First Oktoberfest of the season

[hasher on hops]

I found Flying Dog, Dogtoberfest out. I would recommend waiting for something else.

[chazwicke]

I think Norm's already has one of the German Okto's. They mentioned it in the weekly email. Maybe Hofbrau

[hasher on hops]

I'm sure the first one varies with region. :)

[corysdad]

I found Flying Dog, Dogtoberfest out. I would recommend waiting for something else.


Usually Dogtoberfest is a good
example of the Okto from the
US and one I look forward to.

This years product for sure?

I was at a brewpub in Miami Beach
today and they had Spaten Okto on
tap. Barkeep says this years, Hmmm...
I didn't try it. Had to sample the house
beers. Which were all teriffic.

[hasher on hops]

Usually Dogtoberfest is a good
example of the Okto from the
US and one I look forward to.

This years product for sure?

I was at a brewpub in Miami Beach
today and they had Spaten Okto on
tap. Barkeep says this years, Hmmm...
I didn't try it. Had to sample the house
beers. Which were all teriffic.

They just got the Doggie style in. I didn't think it was old, it was just very plain tasting. Lacked the flavor or aroma of other Okto beers I've drank.

Speaking of Spaten, they (Jungle Jims) have been receiving Spaten throughout the year and believe they may be brewing it year round.

[corysdad]

They just got the Doggie style in. I didn't think it was old, it was just very plain tasting. Lacked the flavor or aroma of other Okto beers I've drank.

Speaking of Spaten, they (Jungle Jims) have been receiving Spaten throughout the year and believe they may be brewing it year round.

I was at Total Wine today in
Palm Harbor Fla. today. Lots
of FD but no Dogtoberfest yet.

As for the Spaten Okto being
brewed year round, there has
been debate on that subject
on this site in the past. Don't
know what's true for sure and
their date codes are not much
help either.

[beerking]

I was at Total Wine today in
Palm Harbor Fla. today.

You've been spending a lot of time in FL lately.

[fretlessman71]

I found a leftover H-P Okto in the fridge last night. I've had worse, to be sure. :)

[MeridianFC]

I've decided after last year that with the exception of Victory Festbier, I'm not going to bother with any non Bavarian Oktos.

[fretlessman71]

I feel ya. At least I'm not going to think of them as even remotely equal if I do. Is there a difference in classification with BJCP? There oughta be...

[corysdad]

I do like some US Okto's
or Octo's, they're just not
the same as or as good as
the Bavarians. But I try'em
just the same.

[beerking]

I feel ya. At least I'm not going to think of them as even remotely equal if I do. Is there a difference in classification with BJCP? There oughta be...

The BJCP Guidelines makes no distinction between "Oktoberfest" and Octoberfest. ;)
Kidding aside, while we may tend to name it slightly different here in the US, the two really are the same style. What we are really talking about here is a difference in either quality, or technique, depending on your perspective.
Either way, they are all "3. European Amber Lagers," in general, and either "3.A Vienna Lager" or "3.B Oktoberfest" to be more specific.
Since there is no INTENDED difference, marking one a different style would be pointless at best, and snobbish at worst ("your beer isn't good enough to be considered a Bavarian Oktoberfest, so we will call it an American Octoberfest").
Besides, the few examples we have cited here (notably Victory) prove that a true Okto can be made here. If the distinction between the "better" Bavarian style and the "lesser" American style were made, what brewer in his right mind would categorize his beer as the American style?(Remember, both with homebrew and commercial beer, it is the brewer that categorizes the beer.)

[fretlessman71]

Alright, so that makes sense... but most of us here in this discussion know what we're talking about when we say "Okto good, Octo bad"... there's that toasted caramel/melanoidin aspect of the Bavarian versions that the American beers can't seem to get. We've also talked about how it might be the barley available to the Bavarians, and how that strain/climate/soil composition makes a big difference in the flavor of the malt.

So, could it be said that purchasing one's malt from that part of the world vs. NOT purchasing it from there constitutes an "intended" difference in the beer? It's kind of that way with hops; why should the malt be any different?

I'm looking to be set straight here; not voicing an unalterable opinion (other than the fact that Bavarian Oktos simply taste different, and better)...

