German Oktoberfest Beers 2021

After trying some American-made Oktoberfest beers (see here), I thought I would give a set of German-made beers a similar trial. Seems only fair, right? Here they are...

Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier by Hofbrau Munchen (6.3% alcohol by volume)--The label is quite wordy: "The Oktoberfest originated in 1810 in Munich, Germany, as a wedding celebration for the Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. This product was created especially for this event and is brewed usually for the Oktoberfest, now the largest beer festival in the world. Hofbrau Munchen (HB) is one of a selected group of breweries granted the privileges of supplying the Oktoberfest with their products. Using the highest quality ingredients, HB's Oktoberfest Specialty has it own distinctive and unique taste." The color is a rich gold. The flavor is smooth and easy drinking, with a little tang of lager flavor at the end. It's so easy to drink, I can see why it is popular at festivals. I enjoyed it a lot.

Warsteiner Oktoberfest Special Edition by Warsteiner Brauerei Haus (5.9% alcohol by volume)--The label just says that they brew according to the German Purity Law and the business has been a family tradition since 1753. The website is more verbose: "Celebrate German heritage with this authentic, German Specialty Beer. A truly German import brewed according to the German Purity Law, as are all Warsteiner beers, in limited quantities especially for Oktoberfest celebrations. This special edition has a well-balanced, mild and smooth taste with a uniquely soft, hoppy aftertaste and 5.9% alcohol. So bring a bit of Germany with you to your next Oktoberfest celebration and bring a Warsteiner Oktoberfest Special Edition." The beer has a nice, clean taste at the start but then hits the hops at the end. The bitter kick is not to my taste but otherwise it is a fine beer. The color is dark for a lager but not black or opaque. This is a typical lager experience with a little more smoothness at the beginning.

Bitburger Festbier by Bitburger Braugruppe (6.2% alcohol by volume)--According to the website, "A seasonal edition, available only in the US from August each year for a limited time: our Bitburger Festbier – tasty, full-bodied and delicately malty-mild. Created by our brewmasters to enjoy the traditional German beer festival atmosphere. A very special malt composition, including Pilsner Malt, Münchner Malt and light Caramel Malt, accounts for its fine color and smooth body. Additionally, the beer is refined with Bitburger’s proprietary and unique hop blend called ‘Siegelhopfen’ (seal hops), which is sourced from a farm just a few minutes from the brewery. This drinkable 6.2% ABV full-bodied beer is the perfect marriage of hops and malt with a slightly sweet backbone, while finishing dry." The color is rich and hazy. The initial taste has a delightful caramel sweetness that naturally blends into the dry lager ending. The aftertaste is very nice and makes this a fun, easy drinking beer.

Weihenstephaner Festbier by Weihenstephaner (5.8% alcohol by volume)--The label says nothing about the beer and the website is barely better, "Not only a hit at the Volksfest - the Weihenstephaner Festbier." This pale yellow lager from the "World's Oldest Brewery" is also a bit non-descript. It tastes like a standard lager, fairly dry with a bit of the bitter at the end. The bitterness is fairly light and would probably pair well with something salty or some nice sausages.

Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest Marzen by Hacker-Pschorr Brau (5.8% alcohol by volume)--According to the website, "Forbidden as it was to brew in summer, a stronger beer – the Märzen – was brewed earlier in March. It would finally be served at the Oktoberfest, under the “Heaven of Bavaria”. We have returned once again to the age-old recipe and recreated that gloriously smooth, honey-coloured piece of history from times gone by. And all is brewed with due reverence to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516." The color is more like honey than copper. The flavor has the smoothness but not the sweetness of honey. The slightly sour ending makes it satisfying with some salty snack. It's a nice beer but not earthshaking.

Benediktiner Festbier by Benediktiner Weissbrau (5.8% alcohol by volume)--The website (which says Benediktiner is part of the Bitburger group!) states, "The closest thing to heaven: Benediktiner Festbier is a pleasure to drink thanks to its fine flavor, malty aroma, and intense golden-yellow color. The aromatic profile of Ettal cellar yeast paired with a soft bitterness from the hops makes Benediktiner Festbier a flavor experience.Brewed in Lich in accordance with the original Benedictine recipe for Benediktiner Weissbräu GmbH, Ettal." With a light golden color (maybe even like straw?), this beer has a light malt flavor that is very drinkable and refreshing. It goes down smooth and makes for a nice time. I liked it a lot. 

These beers all comply with those good old beer purity laws (maybe the exact opposite of Prohibition?) and sit in the same alcohol-by-volume range. They are all very close but the two favorites for me are the Benediktiner and the Hofbrau. Either one is a winner!

