Earth Rider Festbier

 

Earth Rider Festbier.

5.7% ABV, 30 IBU. Earth Rider Brewing, Superior, Wisconsin.

Oktoberfest can be a confusing festival, for some. Not everyone knows that the main event in Munich starts in September and ends in early October. They wonder why they can’t find any at the middle of the month. Further confounding is that there are two styles, the original märzen and it’s current replacement in the Munich tents, Festbier. If it’s German, you know what you’re getting, for the label will either say märzen or festbier. With American versions, it’s not always clear. Most American craft beer Oktoberfest beers will be märzens. Sometimes, though, the label will say Festbier, and it’s actually a märzen. Let’s get it together, people!

This one from Earth Rider is called Festbier. The label is blue with some white, the only colors an Oktoberfest label needs. A woman plays accordion in front of some tents. So, which one is this?

Clear, pale golden, slim, but lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: clea, bright, floral, malty, lovely lager aromas.

In the mouth: crisp, clean, light, ending dry. Distinctly hoppy, exceptionally light, smooth, drinkable. You can hoist a stein or ten, or take down a whole boot, if you want.Easy drinking beer, for sure, here. 

I like märzens better, for they pack more flavor than this leaner style. But if the tuba’s pumping and the leiderhosen’s jumping, who am I to quarrel? Roll out those barrels!

The life of the party! Earth Rider’s Munich-style Festbier is a golden lager with bready malt character and subdued floral-hop aroma.

Pipeworks Friday Night Dice India Pale Ale

 Pipeworks Friday Night Dice India Pale Ale. Brewed with Mosaic, Idaho 7, & Centennial hops.

7.3% ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, Illinois.

At last, a non-hazy IPA! Sign me up! 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus bonanza. Lemon, grapefruit, orange zest. Pinch of pine. Beautiful.

In the mouth: bracing blast of bitterness up front, slight sweetness, moment of juicy, ending dry. Medium bodied, exceptionally smooth and easy drinking. Each sip demands the next. Huge citrus on the palate, with never ending bitter bites. My kind of IPA, all the way. 

This one’s got the goods. 

3 dice. 3 rolls. Roll 4-5-6 and it's a win. 1-2-3 is an auto roll out. Doubles cancel for your score. Roll a trip and it's best after 4-5-6.

Junkyard Fractured Planet Pale Ale

 Junkyard Fractured Planet Pale Ale. With a house blend of hops featuring Citra and Mosaic. 

5.3% ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, Minnesota.

Hey, a pale from Junkyard, not a hazy NE IPA! I wonder if...no, Hell, no..

Cloudy, hazy, rich in protein. Thick, impenetrable. Bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: big grapefruit, orange, lemon. Lightly fragrant.

In the mouth: juicy. Slight bitterness. Mostly smooth and untroubled. Minor malt. Drinkable and fuzzy. But just once, I want to see through the danged thing. 

In other news, I am going to begin referring to anyone younger than myself as Sonny Jim from now on.

Badger Hill Oktoberfest Märzen Lager

 Badger Hill Oktoberfest Märzen Lager.

5.5% ABV, 25 IBU. Badger Hill Brewing, Shakopee, Minnesota.

Clear, amber hued, slim white head.

In the nose: malty-sweet, earthy, bright. Highly likable. 

In the mouth: malty, smooth, delicious. Medium bodied, moderate hops, excellent balance. All the right malts in proper order. Classic märzen flavor, perfect for festing the night away. I’m glad I grabbed some of this before it went away.

Steel Toe Märzen Lager

 Steel Toe Märzen Lager.

5.8% ABV, 30 IBU. Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. 

So, a part of me thinks “eleven years in, and they finally make an Oktoberfest?” But, now that I think of it, it took Summit more than eleven years to release theirs, so, who cares, how’s it taste, and smell, and look?.

For this label, they have skipped the blue and white for Bavaria and chosen to salute the entire nation of Deutschland. Also, it appears to be part of the Brewers Evolution series. 

Clear, amber toned, slim beige-ish head.

In the nose: malty, smooth, balanced, grassy, noble hops. 

In the mouth: smooth, clean, malty. Toasty, bready, caramel-ish. Exceptionally likable. Why did it take them eleven years to make this? Medium bodied, terrifically drinkable. Pretty much a perfect märzen. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that. 

Surly Neon Pixels Hazy IPA

 Surly Neon Pixels Hazy IPA. 

7.2% ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (And Brooklyn Center, too).

Hey, a hazy! I love....like... ....somewhat tolerate them!

