Panel picks for Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers
Check out the story in The Sun Taste section today, listing the beers that were picked as this year's favorite Oktoberfest offerings, foreign and domestic, and the favorite pumpkin beers.
I am less fond of Oktoberfest beers than I used to be . Maybe it is the influence of all those hop bombs that have muscled out my taste for malt.
Never much of a pumpkin fan.
Howsabout you? Have your Oktoberfest tastes changed?
Comments
After all my years on the Wies'n I find German "oktoberfest" beers by in large too insipid. Most of the beers served in Maß are lower in alcohol and flavor (despite the bier leiche) than the Americanized Oktoberfest or Märzen. I love the Augustinerbrä beers but their tent sells nothing but the foulest smelling fish.
Typically I left to go to Andechs am Dom to have their DunkIes (dopplebock) or Augustinerbrä brewhouse for Edelstoff from cask.
I loved the Mäzen from BBC when Theo and Bill were still there, and I am intrigued by the new imperial by Heavy Seas (Prosit). Not at all authentic but real flavor and ABV. I'd rather drink one of these than several of the standard.
On the pumpkin front. Generally, I'm not a fan. Like Christmas beers most of the brewers add too many spices that overwhelm the beer. We are drinking beer aren't we? Back when I was a professional brewer we made one and one only great pumpkin beer in which we included pumpkins sourced from a local orchard, scooped by hand and added to the mash in a "tea bag" infusion method. Somehow the great natural esters of the orchard found their way into the beer. However, in subsequent years the powers that were decided canned Libby's was the order of the day and we never again made a quality pumpkin.
Wie Schade!
Posted by: Trip Klaus | September 23, 2009 7:51 PM
I still adore BaltoMarzHon from Clipper City. Spaten's Oktoberfest brew is also outstanding.
In terms of a seasonal beers, Blue and Gray Brewing out of Fredericksburg, VA makes an fantastic spiced winter beer that you really should add to your list. The brewery is open for tours and their other beers are also excellent. You should make a day trip to see how our neighbors across the Potomac are doing the local beer thing.
Posted by: bryanintimonium | September 24, 2009 8:57 AM
So it took awhile getting around to drinking it (can the release of Christmas beers be far behind?), but I loved the Dogfish Head Punkin Ale. Would there still be room for one with pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dessert?
Posted by: Tim D | October 4, 2009 9:32 AM
Read a great treatise on Pumpkin beers in the new Ale Street News today in the "Steaming Pile" column.
Also noticed sevral breweries are promoting wet hopped beers. What's up with that? While I understand the process what's the advantage? Anyone tried any that are worthwhile?
Posted by: Trip Klaus | October 8, 2009 4:08 PM