Question about seasonals.

[skahtboi]

I have been told by a couple of beer purveyors that both Spaten and Kostritzer are marketing their Oktoberfest beers year round. Has anyone else heard this, or are these guys trying to sell their old beer? To me, it doesn't make any sense to be selling a "seasonal" beer year round.

[Bryant]

Originally posted by skahtboi
I have been told by a couple of beer purveyors that both Spaten and Kostrizer are marketing their Oktoberfest beers year round. Has anyone else heard this, or are these guys trying to sell their old beer? To me, it doesn't make any sense to be selling a "seasonal" beer year round.

Selling a seasonal beer year round makes perfect sense to me if the brew sells well. I think somewhere on the label it should state that it is now brewed year round. If the brew is selling well and they want to make it year round, then changing the name of it would probably confuse the consumers.


Bryant

[steveh]

The only German Oktoberfest I know of being brewed year-round is Hacker-Pschorr's -- and I think they've actually discontinued the practice.

Speaking with many of the beer stockers in local liquor stores, I've learned from them that Oktoberfests tend to stop selling after October 31st. There's something about the stigma of drinking an Oktoberfest "out of season" that turns off many folk. My local store owner told me that he can still get left-over 12 packs of Spaten and I've told him I'll buy them as long as he stocks them! Okto is my favorite beer style and I've been known to stock up on it to have it within reach until the next season.

As for older beer, I noticed many out-of-date six packs of Paulaner and H-P Oktos last fall, so maybe they are making theirs available year round now?

S.

[barley ben]

I know my usuall stop is still quite stocked up on Spaten Oktoberfest but I believe that it's because they overstocked on it. Haven't seen any of them wonderful sale signs on them yet!!

[chazwicke]

Yep, one of my local paint stores still has plenty of Oktoberfests left over.

[steveh]

Originally posted by barley ben
I know my usuall stop is still quite stocked up on Spaten Oktoberfest but I believe that it's because they overstocked on it. Haven't seen any of them wonderful sale signs on them yet!!

My local has it for $11.00 a twelve-pack...and that was the price back in September too! Get'cher store motivated! ;)

S.