Oktorberfest in August
It is not yet Labor Day, and already autumn beers are showing up in the market.
Flying Dog released its Dogtoberfest last week, about a month earlier than last year. It is Munich Marzen made with Vienna, Munich 90, Munich 100 and Light Munich malts.
The hops are German Perle and Hersbrucker. The ABV is 5.3 percent.
Flying Dog's Matt Crow said Dogtoberfest showed up early in the stores to keep up with competition.
Sure enough, Brian Leonard at the Wine Source in Hampden that a truckload of pumpkin beers, including Brooklyn's Post Road Ale, Fisherman's Cape Ann Pumpkin Stout, and Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin have already arrived in the market.
Is this too early for you to drink Oktoberfest beers? Or do you like getting an early taste on one of the many beers that will be out in the fall?
Dogtoberfest label by Ralph Steadman
Comments
Never too early for these brews. I find them quite a relief from all the hop bombs and as the Schaefer man said years ago, they are definitely the "one beer to have when you're having more than one."
Posted by: Dominic Cantalupo | August 11, 2009 10:07 AM
I think I can say that Oktoberfest beers are my favorite seasonals, so I've been looking forward to this year's batch. But considering yesterday had a heat index of over 105 degrees, this is just too early to be drinking these beers. I'll stick to my Summer seasonals and wit beers until at least September.
Posted by: NR | August 11, 2009 11:07 AM
Too soon! I haven't finished tasting all the summer ones yet.
Posted by: Heather | August 11, 2009 11:12 AM
It does feel too soon and I usually wait until at least September to drink Oktoberfest beers, but the other day at "Corridor" they already had a few brands out there including an import I had never had before and whose name escapes me at the moment. Oktoberfest beers being my favorite seasonal this was too much to pass up so I picked up a 6 pack, to rationalize this I also bought a 6 of smuttynose' summer seasonal.
Posted by: Steve J. | August 12, 2009 10:30 AM
The Southern Tier Pumking is out too. I found last year that if you wait until Halloween to buy your pumpkin ales, many of the good ones are gone. So buy them now and keep them for fall!
Posted by: Dave | August 17, 2009 7:26 PM