[beerking]

Well, I am not sure what source Victory uses for their grains, but IIRC, Baltimore Brewing, AKA DeGroen's, used grain and hops direct from the source, and I am sure Chazwicke will bear me out that they made a true Okto (as well as Bock, Dobblebock , Rauchbock and Hefe) with that wonderful "Bavarian" melanoidin character.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that using malt from somewhere else equals "intent" to brew a different beer. Sometimes, a brewery only has access to one maltster because of the wholesale arrangements they operate under. It does not make much business sense to buy all your grains from one company and then go ahead and buy the grains for one batch (or even a few batches) a year from somewhere else. I know at the brewery I am starting up, we are using Crosby and Baker in large part because we can order malt, hops, 5-Star, yeast, and a myriad of other supplies in the same shipment and save on shipping. At the pro brewery level, shipping for malt is VERY expensive (much like it is for those of us here that order online).

[fretlessman71]

Remember, I'm playing Devil's Advocate for beer accuracy here...

In one paragraph you mention how using malt from a specific region isn't tantamount to intent to brew a specific beer, yet in the preceding paragraph you talk about how one brewery did just that for that very reason. I don't get it.

[beerking]

Remember, I'm playing Devil's Advocate for beer accuracy here...

In one paragraph you mention how using malt from a specific region isn't tantamount to intent to brew a specific beer, yet in the preceding paragraph you talk about how one brewery did just that for that very reason. I don't get it.

The point I am making in the first paragraph is that American brewers can brew an Okto with the character we find in the Bavarian versions.

The second paragraph, in which I also state that some breweries cannot get the true malts from Bavaria or Bohemia, I am pointing out that it does seem to make a difference in the final product. I don't think using malts other than from Bavaria necessarily proves INTENT, or lack thereof. In the case of DeGroen's, the owner/brewer (Theo DeGroen, German born and trained) did get malt and hops from Germany. I suspect he used the malts from Bavaria because that is how he was trained, and that is "THE CORRECT" way, per his training.

[MeridianFC]

I think the BJCP Guidelines for the style are fine, I think many US Okto/Octos simply don't fit even that fairly loose bill.

[fretlessman71]

Maybe that's more to my point... most American Octos drink more like a vienna lager that's a tad on the heavy side.

[The Alchemist]

I agree with Fret that many of the Oktos don't seem to have the character that an Oktoberfest from Germany has. However, I think that even some of them have become a shadow of themselves and more of the modernized Fest designation. I truly would like to taste the good ones at the source(Germany).

Also, some US brewers make a Marzen that more closely approximates what the traditional Oktoberfest beers would have been like. Penn made a Marzen that fit that description probably better than their Oktoberfest. But, I can't vouch for what is coming out of Penn right now.

[hasher on hops]

Great Lakes is now out. It tastes pretty much like their Elliot Ness, which is a good beer, but they should be different.

[MeridianFC]

One of my local paint shops has HB and Weihenstephan Fest in now.

[Jake]

Flying Dog Dogtoberfest is the first Marzen I found so far. Really enjoyed the six pack.

[chazwicke]

Well, I am not sure what source Victory uses for their grains, but IIRC, Baltimore Brewing, AKA DeGroen's, used grain and hops direct from the source, and I am sure Chazwicke will bear me out that they made a true Okto (as well as Bock, Dobblebock , Rauchbock and Hefe) with that wonderful "Bavarian" melanoidin character.




I do. I miss Theo's brews much. The loss of that brewery hurt more than most.

[beerking]

I do. I miss Theo's brews much. The loss of that brewery hurt more than most.

We are definitely in agreement on that one, Chaz. Thinking this through a little more, I find myself coming full circle to a part of this whole melanoidin character issue we have discussed here before: What one thing did DeGroen's and Victory have in common? Answer: DECOCTION Mashing!

[MeridianFC]

We are definitely in agreement on that one, Chaz. Thinking this through a little more, I find myself coming full circle to a part of this whole melanoidin character issue we have discussed here before: What one thing did DeGroen's and Victory have in common? Answer: DECOCTION Mashing!

Game, set, match.

[corysdad]

Found the Sam Octo today
along with Dogtoberfest, Spaten
and the Paulaner Okto's.