Hazy and golden, slim white head.

In the nose: big citrus, lemon and grapefruit.

In the mouth: burst of bitterness, splash of citrus with a whisper of pine. Touch of tropical, some pineapple and mango.Then it’s all soft and smooth. High carbonation. Moderate maltiness. Well drinkable, highly Hopped. Not too shabby.

I was surprised by this. Hardly resembles the hazies I hate. But that’s never really been Surly’s style.

Glowing with fruit-forward hop flavor from the use of Idaho 7™, Strata, and Citra hops, Neon Pixels Hazy IPA lights up the screen.

Falling Knife Sömmersend German-style Märzen Lager

 Falling Knife Sömmersend German-style Märzen Lager. With Munich, Vienna and Pilsner malts.

6% ABV. Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The March of Märzens continues. And who knows, maybe before we’re done, a Festbier or two.

Clear, amber hue, slim ring of creamy, beige-ish foam.

In the nose: Classic märzen aromatics, grassy hops, clean and malty. Slightly sweet and earthy. 

In the mouth: crisp, smooth, classy. Clean, lean, malty. Exceptionally drinkable and flavorful. Raise a stein to summer’s end, and hip, hip, hooray for the harvest.

56 Brewing Raspberry ‘ssippi Squeeze Hazy IPA

 56 Brewing Raspberry ‘ssippi Squeeze Hazy IPA.

6% ABV, 40 IBU. 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reasons you know that I did not purchase this beer with my own dollars. 1. It is a hazy IPA. 2. It is a fruited version of a hazy IPA. Nonetheless, a sample found it’s way to me and I must review.

It’s hazy, softly golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: fruity. Tart. Berries. Rasp, I’m sure.

In the mouth: more tart, more fruit. Little hops, bitterness. It is a beer, though. That makes it better than a seltzer. Slightly sweet, turning dry. Medium bodied, long, fruity finish. 

It’s not my favorite, but neither is it too shabby there. 

Famous 'Ssippi Squeeze fruited with delicious raspberry puree. 

Mason Ale Works Dankenstein’s Monster Unfiltered Double IPA

 

Mason Ale Works Dankenstein’s Monster Unfiltered Double IPA.

10% ABV. Mason Ale Works, San Marcos, California.

Lightly hazed, more of a chill haze, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: dank is correct in this instance. Ripe citrus and plenty of pine. Hoppiness in extremis. 

In the mouth: big, bitter, dry, dank, all kinds of dank. This is exactly my kind of DIPA. And at 10% ABV, it’s not trying to call itself a triple. I like a brewery that shies away from terrible trends. 

I’d never heard of this brewery before these cans came into the store. Next up will be their West Coast IPA named for the Bride. I’m a big fan of that film, love Elsa Lancester. So glad to find a San Diego brewery doing it old school with no apologies. 

Medium bodied with a long, bitter, unwaveringly dank finish. This monster is really doing it for me. 

The color of the label makes me think the can will glow in the dark. Not really, but the lightning bolts really pop.

IT'S ALIVE!!! IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIVEEEEEEEE!!!

Just in time for the spooky season, this monstrous unfiltered double IPA is packed to the brim with classic and dank hops. We pieced together this monster with Cascade, CTZ, Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe giving you big citrus big pine, and all the dankness you could ask for. 

Half Acre Lagertown Oktoberfest

 Half Acre Lagertown Oktoberfest. Brewed and canned by Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago, Illinois.

5.8% ABV. 

I like this label. Sketchy, cartoony, but...why an owl without any squid?

Clear, dark amber hued, slim, but lasting layer of white foam atop.

In the nose: some malt sweetness, a hit of noble hops, exceptionally clean and balanced. Very märzen.

In the mouth: smooth, malty, balanced from the start. Not quite crisp, but snappy all the same. Nice malt flavors, mellow hops. Exquisitely drinkable. 

There’s something about this one that sets it apart from the rest. Right on the money. 

Take a trip to Octoberfest and hang out in Lager Town. A rich, malty Octoberfest experience awaits you. This marks Lager Town's maiden voyage into bottles in an attempt to capture its sturdy amber frame.

Founders Ultimate Oktoberfest Imperial German-style Märzen Aged in Bourbon Barrels

 

Founders Ultimate Oktoberfest Imperial German-style Märzen Aged in Bourbon Barrels.

10% ABV, Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I may have had an Imperial Oktoberfest before, but this may be my first barrel aged I. O. What’s that like? Let’s find out. 

