Topic Archives: Oktoberfest

Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Seasonal Return

Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 6

Wild Heaven Fest Beer Can

Wild Heaven Fest Beer returns for a 6th time (if our drinking memory serves us well) this weekend. 

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a creative rendition of the popular fall lager. In that case, [Defense] was actually ale, with “pronounced bright citrus flavors, brewed heavy-handedly with Munich malt.” A festbier in spirit, but as Johnson admits – not very traditional. “You’re not a brewer if you’re not experimenting I guess,” Johnson once told us. “It doesn’t always work out.”

Wild Heaven Fest Beer follows a much more traditional path since its inception. Fest Beer now is  true marzen lager, officially leaving the idea of an “ale festbier” behind for good. To get here, tweaks to the recipe (and yeast) had to happen.

 Johnson used Gungeist hops in years 1 and 2 of this release – a European hop of Hallertauer parentage. These hops did make a good lager, but ultimately traditional brewing just wins out. (Another revelation that happened, later, the Gungeist hop flavor wasn’t the same 4 weeks later.)

These days, the lager is brewed completely with classic Noble hops from Germany. 

The path from Autumn Defense to Fest Beer was a  journey unto itself. What fest beer is today is quickly becoming a fall tradition for Wild Heaven and their fans. 

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is available on draft and 12-ounce cans seasonally starting this week.

Style: Festbier/Marzen

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 9/22/18
Latest Return: August 2023

5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

Posted in Round Trip Brewing, New Releases

Round Trip Oktoberfest cans available Friday

Round-Trip-Oktoberfest

Atlanta, Georgia’s Round Trip Oktoberfest cans will be available starting Friday, September 10th. 

The brewery just brought a new canning line online this week, giving the brewery greater flexibility with beers to-go. Round Trip’s cans are currently only available for purchase at the brewery. 

Moderately toasted bread flavors and a pleasant sweetness. The tent is open and the gang’s all here. 

The lager release arrives ahead of the brewery’s inaugural Oktoberfest events starting September 24th. 

FULL EVENT LINEUP: ROUND TRIP OKTOBERFEST 2021

Round Trip Oktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans will be available to-go at the brewery starting Friday. 

Style: Oktoberfest
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release. 
Debut: September 2021

5.5% ABV, 24 IBUs

Posted in Upslope Brewing Company, New Releases

Upslope releases Oktoberfest Lager, plus fest party

Boulder, Colorado’s Upslope Brewing has released Oktoberfest Lager, in time for fest season. 

This brand new limited release, is described by the brewery as a “modern, malt-forward brew,” featuring Leopold Bros Floor-Malted Pilsner. 

A sweet, fresh-baked bread nose is followed by light herbaceous hop character and a smooth finish.

In addition to the new beer, the brewery is hosting an Octoberfest at their Flatiron location. The event features the Oktoberfest beer, brats, a stein-hoisting contest and more. 

EVENT: UPSLOPE OKTOBERFEST

Upslope Oktoberfest is a 12-ounce can and draft offering for a limited time. 

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Hallertauer Mittelfrüh

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release: 
Debut: Late August 2021

5.5% ABV, 22 IBUs

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Seasonal Return

Bell’s Oktoberfest returns; continuing a tasty streak

Bell's Octoberfest bottle

Bell’s Oktoberfest finally returned to bottles after a 5-year hiatus in 2016. Thank the brewery’s (then) much-needed brewhouse expansion for that malty glass of festbier fans had been missing. Now in 2021 it seems Oktoberfest is staying a seasonal. 

In the past, this edition of the fall lager is one of the first to sell out. While you are splashing around in the pool in the heat, this beer has been lagering for at least six weeks, just waiting for fall.

With herbal hop aromas, this balanced amber lager focuses on lightly toasted malt that lends body without too much sweetness. Perfect for a week-long wedding celebration in Germany or the start of the Michigan autumn.

Bell’s Oktoberfest is now available in 12-ounce bottles, in both 6 & 12 packs and draft.

Style: Oktoberfest
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonal.
Latest Return: August 2021

5.5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

Posted in Highland Brewing, Seasonal Return

One of the best returns: Highland Clawhammer Oktoberfest

Highland Clawhammer Bottle

The first time we had Highland Clawhammer Oktoberfest was back in 2010. Even then, it skyrocketed to what we considered one of the best festbiers in brewed in America. 

11 years later, neither this beer, or our opinion have changed. (Besides the label.) 

Summer is flying by, as it always seems after Independence Day. You’re not out of July before oktoberfests start popping up – mainly because of the lead time to produce a lager like this. 

Maybe after all years, it’s worth saying. This beer is as timeless as it is delicious. It’s toasty, light colored, rich, full-bodied, crisp and clean. German inspired, but American brewed. Yet another reason to love fall. 

For the 11th time we announce this beer hitting shelves again. If you haven’t, perhaps it’s time to grab a stein and go for it.

Style: Oktoberfest/Marzen
Hops: Hallertau Mittlefrue & German Spalt Select
Malts: 2-Row, Munich, Vienna, Caramel, Pilsner

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonal Release.

5% ABV 25 IBU’s

PIC: Beer Street Journal

Posted in Tucker Brewing Company, Seasonal Return
Posted in Ska Brewing, Seasonal Return

GABF gold medal-winning Ska Brewing Oktoberfest taps today

Ska Brewing Oktoberfest

Ska Brewing Oktoberfest returns as a seasonal release this month. A Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner for the style in 2018, as European Beer Star Gold.

A malty lager with an amber-brown color imparted by nutty, bread, toasty Munich and Vienna malts. With a clean, neutral yeast flavor–it’s all about the malt.

Ska Brewing Oktoberfest is taps August 2nd, at the brewery in Durango, Colorado. Available in 12-ounce cans and draft, seasonally.

Style: Oktoberfest
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Latest Return: August 2019

6.1% ABV, 22 IBUs

Image: Ska Brewing