Paulaner date code says
produced on 09/08, last years
model. Not sure on the Spaten
code, it did have a 9 in it, so
I assumed it is this years. I
left them there. Brought home
the Dog and Sam.

Consuming Sam now. Very good
beer as usual. But not a Bavarian.
Just not the same. I'll try the
Dogtoberfest soon and report
back then.

[corysdad]

Got the Dogtoberfest going
now. Very nice melanoidan
sweetness. Wife called it
candy sweet, good descriptor.
Kinda toasty with just the
slightest hint of hops in the
finish. Much closer to a
Bavarian Marzen/Octo than
Sams. With what we get here,
this one is usually my fave from
the U.S. with no disappointment
again this year.

[corysdad]

Back to the Sam Octo now.
Not really liken this one as
much as the Dogtoberfest.
Not near the bready sweetmalt
taste, more nutty and too
dry. Not what I expect from
the Marzen/Octo. style.

[hasher on hops]

Back to the Sam Octo now.
Not really liken this one as
much as the Dogtoberfest.
Not near the bready sweetmalt
taste, more nutty and too
dry. Not what I expect from
the Marzen/Octo. style.

Wide difference of opinion between us. I found the Dogtoberfest to be very plain. Edit....
Found Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Taste great, probably more filling. I'll run hills tomorrow.

[corysdad]

Wide difference of opinion between us. I found the Dogtoberfest to be very plain. Edit....
Found Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Taste great, probably more filling. I'll run hills tomorrow.


I tend to go more towards the
sweet taste that most of the
Bavairian Okto's have. So I
usually compare to them. Few
U.S. Octoberfests, IMO, have
this sweetness. The one's that
do stand out.

I will try all that I find and call'em
like I see'em.

[beerking]

I'm with Corysdad on the SA Okto this year. Had my first one last night and found it to have a very inappropriate (although not necessarily awful) diacetyl character.

Anyone else finding that in this beer?

[msk]

I'm with Corysdad on the SA Okto this year. Had my first one last night and found it to have a very inappropriate (although not necessarily awful) diacetyl character.

Anyone else finding that in this beer?

I was dissapointed in Sam Adams this year. This is only the third year I have had it, but it seemed to be bland compared to what I found before. I would describe it as less pungent or . . . bland? No bite, less sweet, less aftertaste, more thirst-quenching-guzzler than after-dinner-sipping.

I also got a Beck brand, which was less inspiring. Just got it tonight though, and had it after the SA, so perhaps the tasting facilities were hindered, so I will try it again tomorrow before anything else.

[corysdad]

BLAND is probably the best
discriptor for the Sam Octo.
After just cosuming another
12 ounces of it, this is very
bland beer, nothing stands
out. :(

[msk]

I have a Becks brand in front of me and applied it onto fresh taste buds.

Tastes a lot like their regular beverage. Same bitterness, fairly light body. It does have a bit of sweetness that their regular product does not have, but there does not seem to be a stronger flavor. I prefer flavor to bitterness.

Sadly, I think my 2 percent Liberty hopped APA third runnings batch has more body and flavor. [side-by-side tasting and the rewash seems stronger in flavor and weaker in bitterness]. I do not think I will buy the Becks again, even though it is only 25 bucks per case.

I wonder if I can find a third glass like these so I can open an SA and have a side-by-side-by-side. . . probably too late for the palet. The bitter bubbles have my tongue feeling itchy. I bet the Becks would be good with a Honduran maduro.

[wortchillergoal]

I just had the Great Lakes Okto on tap. It has to be one the best that I have tasted this year, or any year for that matter.

[MeridianFC]

I'm with Corysdad on the SA Okto this year. Had my first one last night and found it to have a very inappropriate (although not necessarily awful) diacetyl character.

Anyone else finding that in this beer?

Just had a few this weekend. Did not notice any diacetyl character but I did find the brew to be very average. It suffered from what many American Oktos suffer from and that's the "let's just put some more malt in it and call it an Oktoberfest" syndrome.