Crystal clear, bright amber hue, small white head.

In the nose: big bourbon at the start, vanilla meets charcoal, oak on top of rich malt. 

In the mouth: caramel sweetness plus alcohol heat. The märzen beneath is recognizable, but largely covered by barrel character. A part of me wants more bourbon, but a wiser part of me says No, This is Enough. Spicy, sweet, oaky, malty, rich and tasty. 

I’m enjoying this. Glad I gave it a go.

Roll out the barrel…the bourbon barrel, that is! We’re taking the classic German-style Marzen and kicking it up a notch by adding the smooth, rich flavors that only nine months in a bourbon barrel can provide! Get out your Lederhosen and prepare for an intense wave of Bavaria Hysteria – Ultimate Oktoberfest is here!

The Bruery Black Tuesday Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

 

The Bruery Black Tuesday Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout. 2021 Edition. 

18.9 % ABV. 1 pint can. The Bruery, Placentia, California. 

Strictly ebon appearance, slim, soon gone brown head, full opacity. 

In the nose: char, ash, maple, caramel. Hint of smoke, touch of anise. Dark fruits, a little chocolate. Terrifically complex and deliciously deep. Wow. Wha-ow. 

In the mouth: much malt, vast richness, super sweetness (though not overly). Molasses, maple, deep, dark chocolate. Goes from Wow to Whoa. Dark rum, caramel, sweet and succulent. Powerhouse. This will be an excellent nightcap. 

Time for tiny little sips until bedtime. 

Born from arguably the most miserable day in the history of The Bruery, Black Tuesday quickly became legend and lore in the craft beer community. A 16 hour brew-day, overflowing mash, burns from scalding water and frustration resulted in the base for this now legendary Imperial Stout. Founder Patrick Rue was so angry with the beer that he condemned it to Bourbon Barrels for a year. The Result? The most decadent of ales, developing deep, warming notes of vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, bourbon, dark fruit and singed oak.

Invictus 1.7 Million Megawatts British Summer Ale with Solar Grown Honey

 Invictus 1.7 Million Megawatts British Summer Ale with Solar Grown Honey.

5.2% ABV, 20 IBU. Invictus Brewing, Blaine, Minnesota. 

I’ve been ignoring this one for too long. Summer’s over. Oktoberfests and pumpkin beers crowd the shelves. No more summer beers! Drink ‘em if you got ‘em.

 Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: honey comes through from the start, followed by lemon. Lightly hopped, floral. 

In the mouth: bright, hoppy, lively. Light bodied, mostly citrusy, minor malt. Slight sweetness, well balanced. Moderate bitterness. 

Fairly decent English Summer Ale. You don’t see those around these days. 

British Summer Ale

Hot off the presses.  We are proud to collaborate with Connexus Energy, our electric Co-op, on this special beer promoting the benefits of solar energy and celebrating the installation of our very own rooftop solar array last fall.

The Brewing Projekt WIsktoberfest 2022

 The Brewing Projekt WIsktoberfest 2022. 

5.9% ABV. The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 

And here we have one of the least expensive Oktoberfest 4-packs I’ve seen lately, a mere $9.99. I had to give it a try. I’ll go as high as $11.99, but when they’re asking $14.99 I’m gonna pass. If this brewery sells their Oktoberfest for ten bucks, I sure as hell ain’t paying $15 for anyone else’s. 

Clear, rich amber hued, small white head.

In the nose: deep, malty goodness, classic märzen nose. Slightly sweet, earthy, perfect. 

In the mouth: Caramel-y, rich, sweet, balanced, drinkable, delicious. Tastes just like a märzen should. Medium bodied, Moderate/ low bitterness. Nothing but yum a dum dum. So help me, I like it. Traditional German-style festbier. Toasty, bready, crisp and clean. Because it's fall in Wisconsin, duh

Surly Blast Beat Sultana IPA

 Surly Blast Beat Sultana IPA. Fruity. Dank. Percussive. 

6.7% ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From the latest (and late) Hoppy Pack. One left after this. 

Lightly hazed, golden hue, small white head.

In the nose: citrus and pine, Lemon rind and grapefruit pith.

In the mouth: nice bitter bite up front, good and hoppy. Well-rounded, smooth, juicy. Highly likable IPA. Medium bodied. soft finish. Ending a little dryness. This works for me. 

Blast Beat hammers home the dank, citrusy notes of the Sultana hop. Loud fast rules.

Toppling Goliath Limited Edition Oktoberfest Lager

 Toppling Goliath Limited Edition Oktoberfest Lager.

