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.
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