[chazwicke]

I'm heading to Belgium and Germany This Thursday for a little over a week. Wonder if there be any Oktoberfests consumed? Especially in Munchen. And thanks to an occasional poster here, We've got a visit with the brewmaster and tour of Schlenkerla up in Bamberg scheduled too.:)

[beerking]

I'm heading to Belgium and Germany This Thursday for a little over a week. Wonder if there be any Oktoberfests consumed? Especially in Munchen.

Probably not. Probably more Wiesenbier than Marzen style (aka "TRUE") Okto.

[msk]

I got some Dogtoberfest.

Not as sweet as I would like it, but it has a nice pungent flavor [not too bitter], a good hop flavor, and a great aftertaste. By far the best yet

[Jeff]

I'm sipping on a Sam Adams Octo right now and can't say that I taste any diacetyl, but I am getting over a cold too. It tastes so much better than the Leinekeugels Octo I had on Saturday that I can't say that it is bland by any means, but it may be lacking from last year.

[Stahlsturm]

Alright, so that makes sense... but most of us here in this discussion know what we're talking about when we say "Okto good, Octo bad"... there's that toasted caramel/melanoidin aspect of the Bavarian versions that the American beers can't seem to get. We've also talked about how it might be the barley available to the Bavarians, and how that strain/climate/soil composition makes a big difference in the flavor of the malt.

So, could it be said that purchasing one's malt from that part of the world vs. NOT purchasing it from there constitutes an "intended" difference in the beer? It's kind of that way with hops; why should the malt be any different?

I'm looking to be set straight here; not voicing an unalterable opinion (other than the fact that Bavarian Oktos simply taste different, and better)...

Maybe it's the brewing water ? That is a factor that has been largely ignored in beer discussions. I have long held the opinion that water is the difference that makes all those bavarian brews taste different despite the fact that their grain and their hops came from the same fields.

[wortchillergoal]

there's that toasted caramel/melanoidin aspect of the Bavarian versions that the American beers can't seem to get.

I believe that the BJCP style guidelines state that there be no caramel quality to an Okto at all in either taste or aroma.

I compared the Brooklyn to the harpoon version of this style side by side last night. I found that I enjoyed the Brooklyn more than the Harpoon. The Brooklyn had a toasted bready taste and a good malt body compared to the Harpoon. I found the harpoon to be rather bland.

I would next like to do a side by side of Brooklyn and Great lakes.

[Jake]

Had some SA Octoberfest yesterday and I thought it was pretty good. Had some good caramel malts that I like about Oktoberfest. I will say I thought it did not have as much as the Dogtoberfest did, but never less enjoyable. I have passed up the Leinenkugels because past experances of their Octoberfest wasen't very impressive and I don't want to waste my money.

[corysdad]

At the brewing club meeting last Sunday
we did a side by side sampling of the
Capital Okto, 12oz. bottle and the Hacker
Pschorr Okto/Marzen 5L. can. Both were
very nice beers. Cap being the best U.S.
Okto so far. The HP was much more pale
kinda like a Pils. and slightly more hops
in the finish than the Cap.

Also had the SA Octo on tap last night
and noticed big difference from bottled
version. I thought much better malt
profile.

[The Alchemist]

I just got a sixtel of Great Lakes Oktoberfest and was very pleased with it. It certainly has a malty backbone to it which I enjoy. It's the first thing that you notice. I ordered the Great Lakes or a Victory Fest sixtel, whichever got here first. I want to compare them together. I'll have to drink the Victory from a bottle though. Still wish we could get Capital in my neck of the woods.

[corysdad]

Weihenstephaner Festbier. Sampling this
one now. Not quite sure if this is an official
Okto or not, reminds me of more of a Helles.
BA has it listed under Okto/Marzen. What
ever, it's a delicious beer.

[MeridianFC]

Weihenstephaner Festbier. Sampling this
one now. Not quite sure if this is an official
Okto or not, reminds me of more of a Helles.
BA has it listed under Okto/Marzen. What
ever, it's a delicious beer.

It's a Festbier, the standard on offer at the actual Munich festival nowadays. It is more like a ramped up Helles. The Oktos many of us prefer are Oktoberfest Marzen, which I don't believe you find at the actual Okotberfest anymore. Ironic, no?