5.2% ABV, Toppling Goliath Brewing, Deborah, Iowa.

It’s been over two years since the last time I bought a TG 4-pack. This one is not a hazy IPA, or painfully overpriced. It’s September already, so let’s drink some Oktoberfest bier!

Clear, amber-hued, small white head.

In the nose: sweet malty notes, lightly fruity, slightly vegetal, balanced with noble hops.

In the mouth: hearty, malt-forward, smooth, rich in flavor. A little caramel, a touch of toast. Excellent drinkability. Classic märzen style. Incredible balance. Just an easy drinking O-fest. Prost!

Raise a glass of Oktoberfest in celebration, and watch as the light dances off its rich amber color. Enjoy a beautiful bouquet of soft caramel and biscuit before the first sip blankets your palate with malty notes of fresh-baked bread.

BlackStack Back In My Day West Coast IPA

 BlackStack Back In My Day West Coast IPA. An IPA to Complain About.

6.9% ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Clear, golden toned, slim white head.

In the nose: hoppy, citrusy, lemony. 

In the mouth: little hop bitterness, some hop flavors, some citrus. No engagement with the palate. None. Drab and dull. Does nothing in the style of a West Coast IPA. What is this vs. what it’s trying to be? Is it even trying? 

So, they brand a beer mocking people who wish there were West Coast IPAs like in the good ol’ days of 10 years ago, and they put out a piss-poor nothing IPA. Limp, lame, absolutely disappointing. 

I’m supposed to think of Dana Carrey’s Old Man or that perennial meme of Grandpa Simpson. But instead it’s a mockery, a weak nothingness, ...why even bother, if this is the best you can do? And I know it isn’t....I’m so tired of the smarm. Make a real WCIPA, stop fucking around.

When this one arrived, i wondered why it was “to complain about”. If you make a good IPA, I won’t complain. Now, I see how they’ve tricked me. Yes, I will complain about shitty, pointless, misinformed, maladjusted, drab and dull so-called IPAs.

I have a Steel Toe Size 7 in the fridge. Drinking that next to remind me that I am not wrong. 

Back in my day we didn't have all these fancy new versions of hops, like: Crosby Estate Comet, Michigan Grown Chinook or American Noble Cascade. Or Fancy Thiol Freeing Yeast made out of our favorite West Coast Strain. We had to walk 7 miles to school everyday. In the snow. With no shoes. Up hill. Both ways. Count your blessings Youngin'.

56 Brewing Great Northern Drip Brown Ale

 56 Brewing Great Northern Drip Brown Ale.

5% ABV, 25 IBU. 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sometimes you think to yourself, that’s seems interesting, but I don’t think I want to pay for a 4-pack. And then, so many others think the same, you end up getting it for free. That’s why I am drinking this beer. 

Clear, dark brown color, slim beige head.  

In the nose: malt, coffee, sweetness, roast. 

In the mouth: a malt-driven affair, with cocoa and caramel and, yeah, some maple syrup. Some sweetness, minor hops. Smooth, super drinkable. Decent drink, and you can drink it. That’s about all I want to say. Perhaps I’d have enjoyed this better when fresh, but there were other options then. Maple syrup brown ale just doesn’t jump out at me as a must have.

Brown Ale brewed with Maple Syrup from Rising Sun Farms in River Falls, Wisconsin. This beer has nice notes of toast, coffee and chocolate, with of course a nice subtle maple sweetness. The maple sap is just starting to run this time of year, and this beer is the perfect one to bring with you into the woods to enjoy by the fire.

Clown Shoes Leviathan Triple IPA

 Clown Shoes Leviathan Triple IPA.

10% ABV. Intense. Hoppy.  Clown Shoes Beer, Boston, Massachusetts & Windsor, Vermont.

Clear, golden hued, small ivory head.

In the nose: dankness. Rich fruit. Fairly pungent and potently powerful.

In the mouth: Boom! Massive attack of hop bitterness, with blast of alcohol heat. Sticky hops dripping all over the palate. Citrus peel set on fire. Packs a punch all down the windpipe. Mucho malt. It’s a monster. 

What is scarier than a Leviathan? THREE Leviathans! No logo is safe from these Miocene Epoch monstrosities. Luckily for us these 50-ton killers are long extinct. So raise a glass to these terrifying beats and crack open some Herman Melville. This big, bad, bruiser of a Triple IPA features waves of mighty hop flavors from relentless dry hop additions of Mosaic, Azacca, and El Dorado.