Wayyyy OT: Oktoberfest Beer recommendations

[benb]

I have to say I really like the Sam Adams Oktoberfest as well.

I really like Marzens. The Sam one is just easy to find and very consistent.

I was in Germany this summer, wasn't in a big city, and the beer was very disappointing based on my high expectations. I'm not sure I think that was a country thing though as I was in Paris and Lucerne as well and it was the same story there.

I think American brewers have kind of taken the crown at this point. We are truly in a golden age.

Was the beer bad in Europe? No, I didn't have any bad beer. It was just mostly boring, practically every place I had a beer had the same 2-3 types of beer and the different beers from different brewers tasted about the same.

[redir]

Agreed, pumpkin spice in beer deserves a kick in the baws. I like Märzen style straight up.

[goonster]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Most taste like a slightly maltier lager to me.

That's because . . . they are?

Originally Posted by martl

it used to be a "Märzen", today it resembles mostly the "Export" kind.

Had a hard time believing this, but apparently it's true. Interesting, and slightly sad.

For me, in Munich, the answer is generally Augustiner, but of course there are exceptions to confirm the rule, depending on location, some of the styles, etc.

I do not generally buy imported lagers in the U.S., because the subtle things that make those beers so wonderful do not survive the voyage.

Lagers have a tough time in the U.S. craft beer scene because they take up at least three times as much time in the equipment, and aren't nearly as profitable in a market where people line up around the block for a chance to pay $20 for four cans of weird ale from a brand new brewery.

Of course, there are outstanding craft breweries whose owners or brewmasters have a commitment to lagers, and often have trained in Europe. Around here, Victory and Sly Fox are good examples.

Look for the brewery closest to you that either has a decoction kettle, or the brewer can explain, in detail, without referring to notes, why they don't need one.

[goonster]

Originally Posted by martl

i as rhe Paulaner brewmaster recently said: anyone can make a strawberry beer; but creating a good Weißbier consistently - that's an art"

He's not wrong, but this is a perfect example of the traditional German way: Quality, consistency, and doing things properly above everything. Innovate . . . only if we absolutely have to.

Actually, he is wrong in a very specific way. There is only a tiny community of people who can make a true Framboise Lambic, but in the Paulaner guy's view, that is probably barely even "beer".

Originally Posted by benb

I was in Germany this summer, wasn't in a big city, and the beer was very disappointing based on my high expectations.

I think American brewers have kind of taken the crown at this point. We are truly in a golden age.

There has been a contraction in the market, quite a bit of hand-wringing about the Brauereisterben, so a lot of areas are now dominated by the mega-brewers, and no longer served by small, family-run breweries.

In general, the German beer market is still very traditional. Very few styles are available beyond the standard lager and wheat beers. The biggest innovation in the last 25 years has been the re-emergence of unfiltered lagers (Zwickl, Kellerbier).

American brewers are unparalleled in terms of creativity and innovation, but Germany still leads the world in equipment and technical education.

I think we are in less of a golden age than a baroque phase, and I'd like a little more consistency.

[Jeff N.]

I believe STONE Brewing (San Diego) now has a brewery in Berlin.

[redir]

Originally Posted by goonster

That's because . . . they are?



Had a hard time believing this, but apparently it's true. Interesting, and slightly sad.

For me, in Munich, the answer is generally Augustiner, but of course there are exceptions to confirm the rule, depending on location, some of the styles, etc.

I do not generally buy imported lagers in the U.S., because the subtle things that make those beers so wonderful do not survive the voyage.

Lagers have a tough time in the U.S. craft beer scene because they take up at least three times as much time in the equipment, and aren't nearly as profitable in a market where people line up around the block for a chance to pay $20 for four cans of weird ale from a brand new brewery.

Of course, there are outstanding craft breweries whose owners or brewmasters have a commitment to lagers, and often have trained in Europe. Around here, Victory and Sly Fox are good examples.

Look for the brewery closest to you that either has a decoction kettle, or the brewer can explain, in detail, without referring to notes, why they don't need one.

In Virginia we have Devils Backbone brewery that makes what they call
Vienna Lager. It's pretty good IMHO. I bet you could get that in PA. They also sponsor cycling events too.

[Gsinill]

Gordon Biersch Märzen is my favorite beer brewed in the US.

[choke]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

Helles, Dunkles, Pils, Weissbier that's it for me.

No Kölsch? One of my local stores just started carrying Früh and I was very happy to see that, having spent a couple of years in Bonn.

[goonster]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

I believe STONE Brewing (San Diego) now has a brewery in Berlin.

Not any more.

Originally Posted by redir

In Virginia we have Devils Backbone brewery

I used to work in Elkton, have been there, and they are definitely one of the breweries with a strong commitment to lagers. They even have a decoction kettle!

Originally Posted by choke

No Kölsch?

It's a cheap dig, but I like to say there is a reason that Kölsch never caught on elsewhere in Germany.

[zap]

edit

Originally Posted by goonster

I think we are in less of a golden age than a baroque phase, and I'd like a little more consistency.

Agreed, more consistency. I had to return a few bad bottles. But what's cool is the local breweries always give me an extra just bottled and correct 6 pack as compensation.

Have yet to have Kolsch in Germany. Never spent enough time in the Koln area.

[martl]

Originally Posted by choke

No Kölsch? One of my local stores just started carrying Früh and I was very happy to see that, having spent a couple of years in Bonn.

i rather like Kölsxh.

[Gsinill]

Wife brought those home yesterday from her Costco run.
First year they carry HB as far as I remember.
They had Spaten as well, I will that pick up next time.

[zap]

Spaten in Germany tastes great. Imported to the USA Spaten, not so much.

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by zap

Spaten in Germany tastes great. Imported to the USA Spaten, not so much.

The Okoberfest one? I actually like it.
Not going to compare German vs. US versions...

[BobC]

So far my favorite thus far has been a surprise:
Shiner Octoberfest!

For the local SE VA folks, my favorite has been St George's (they are out of Williamsburg)

This week lots more selections should be coming out. At least I hope so.