[beerking]

Weihenstephaner Festbier. Sampling this
one now. Not quite sure if this is an official
Okto or not, reminds me of more of a Helles.
BA has it listed under Okto/Marzen. What
ever, it's a delicious beer.

The Weihenstephan is definitely of the Wiesenbrau style. See my answer to your question on the "What are you drinking" thread for more info.

[corysdad]

Tonite I'm sampling the Spaten
Okto/Marzen which I believe is
this years brew only because
there is a 9 in the date code and
no 8's. So it should be fairly fresh.
But it seem's a bit mild compared
to what I remember from last
year and years prior. Still a very
nice beer just not as full flavored.

Anyone else tried this one yet?
Whatcha think?

[beerking]

OK. I just tried THE definitive American Okto of for this year. Victory Fest this year truly ROCKS. Best American Okto I have ever had, and tomorrow I will compare it side by side with one of the Germans, either H-P or Spaten.

This stuff is INCREDIBLE! I have always totally enjoyed Victory Fest, and have considered it to be the second best made in America. A close second to Capital that is. But this year, THERE IS NO COMPARISON. (I am going on remembered Okto from Capital because I cannot get it here.)

[wortchillergoal]

OK. I just tried THE definitive American Okto of for this year. Victory Fest this year truly ROCKS. Best American Okto I have ever had, and tomorrow I will compare it side by side with one of the Germans, either H-P or Spaten.

This stuff is INCREDIBLE! I have always totally enjoyed Victory Fest, and have considered it to be the second best made in America. A close second to Capital that is. But this year, THERE IS NO COMPARISON. (I am going on remembered Okto from Capital because I cannot get it here.)

Beerking, have you had the Brooklyn or Great Lakes Oktos? My store has the Victory Fest, I guess I will have to try it.

[beerking]

I thought the Great Lakes had a bit of harshness to it. Good, but nowhere near the melanoidin character of Victory.
I have not had the Brooklyn yet this year, but I have some in the fridge for this week. In prior years, it wasn't even in the running meladnoidin wise. Good beer though. Garrett does some good stuff.

[wortchillergoal]

I thought the Great Lakes had a bit of harshness to it. Good, but nowhere near the melanoidin character of Victory.
I have not had the Brooklyn yet this year, but I have some in the fridge for this week. In prior years, it wasn't even in the running meladnoidin wise. Good beer though. Garrett does some good stuff.

I guess I may not be clear on the melanoidin flavor characteristic. I did enjoy both the brooklyn and Great lakes offerings. I am now really looking forward to the Victory. Lucky for me that i can taste all of them side by side.

[The Alchemist]

I just sampled a bottle of Victory Fest. While memory can play tricks on you, I believe it is better then last years. I only had the one bottle and have a sixtel of Great Lakes, but I would probably agree that the Victory is smoother. However, I'm not finding that to be a necessarily bad thing that Great Lakes is a bit harsh. I could be happy drinking either. I've not sampled Brooklyn yet.

[beerking]

I got an e-mail from the brewery, and learned that Victory is "sourcing the best Munich malts made in Franconia" to which they attribute the quality of this year's brew.
Goes back to what we have been discussing before, it is apparently the source of the Munich malt that makes the difference.

[The Alchemist]

Certainly makes it easy to see why we like it so much.

[wortchillergoal]

I had the Victory today. I will agree that it is a very fine beer, Still, I tasted more of what I would call melanoidin flavor from the Brooklyn and the Great Lakes. I would also say that the Victory was the harsh one of the three. I had the Brooklyn from the bottle, the Great Lakes both bottle and tao, and the Victory from a tap.

[The Alchemist]

It's always interesting to see how different people interpret the same samples. One thing that I know from trying both of these (Great Lakes and Victory) is that my homebrew Okto stacks up very respectfully. Oktoberfests sure are a great style.

[wortchillergoal]

OTE=The Alchemist]It's always interesting to see how different people interpret the same samples. One thing that I know from trying both of these (Great Lakes and Victory) is that my homebrew Okto stacks up very respectfully. Oktoberfests sure are a great style.[/QUOTE]

That post is sure the truth. I am not saying that the Victory was a bad beer as I found it very enjoyable. It is interesting to see the different responses to the same beers.

