The Best Damn Oktoberfest Beer is? Take the Poll! Tell Us!

Date September 20, 2011

I don’t know about the best damn Oktoberfest beer, but maybe you do?  It seems each year there are more and more available to try, and its kinda getting a little crazy now. I think  For the first time this year, I’m only enjoying one Oktoberfest beer, (no Oktoberfestathon in 2011) and its the one from Sam Adams.

Sam Adams Octoberfest CaseI grabbed a 12 pack of it even though I was on my beer-free September challenge so it would be within reach at the stroke of midnight come October 1st!

I really like the Sam Adams Octoberfest, but I don’t think its my absolute favorite.  So far, that would be the Victory Brewing Festbier for Domestics, and the Ayinger Oktoberfest for the Germans.  (I gave those 4-stars compared to the Sam Adams 3 stars)

So, considering this year I’m going light on the ‘Oktoberfestathon’ thing we usually do around this time, I need focus and help.  What do YOU think the best damn Oktoberfest beer is?  Take the poll, and please leave a comment!  If some sort of trend appears, I’ll seek it out and try it, but otherwise I’m done this year!

The best damn Oktoberfest beer is?

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Anyway, as a service to any people who stumbled across this post, here’s a quick index if Oktoberfest beers we’ve reviewed here over the years.

Oktoberfestathon 2010

Hofbräu München Oktoberfest – One of the ‘real’ German Oktoberfest brews.

Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest –  Domestic, with a solid 3.5 stat rating.

Victory Festbier – Mentioned above.  4 star domestic goodness!

Sam Adams Octoberfest – My ‘go to’ Octoberfest for 2011.

Otter Creek Oktoberfest – Solid brew from the peeps in VT.

Oktoberfestathon 2009

Harpoon Brewery Oktoberfest – Looks like I gave it a 2,5/5 stars.  Eh.

Ayinger Oktoberfest – Mmmm.

Löwenbräu Oktoberfest Bier – Another ‘real’ German Oktoberfest bier.

Spaten Oktoberfest Bier – Another unimpressive German.  Yawn.

Left Hand Oktoberfest – 3.5 stars from Colorado!

Flying Fish Oktoberfish – 3.5 stars of local Jersey goodness!

Beck’s Oktoberfest – Surprisingly good!

Oktoberfestathon 2008

Jack’s Pumpkin Spice – People like this one a lot.  Just not this people!

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest – Solid Import for sure.

Paulaner Oktoberfest – Another 4-star original from Germany!

Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest –  OK, not memorable.

Weyerbacher Autumn Fest Ale – Another so-so domestic.

And there you go.  And I didn’t even list out the pumpkin ales we’ve reviewed!  So anyway, what’s your favorite Oktoberfest beer?

 


11 Responses to “The Best Damn Oktoberfest Beer is? Take the Poll! Tell Us!”

  1. Ceetar said:

    Brooklyn for me. A little bit more full flavored. Thought Flying Fish OKtoberfish is up there too.

  2. Bob the Brit said:

    Has to be the Paulaner for me… what can I say? I’m Old School!

  3. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    Thanks guys. Bob, I need to revisit the Paulaner for sure, its been awhile!

  4. The Professor said:

    I’m not too impressed by _any_ of the American offerings…with a few exceptions they are certainly very solid beers in their own right but the flavors don’t compare to most of the German imports (even though they endure a long journey over the ocean) and don’t deliver what I expect from a true Maerzen. I do enjoy the Sam Adams rendition, though it bears little resemblance to any of the German ones.

    It has probably already been pointed out that interestingly enough, the Maerzen style of festbier isn’t even widely available (if at all) at Oktoberfest. We here in the states seem more fixated on that ‘style’ of beer than the Germans are!

    My current O-Fest beer preference is Hacker-Pschorr, with Ayinger running a close second.
    My preference 40 years ago was Löwenbrau Maerzen (sadly, no longer made).

  5. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @The Professor – Thanks again for the great comment!

    It is interesting to note the differences between the ‘originals’ and the American take on the style. Its a little like the IPA thing, how American brewers ran with it compared to the English originals.

    It certainly does seem to be a fixation, and as I mentioned, it seems each year there are more and more offerings available – each trying to distinguish itself from the pack. I would bet that its a big money-maker for most domestics.

  6. Spud said:

    I wanted to say Paulaner, but i’ve always found there to be an off-putting metallic taste in their Oktoberfest.

  7. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @Spud – anything else then?

  8. Jim J said:

    Hofbräu München Oktoberfest Bier has to be my favorite. Especially if you can get a case of it at Costco for $23. The Sam Adam’s is always good and you can find almost everywhere.

  9. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @Jim J – That’s a pretty good price for the case of HB. I tried that one last year and thought it was alright, though having only one sample is never enough! One of the things I like about Sam Adams is, as you mentioned, you can find it just about anyplace and for the most part, its good stuff! Thanks for the comment!

  10. Les Hancock said:

    You do not list even half of the big brew houses in Munich..! Easy for me to pick a favorite,,,which many Muencheners will agree is Augustiner. But often people will pick the bier tent also for the fun and tradition it offers. The last 2 years the Historical Wiesn part of Oktoberfest, It was a favorite of mine. Sadly it is not offered for 2012.
    I hope they change there mind. Prost AUGUSTINER!!!

  11. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @Les – thanks! Hopefully, you selected ‘some other German’ in the Poll! As you know, there are a billion Oktoberfest beers, but yes only a few ‘real’ Oktoberfestbier. If I included everything, the poll would be too big and people wouldn’t play! Still, I’m happy when people such as yourself take the time to write in the comments!

    BTW, our own contributor Nate was there this year. Check out his posts!

    https://thebrewclub.com/2011/10/10/oktoberfestbier/

    Prost!

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