn't have much flavor, certainly not anything like SA. Kinda disappointed.
Warsteiner is like right in the middle of the German equivalent of BMC class beer.
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