I also like the fact that we seem to get a thread like this every year at this time talking about Oktos and how we view them that year.

[beerking]

Well, I just poured a Hacker-Pschorr Okto and a Victory Fest side-by-side.
The two exhibit a very similar bready, biscuity character we have referred to as melanoidin in the aroma. If anything, the Victory has slightly more melanoidin aroma. The spicy noble hop character (Hallertauer, I believe) is more pronounced in the HP, and perhaps provides a slightly better balance to the aroma than the Victory.
In the flavor, there is again more melanoidin in the Victory. There is also a touch of roasted character that is not as pronounced in the HP. The HP is a little lighter in body than the Victory, but the Victory has more of that bready character to it, which is quite nice.
Going along with the greater body, I think the HP is slightly more attenuated than the Victory (I am talking about a slight difference here. I would never pick it up if I was not doing a side-by-side. I would be surprised to learn the attenuation difference was as much as 5% or more, but I do pick it up.). Due to the attenuation difference, the HP finishes a little drier, which I like, but the melanoidin carries through more in the finish of the Victory, which is also quite nice.

If I were judging these two beers, they would probably be within 1-2 points of each other, and it may be that my mood or the other beers I had in the flight would have an affect on which one I preferred. At this point, I find the Victory slightly better to my palate, although that might change if I had a fresher HP (perhaps I should fly to Munich with a bottle of Victory in my luggage. ;) ).

At this point, without going through the actual full scoresheet, I would say Victory Fest 49 points (out of 50), and HP Okto 48 points.

[msk]

After a few weeks at room temperature in the closet, I tried another Sam Adams. The flavor increased noticeably. I wonder if it was unfiltered. I noticed in my homebrew that flavor increases as more yeast settles out, or at least there is less yeast floating around that numbs the taste buds? I hope it just needs to mature, as I liked it so much in the past.

I also snagged a case of Brooklyn and I thought it was a bit mild. Nice flavor, but no hop bite [and mild, but I already said that]. I will let some of it sit a while also. I got some Victory and I think I liked it more than all Octobers I have had, but it was still not memorable. Well, okay, it was memorable to the extent that it was more of a pils flavor than a munich flavor. At least the case I got had a real strong resemblence to the first pilsner I ever made. Very strong husk flavor. I must have become a snob. Maybe my taste buds got laid off.

I found the Long Trail Harvest. It was a brown ale, not an October design. I preferred it to all of the October models I have tried this year. It has a porter style flavor without the black patent sourness. . . probly why they call it a "brown ale."

I might have to get another case of SA and let it sit until December. Hacker-Pschorr might be my next beverage to whine about. If I can find some.

[hasher on hops]

I found a six pack of Warsteiner in bottles. Not that much difference than the regular lager.

I picked up a 6 of Paulaner. Haven't tried it yet. Anyone else had the Paulaner.

[unkle bik]

I got some Dogtoberfest.

Not as sweet as I would like it, but it has a nice pungent flavor [not too bitter], a good hop flavor, and a great aftertaste. By far the best yet
Is this the same as "Barktoberfest" that Thirsty Dog has put out?
If so, I had some on tap Sat. night. While I am partial to GLBC's version, this offering was much more pleasing to the palate. A bit lighter in body in body and wee bit lower in IBU's make it more drinkable. I agree with most that GLBC's version can come on strong.But letting it warm a little in the glass seems to remedy that. Both GLBC & TD's are comparable in sweetness.

[beerking]

Is this the same as "Barktoberfest" that Thirsty Dog has put out?

No. Dogtoberfest is from Flying Dog, in MD.

OBTW, I learned at GABF that we are NOT tasting melanoidins. Melanoidins are creates by Malliard reactions, but only contribute color. They have no flavor or aroma of their own.
There is a second class of chemicals created by Malliard reactions, which do have flavor and color. We more correctly perceive (taste and/or smell) Malliard reaction products (of which there are several, with chemical names).

This came from Randy Mosher.

[wortchillergoal]

I got to try my three favorites of thei year side by side today. they are/were the Victory Festbeer, Brooklyn Okto, and the Great Lakes Okto. The Victory and Brooklyn had a similar flavor profile. I think that Great lakes might be the best choice foir trying to convert a swill drinker or for one that has just started the craft beer way of life.