American Oktoberfest Beers 2021

Even better than the pumpkin spice barrage, Fall brings with it the happy inventiveness of local (and not so local) breweries. They want to imitate the Oktoberfestivities that happen in Germany every year, mostly centered around Munich. Here's a sampling I did of some American brewers' takes on the festive classic! 

Oktoberfest Beer by Lancaster Brewing Co. (5.5% alcohol by volume)--This Pennsylvania beer claims on its label, "Five malts, three hops and true Bavarian lager yeast go into our small bath brewed Octoberfest; resulting in a rich, copper colored, medium-bodied lager with subtle malt sweetness, balanced with the perfect noble hop notes, make Lancaster Oktoberfest an extraordinary classic. Prost!" The beer does have a beautiful color and a smooth, delightful taste. It drinks easy and has a lot more flavor than a regular lager. I would drink another!

Festbier Vienna Lager by Manor Hill Brewing (5.5% alcohol by volume)--Their website says, "For this traditional take on a classic style, we harnessed our German roots. This Vienna lager pours amber in color with a fluffy white head. It offers rich and bready maltiness and a hint of toast... all balanced by restrained and deliberate noble hop additions. This clean, crisp and very tasty lager is ideal for enjoying on an equally beautiful late summer or fall day. Prost!" The beer is a little cloudy and the color is maybe two shades too light for copper. It doesn't have a lot of flavor. I was hoping for something a little more robust, maybe closer to Munich than Vienna? I do like the steins on the label that look like the five side of a six-sided die.

Oktoberfest Bier by Jailbreak Brewing Company (5.5% alcohol by volume)--The website says, "Our Oktoberfest is our take on the traditional Bavarian Marzen lager. Unabashedly malt-forward, this medium-bodied, dry lager exemplifies balance between a carefully curated selection of German malts, ester-free lager yeast, and the appropriate tinge of continental hop character. Captivating aromas of actively baking bread and palate sensations of toffee-laced sourdough crust punctuate every aspect of the drinking experience, to the extent that our arms are already tired from raising our steins!" The beer has a nice coppery color that is clear. The initial taste is drier and tarter than other similar beers with a little sourness at the finish. This is more distinctive but not quite to my taste.

Festbier German-Style Lager by Atlas Brew Works (6.1% alcohol by volume)--The label says, "Lighter in color and in body than traditional Oktoberfest beers, Atlas Festbier features sweet malts under orange blossom hop aroma. An irreverent take on a German style. Lederhosen? Wear it. Schnitzel? Eat it. This Festbier tastes like Oktoberfest on American soil." This is a fairly standard lager, with less color and body than others inspired by the season. I'm not sure that works out in the beer's favor. I would never guess this is meant for Oktoberfest without the label on the can telling me. It's surprisingly unremarkable. Whoops!

Oktoberfest Lager by Von Trapp Brewing (5.6% alcohol by volume)--The label simply states, "A true full-bodied Oktoberfest lager dark in color with a fine caramel finish." It is a very coppery-colored lager, with the same ending of bitterness that isn't really what the label promises. It tastes just fine and has a charming invitation to visit the brewery's bierhall in Stowe, Vermont. Maybe if we are up there someday, we will stop in.

Oktoberfest Marzen Lager by Left Hand Brewing Co. (6.6% alcohol by volume)--The website says, "Let the rich copper hues of this bright lager shine from your stein! Our Oktoberfest märzen balances malt-driven notes of bread crust, biscuit and toasted pretzel with just the right amount of noble hop character, culminating in a dry & spicy finish. Deliciously repeatable, this take on the classic style is the perfect way to toast the season of crisp air, changing leaves and festival feasts. Prost!" The nice, light copper color goes well with the nice, light roasty flavor. The breadiness comes through brilliantly and a mouthful finishes with a dry, not bitter, flavor. I like this a lot. 

I guess it's Lancaster's Oktoberfest Beer versus Left Hand's Oktoberfest Marzen Lager. Both are excellent and would happily by a 6-pack of either. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with the Left Hand, but not just because I am left-handed! The bread-like flavor and the lack of bitterness are wonderful to me.

War of Oktoberfest Beers 2016

I decided this year to find the best Oktoberfest beer available in my area. Here's what I found after searching through various fine stores!

Festbier by Weihenstephaner Brewing (5.8% Alc./Vol.)--coming from the oldest brewery in the world (established in AD 1040), this German fest beer is light-weight, light-color lager with just enough tartness to make it better than a usual lager. But not a great fest beer.








