Oktoberfest beer

[nickynick]

Just seeing if anyone else enjoys this style of beer. I'm a big fan of it. I don't know why, other than its only available in the fall which is my favorite season.

So I picked up a 12 pack of Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest. It is very good. Drank it most of the weekend watching football. Seemed to pair nice with that. Also felt like a good outdoor brew. Have a bit of a chill in the air here in the midwest and this beer seemed to fit the weather.

Think next I'm going to try Capital next, maybe Paulaner, Sam Adams, or Warsteiner. Maybe Becks. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[barturtle]

The Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen is excellent, Marzen is the same style as Octoberfest, this one is Smoked (Rauchbier). A wonderful bottling, about $4 a bottle, no not cheap, but not too bad either.

[Phischy]

Oktoberfest beers are lagers, which is something I can't brew at the moment b/c I can't get my fermentation temps low enough.

I love Oktoberfest beer and the fact I can't make it drives me nuts!!!

[Rughi]

Oktoberfest beers are lagers, which is something I can't brew at the moment b/c I can't get my fermentation temps low enough.

I love Oktoberfest beer and the fact I can't make it drives me nuts!!!

Beer fridge, dude.

I know, easier said than done. I got mine when I was a construction worker and a remodel was tossing one. Lagers aren't really more difficult, you just need that fridge in the garage.

[barturtle]

Beer fridge, dude.

I know, easier said than done. I got mine when I was a construction worker and a remodel was tossing one. Lagers aren't really more difficult, you just need that fridge in the garage.

Also you can check second hand stores...hell most of the fridges in junk yards work, just the inside (shelves and drawers) are broken...you dont need that stuff anyway.

[TBoner]

While I've gone the used fridge route in the past, too, the money you'll save in one year by buying a new, efficient fridge outweighs the free or cheap fridge itself. You can get something workable for a couple hundred bucks.

As for making Oktoberfest, it's still mighty hard, given that the best yeasts for the job tend to throw some serious diacetyl.

I like a wide variety of Oktoberfests, but my favorites are the Hacker-Pschorr and Hofbrau.

[Rughi]

As for making Oktoberfest, it's still mighty hard, given that the best yeasts for the job tend to throw some serious diacetyl

My old nemesis on this was Wyeast 2206 (as memory recalls). Wonderfully malty, but obnoxiously prone to high diacetyl levels. I've always had good luck with a diacetyl rest just after secodary fermentation before lagering. Bringing the temp up to ambient temperature for a day usually releases all the butterscotch. If not, a splashy racking aerated the beer enough to release the rest for me.

[Phischy]

It's not a $$ issue, it's a space issue for where I live. I'll get a new chest freezer eventually w/ a thermostat to regulate temps. At the same time I'll move into all grain brewing. I just need to get out of the apartment I'm in, but real estate in San Diego is so rediculous. I would kill to have a garage! Thankfully analyst out here are saying SD could be in for a 30-40% price correction. Which would put me into condo land (still over 200,000). So we'll see what happens.

[DrinkyBanjo]

I usually drink Samuel Adams Oktoberfest but your note inspired me to purchase the Hofbrau. Hope to sample some this weekend.

While I've gone the used fridge route in the past, too, the money you'll save in one year by buying a new, efficient fridge outweighs the free or cheap fridge itself. You can get something workable for a couple hundred bucks.

As for making Oktoberfest, it's still mighty hard, given that the best yeasts for the job tend to throw some serious diacetyl.

I like a wide variety of Oktoberfests, but my favorites are the Hacker-Pschorr and Hofbrau.

[TBoner]

Sam Adams makes a terrific Oktoberfest. I love it.

Yep, 2206 can throw some diacetyl.

An even better yeast for Oktoberfest is 2308, which unfortunately throws more diacetyl. A good diacetyl rest will help as long as you do it early enough (before primary fermentation is completely finished).

Phischy, I feel your pain on space issues. Glad we bought this house, and I can run my brewery without a room squeeze (usually).

[snakster]

Being a supporter of in state breweries (most specifically, my personal favorite, The Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre), I saw and purchased a case of Stegmaier Oktoberfest on Friday. Have only had one so far, and, as usual, it didn't disappoint.

[mgilbertva]

Sam Adams makes a terrific Oktoberfest. I love it.

Hmm, I'm not usually a huge fan of Sam Adams, although I don't dislike them either. But on your recommendation, I'll give the their O'fest a try.

