Oktoberfest

Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 8

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is back for its eighth year, a brew that took a bit of a “travel curve” before the Avondale Estates, Georgia, brewery perfected it.

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a creative Continue Reading →

Round Trip Oktoberfest cans available Friday

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 Continue Reading →

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 Continue Reading →

Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, Headlines, Seasonal Return

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, lagered in Cabernet barrels returns

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is back for 2025, signaling the transition from summer to fall.

First debuting in 2006, Oaktoberfest has become a cherished seasonal tradition for the brewery. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team use all-German ingredients in the recipe and lager the beer in Napa Valley wine barrels (hence the name Oaktoberfest). This year, the beer was lagered in French oak barrels that previously aged Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery. According to the brewery, the oak lagering “creates an even smoother texture while staying true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.”

It may be coincidental, but Firestone Walker’s home of Paso Robles, California, ties in beautifully. “Paso Robles” translates to “Pass of the Oaks,” a nod to the abundant oak trees in the region. This connection complements the city’s reputation for wine production and the Oaktoberfest name.

This year, Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnanger, Hersbrucker
Malts: Vienna, Weyermann Pilsner, Cara Red

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal release.
Latest Return: Mid-August, 2025

5.2% ABV

Image: Firestone Walker 

ED NOTE: If any readers know of a retailer will ship Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, contact us. Be sure to scroll down the page for the form, we are having some coding issues on that page)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Seasonal Return

Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 8

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is back for its eighth year, a brew that took a bit of a “travel curve” before the Avondale Estates, Georgia, brewery perfected it.

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a creative take on the classic fall lager. However, Autumn Defense was actually an ale, boasting “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 has since followed a more traditional path. Now a true Märzen lager, it has officially moved away from the “ale festbier” concept for good. Getting there required tweaks to the recipe and yeast.

In the first two years of Fest Beer, Johnson used Grungeist hops, a European hop of Hallertauer parentage. While these hops produced a good lager, traditional brewing ultimately won out. (Another revelation came later: the Gungeist hop flavor faded significantly after four weeks.)

These days, the lager is brewed exclusively with classic German Noble hops.

The journey from Autumn Defense to Fest Beer has been a story in itself. What Fest Beer is today is quickly becoming a fall tradition for Wild Heaven and its fans.

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

Style: Festbier/Marzen

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 9/22/18
Latest Return: August 2025

5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Round Trip Brewing, New Releases

Round Trip Oktoberfest cans available Friday

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

by Reid Ramsay
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

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Seasonal Return

Bell’s Oktoberfest returns; continuing a tasty streak

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

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Highland Brewing, Seasonal Return

One of the best returns: Highland Clawhammer Oktoberfest

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

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Tucker Brewing Company, Seasonal Return

Tucktoberfest Märzen Lager

Tucktoberfest Märzen Lager

by Reid Ramsay