Marzen-Style Oktoberfest by Shiner--from the label: "Here in Shiner, TX, (pop. 2,070), we're suckers for tradition. Which is why this classic Oktoberfest brew is made with the highest quality two-row barley, Munich and caramel malts, along with German-grown Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops. It's our way of honoring our ancestors and the beer they loved to celebrate with. So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew. PROSIT!" The coppery color of this brew is indicative of the caramely flavor that's hinted at as one drinks. It is both refreshing and hefty enough to feel celebratory. Another work of fine craftsmanship from Texas!




Oktoberfest Marzen Lager by Left Hand Brewing Company (6.6% Alc./Vol.)--from the label: "Toasty malt flavors dominate up front and noble hops lead to a spicy and superbly clean lager finish." A red lager with plenty of flavor, this tastes nice at the beginning but is a little bitter in the finish. I'm not big on bitter, so this is not my favorite.








Oktoberfest Marzen by Paulaner (5.8% Alc./Vol.)--Actually made in Munich at a brewery dating back to 1634! It's a copper-colored marzen with a smooth and satisfying taste. No bitterness to drag things down and no aftertaste. It's made for drinking more than one at a time, just right for an Oktoberfest. Too bad I only bought one.







Oktoberfest Seasonal Beer by Yuengling--Made by America's Oldest Brewery®, dating back to 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, this Oktoberfest calls itself a beer but is definitely in the coppery, creamy style of a marzen. It's a fine, standard Oktoberfest beer with nothing special about it but nothing against it either.








Original Oktoberfest Amber Marzen by Hacker-Pschorr (5.8% Alc./Vol.)--Another Munich-brewed beer, this one is from a brewery dating back to 1417 and their label proudly proclaims that they follow the "German Law of Purity of 1516," at least after their hundredth birthday. Today, they make a fine Oktoberfest marzen, with a fine amber color and a smooth, textured flavor. It has a nice complexity on the tongue but no aftertaste. A delightful brew!






Oktoberfest Beer by Blue Point Brewing Company--A brewery that claims to be "Long Island's Brewery since 1998" has produced a fairly standard marzen-style beer. The color is more yellow than copper. The flavor is a bit standard. Nothing outstanding, nothing bad about this one. Just your everyday Oktoberfest beer.








The top three are the Hacker-Pschorr, the Paulaner, and the Shiner. I'll be buying some extras of those.

Oktoberfest at the Kentlands 2015, Part II

More from the Oktoberfest (see the last post for Part I)

Outside of the Art Barn, we saw a demonstration of apple pressing, the hand-method by which cider is made. The fellow giving the demonstration was very informative. He let us crank a wheel while he tossed apples into a hopper. Inside the hopper, blades chop the apples into little bits which fall into a bucket underneath. After processing enough apples, the guy put a wooden lid on the bucket and used the press to crush the apples. The bucket has plenty of holes and a straining net, so the cider flows free. He told us about the different types of apples they use and how they are not allowed to serve the cider they press at the fest thanks to the local sanitary regulations. That was a bummer but we did get to take an (unpressed) apple home with us.

The crank and press

My daughter spins the wheel and crushes some apples

No cider pouring out yet

Cranking the press by hand

Using a stick to crank it even more

Cider flowing out

Further down the road, people tried samples from various local wineries at the Wine Terrace by the Kentlands Mansion. Since they had a 21 and over policy, we didn't go in.

The wine terrace with the mansion obscured by a tree

We walked back to the Main Street Stage to see our cousin's friend perform. On the way we stopped at the snow cone booth where my daughter made an egg custard/grape mix that she loved. I did not try it, so I can neither confirm nor deny its tastiness.

A yummy snow cone!

More booths on Main Street

At first, my daughter and I walked to the wrong end of Main Street and saw a steam punk band called Night Watch Paradox. We listened till the end of the song and then went the other way down Main Street.



At the (other) Main Street Stage we saw Face, the a cappella band with a member we know. He's the boyhood next door neighbor of the husband of the cousin of my wife. So you can see how close we are. Their music was very impressive.

Going the right way on Main

Face the picture

After the concert, we wandered a bit in search of cotton candy. We saw some more fun things on the way.

Main Street sculpture

A charming house

We didn't find any cotton candy, so we settled for kettle corn, which we brought home so the rest of the family could have a taste of the Oktoberfest.