I've avoided brewing beer. The reason: too little room and I would drink it. All of it. Quickly. I love the results of home-brewed beer that I've tried and sucking down that many calories would do permanent harm to my already too-bloated middle. Yes, I admit it, when it comes to good beer I am weak, very weak...

[TBoner]

Sam Adams O'fest is one ingredient away from greatness: water. I realized today drinking a Spaten Oktoberfest on draft that the carbonate character in Munich water is what is missing from the SA product. Without it, the maltiness can come across a little flat. It's still a great beer, and far cheaper than Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, et al. But I think adding some minerals to the brewing water might help.

[pepcycle]

In case anyone isn't jealous enought that I spent last week at KBF, I'll be spending this weekend in Cincinnati at Oktoberfest, the second largest in the world. (That's right, Munich is the largest)

If that isn't bad enough, there are only three places in the world that make Hofbrau Oktoberfest; Munich, Las Vegas and Cincinnati Hofbrauhaus.

Add to that, that we're staying across the street from Big Rock in Cinci, and you can imagine this is going to be a great weekend.

Any Zinzinnati folks game?

[jeff]

I'll try and make it

[BourbonJoe]

there are only three places in the world that make Hofbrau Oktoberfest; Munich, Las Vegas and Cincinnati Hofbrauhaus.

Prost Mein Herr.

Josef :usflag:

[Whiskey Willie]

In case anyone isn't jealous enought that I spent last week at KBF, I'll be spending this weekend in Cincinnati at Oktoberfest, the second largest in the world. (That's right, Munich is the largest)

If that isn't bad enough, there are only three places in the world that make Hofbrau Oktoberfest; Munich, Las Vegas and Cincinnati Hofbrauhaus.

Add to that, that we're staying across the street from Big Rock in Cinci, and you can imagine this is going to be a great weekend.

Any Zinzinnati folks game?

Is der Zinzinnati Oktoberfest just a veekend thing?

I am planning on hitting the German bar down the street here in Indy everyday to celebrate the two weeks of Oktoberfest.

[pepcycle]

Yes, just one 48hr sprint.

Check it out here.

www.oktoberfest-zinzinnati.com

[miller542]

Sam Adams makes a terrific Oktoberfest. I love it.

I agree. Their Oktoberfest and Winter Lager are perennial favorites of mine.

While technically not an Oktoberfest, I have grown quite fond of two 'fall' ales, Red Hook Late Harvest Ale and Goose Island Harvest Ale. Both brewerys make great beer year round, but the combination of a little extra malt, the changing of the leaves, and cool fall evenings is too much to resist.

Now that I think about it, oktoberfest and fall beers in general might just be brewings closest competitor to bourbon, if maybe just for me.

[cowdery]

My people are from the part of Germany where you can't possibly drink more beer in October than you do every day of the year, so we don't see the point of Oktoberfest.

A holiday when you drink beer? On what holiday don't you drink beer?

If I never see an old man in lederhosen again, it will be too soon.

People at Oktoberfest drink like they have either just that day discovered beer or have just learnt it's about to be discontinued.

[BourbonJoe]

My people are also from Germany, Bavaria to be exact. It is a Bavarian's duty to attend Oktoberferst to celebrate the harvest (and also to drink one hell of a lot of beer). I love the Oktoberfest. There is just something different drinking the world's best beer from liter steins with a 40 piece brass band playing vs. slopping one down in a Chicago bar with a half assed blues band in the background. My 2 cents.

Joe

[pepcycle]

Interesting Discussion.

Why is Gazebo more fun than drinking at home?

Hell, it just is.

Oktoberfest was great fun in Cincinnati.

Great Oktoberfest beers from Spaten, Sam Adams, Barrel Head, Hofbrau, Christian Morlein, Rock Bottom, Warsteiner and more.

Great Music!!- Although I didn't know that Margaritaville was a German drinking song. (I heard it played by at least 4 bands)

Great Food!!!!- Goetta Balls, Sauerkraut balls, metts, brats, knocks, limburger cheese, fried pickles, corned beef, streudel

Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit

Lederhosen were evident, as were cleavage revealing frilly white tops on ladies.

Pacing is the key. (Although, mine wasn't all that great)

I'm ready to do it again.

Haxen anyone?

PS: Im Himmel gibt's kein bier!!