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.

Earth Rider North Tower Stout

Earth Rider North Tower Stout.
6 % ABV. 28 IBU.
Earth Rider Brewing, Superior, WI.

Utterly opaque, solid darkness, slim brown head.

In the nose: Roast, toast, sweet malt turns dry. Cocoa and coffee. Sweet and bitter at once.

In the mouth: Mostly malty, touch of sweetness, bit of bitter, roast takes over until it all goes dry. Dark, rich, smooth, chocolatey. Note perfect stout.

Once again, it's the final can of a six-pack. I enjoyed the first five free of note-taking, and procrastinated for the last one. It's a good one, and I'll be back for more.

Here’s to the working harbor. Malty accents of chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit are balanced with a restrained hop presence in this stouthearted ale. Hold fast

Earth Rider Superior Pale Ale

Earth Rider Superior Pale Ale.
5.7 % ABV. 56 IBU.
Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Brisk, crisp, bold citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, orange, lime.

In the mouth: Brash bitterness, cascading into smooth and delicious. Medium-body. Super drinkable. Classic American Pale Ale. Just flat out tasty. Good ol' sessionable pale ale. And, it need not be stated but I shall, you can drink it.

Denali and Citra hops lend citrus and pineapple notes in this easy drinking pale ale. A crisp, clean, and dry-finishing pale.

Earth Rider Caribou Lake India Pale Ale

Earth Rider Caribou Lake India Pale Ale. 7.4 % ABV, 84 IBU. Earth Rider Brewing, Superior, Wisconsin.

Clear, pale amber color, creamy, lasting head, leaving lace.

In the nose: aggressive hops, resinous hop notes. Big fruit, bright citrus. Beautifully bitter.

In the mouth: Big, bold, aggressive hop blast at the top. Juicy malt base. Tasty stuff here. Fairly mellow and quite drinkable. Plenty of flavor in this, plenty of hops, just right for my kind of IPA.


Hop aromas of pine and berry harken to lakes of the far North. 
A prominent malt backbone balances moderate hop bitterness. Hold fast.