Kettle corn stand with red canopy

Kettle corn safely on the way home

Oktoberfest at the Kentlands 2015, Part I

This year we celebrated Oktoberfest at Oktoberfest at the Kentlands. The Kentlands is a section of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and has both a strip-mall, chain-store shopping area and a quaint historic neighborhood with a market square, village green, and mansion. The fest stretched between all of these spots, making it one of the larger street festivals I've seen. Just my daughter and I went since the toddler is on an anti-social napping schedule and the birthday boy had a friend coming over. The first thing we saw (after getting off the shuttle from parking) was a balloon tower.

Going in the right direction

We navigated many streets full of booths to get to the Oktober part of the fest. We had some snacks and I had a beer as we watched the traditional German dancers.

Shopping...

...more shopping!

Volk dancing...

...more dancing!

Beer and a pretzel

Right nearby is the Arts Barn which was having an open house, featuring all sorts of art and a chance to get a picture with the Arts Barn resident ghost.

Arts Barn

Relatively dark inside

Face painting outside

Let me have my sunglasses back, please!

Visiting the ghost was tricky. When we first went, we got to the front of the line only to discover that the ghost was going on a twenty minute break! We came back later in the day and did make it in to see the ghost. Or the ghost's shadow, which appeared on a sheet right behind us. I tried to take a picture, but as is usual with paranormal evidence gathering, the photo did not turn out well.

Knocking on the ghost's door

Waiting for the ghost

I swear the ghost appeared just behind this sheet and I saw its shadow! 

Back outside, we saw an American version of the Green Man. The Green Man is a mythical figure who represents the fertility of nature. He's often seen in architectural carvings both medieval and modern with leaves around his face or shooting out his mouth. Spring is his season. This guy is more about Fall, with red, orange, and yellow hues. He was walking around and getting his picture taken.

The Orange Man? (Red and Yellow wouldn't work)

Front view with someone photo-bombing us

More in the next post!

Frederick Oktoberfest 2014

At the end of September 2014 we went to an Oktoberfest in Frederick, Maryland. It was held at the fairgrounds and was a fun time for young and old. Especially for those who could drink beer.

Unassuming entrance to the Oktoberfest

We entered by the front of the fairgrounds and immediately ran into a pen with two alpacas in it. The owners have a farm and make alpaca wool products. We were more interested in petting than in purchasing.

Two alpacas

Such a sweet face!

Across the fairway a group a booths were selling souvenirs and strudels. We didn't buy any souvenirs and waited (but not very long) to buy a strudel. It was delicious!

Sales of souvenirs and strudels

The main building was the fest hall where food and beer were served while polka music played. We spent a good bit of time in there, enjoying the band (Mike and the Continentals) and the folk dance company (Bairisch und Steierisch). The company would perform during dance breaks and invited audience members to join in. I was off getting beer or I would have gladly volunteered.

Dancing in the fest hall

L had cider, not my beer!

The beers I did have were the following:

• Hefeweisen by Brewer's Alley and Monocacy Brewing Company--a great, refreshing wheat beer.
• Oktoberfest (Marzen) by Brewer's Alley and Monocacy Brewing Company--would have gone well with food but a little strong on its own.
• Oktoberfest (Marzen) by Flying Dog Brewery--another strong beer that needed some accompaniment to set it off. We had a pretzel that made it just right.

Other than the strudel, we didn't have any German food, which is a bit of a shame but I'm sure we would have spent too much time trying to convince J and L to eat.

Later on, the band had a polka contest. By that point, my sister and niece had arrived so they held baby N while my wife and I danced. We came in second place!

Auntie and N

Such a sweet face!

Happily, there are no pictures of our performance so you, dear readers, can't tell if we just didn't have any competition (except for the winning couple, who won a certificate and some free beers) or struggled our way to the top.

Outside were plenty of booths selling a plethora of wares from home-made clocks to clothes to jewelry to t-shirts to candy.

Photo op at the dirndl and lederhosen booth

Beer themed t-shirts

My favorite (though I did not buy it)

Roasting peanuts

L got a gummy rat at the candy shop which she ate while we danced.

Looks like a gummy snake in this picture

Too much rat makes L look like she drank my beer

Also outside a local wood carver was demonstrating his art while selling his products.

Wood carving with power tools!

Samples for sale

L on a bench

Bear and J

Bear and L

The most popular spot outside for J and L was the kids' zone. J loved the bouncy castle, L the crafts. She decorated a pumpkin and stuffed a scarecrow. The area also included a DJ and dance floor but the DJ was playing more adult music than I thought appropriate. Maybe that's why no kids were dancing.

Approaching the kids zone

The kids tent

L's pumpkin

Making a scarecrow

Happily, we avoided making the scarecrow until we were ready to leave, so we didn't have to carry it around, just back to the car. A fun time was had by all!