In fact, it was these beers that have shown me that ones mood and timing of the beer bears a great importance as to how that beer may taste. I had a GL on Sat night and wes like wow thos id damn good. Now as to style, I think that Brooklyn and Victory did a better job. Over all I would take the Brooklyn. Also, keep in mind that before I did the tasting, I had a roast beef sandwich with onions, mustard, and a hefty horseradis. I chased that down with a Dales Pale Ale.

[The Alchemist]

On Saturday evening my wife and I hosted are annual Oktoberfest party. Besides my homebrew Okto we had Brooklyn,Great Lakes,Victory, Sam Adams, Hofbrau,Kostritzer,Ayinger and Erdinger(which is not a true Okto,but a hybrid).

To be honest, I drank alot of beer that evening and it was tough to compare after having so many different choices(and amounts), but I really liked the Kostritzer. There was alot of malt flavor,which I appreciate in this style. I liked them all but the Sam Adams and Hofbrau would be lower on the list. I still have a few of some of these left and need to revisit them with a clearer palate.

[Mikegobrew]

OBTW, I learned at GABF that we are NOT tasting melanoidins. Melanoidins are creates by Malliard reactions, but only contribute color. They have no flavor or aroma of their own.
There is a second class of chemicals created by Malliard reactions, which do have flavor and color. We more correctly perceive (taste and/or smell) Malliard reaction products (of which there are several, with chemical names).

This came from Randy Mosher.

Ray Daniels also talks about this in Designing Great Beers in the "Beer Color" Section. It's funny you mention this because just a few days ago I was reading and had to make sure "melanoidins" was the same word I was reading on here. Then I got confused. Now I'm unconfused again. :D

[Jake]

Went on vacation to South Carolina, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Could not find a single Oktoberfest in the stores except Samuel Adams which I can get at home. One exception is I drove to the Mountaineer Brewing Company in Martinsburg, WV to view their operation and exchange some very sour Nut Brown Ale I had bought at a Food Lion in Berkeley Springs. They exchange my six pack and gave me 1- 12 oz bottle from just a few cases of Oktoberfest they had put into bottles (not for sale to public). All other of their Oktoberfest was on tap at a few beer bars.

I personally like more than 12 oz to fully judge a beer, but from that amount it seemed a little weak .

When I returned home I found Great Lakes Oktoberfest waiting for me which I'm drinking now, which is the best of all I had tried and packs a punch with a 6.5% abv.

[unkle bik]

When I returned home I found Greak Lakes Oktoberfest waiting for me which I'm drinking now, which is the best of all I had tried and packs a punch with a 6.5% abv.
Thanx. That's good to hear. I'm a big GLBC fan & have to agree.

I just got back from Elkins WV. (we took a ride on the Tygart Flyer, highly recommended) The restaurant in town served Mountineer Pale Ale. Wasn't too impressed. Too sour for me. But i will give them credit for trying in micro-brewed-starved climate.

[Jake]

Thanx. That's good to hear. I'm a big GLBC fan & have to agree.

I just got back from Elkins WV. (we took a ride on the Tygart Flyer, highly recommended) The restaurant in town served Mountineer Pale Ale. Wasn't too impressed. Too sour for me. But i will give them credit for trying in micro-brewed-starved climate.


micro-starved is correct. Coming from a state that has 29 microbreweries and another 30+ brewpubs to a state with just 1 microbrewery is not a vacation.

Their Stout was excellent. The Nut Brown was spoiled. The 12oz of Oktoberfest I drank was decent. The Mountaineer Lager was better that macros but not overly exciting.

Their brewery is in the back of a building which they share with two other non-beer related businesses. It is not a beautiful place but the beer making equipment was really nice shinny and new looking.

[D.reeno]

Congrats and welcome a whole new host of ADs. That is a nice looking razor for a first. What is it?

[Mikegobrew]

Congrats and welcome a whole new host of ADs. That is a nice looking razor for a first. What is it?

I don't get it. Maybe a Bic or a Braun?

[beerking]

Looks like some strange form of spam to me!