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(Maybe next year}
If COVID-19 hadn’t happened Oktoberfest 2020 would have kicked off in Munich this weekend. But it did and it won’t.
But even if most of us will be celebrating at home this year you’re still going to need the right beers and we’ve four American craft beer takes on the Oktoberfest style that you may want to have on hand.
Shiner Oktoberfest
When one thinks Oktoberfest beers, the mind doesn’t automatically wander to a small town in Texas – but it should because the brewing team at the Spoetzl Brewery (who understand lagers better than most craft breweries) brew one of the best around.
A Great American Beer Festival winner in 2012, Shiner Oktoberfest is a 4.48% ABV Märzen-style Ale with a rich malty aroma, with a caramel sweetness that fades to a dry, hoppy finish.
(Courtesy Founders Brewing)
Founders Oktoberfest
In late August Founders Brewing released this special lager that was brewed to celebrate ArtPrize, an international art competition that takes place every year in the brewery’s hometown and this year the Grand Rapids, Michigan based brewery crafted Oktoberfest style beer that absolutely nails it.
“Brewing traditional German-style beers, especially malt-forward lagers, isn’t something we’re especially accustomed to,” said Founders Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. “I’ve really begun to enjoy drinking Märzens over the past few years and decided to get serious about a recipe.”
Deftly brewed using imported German malts and hops, Founders Oktoberfest is a 6% ABV Märzen Style Lager with a striking copper hue with a rich, slightly sweet malt backbone.
(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2020
For almost a decade, Sierra Nevada Brewing has been crafting some of the world’s most impressive Oktoberfest beers, sometimes as collaborations with European brewers. In 2017 the craft beer leader partnered with Brauhaus Miltenberger, one of Germany’s most highly regarded craft brewers.
In 2018 the Chico, California-based brewery worked with Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest brewery located in Freising, Germany. And in 2019 Sierra Nevada worked with another brewing great Bitburger Brewery.
And now after years of creating great Oktoberfest collaborations with German masters, Sierra Nevada is going solo again and in doing so has delivered something special. Brewed using a striking blend of Two-Row Pale, Munich, and Vienna malts, and Spalter and Spalter Select German hops, Sierra Oktoberfest 2020 is a 6% ABV Märzen Lager with a floral, fruity character and a bright hoppy finish.
(Courtesy Athletic Brewing)
Athletic Non-Alcoholic Oktoberfest Bier
With breweries in both Stratford, CT and San Diego, CA Athletic Brewing has fast mastered the art creating non-alcoholic beers that taste lauthentic, and they’ve just released what may be the first alcoholic non-Oktoberfest bier ever.
And although we were skeptical that any brewer would be able to craft a convincing non-alcoholic version of the full-bodied and richly malted Märzen-style, Athletic Brewing has delivered the real deal for beer lovers looking to enjoy fall drinking, just without the buzz.
“Autumn is an exciting time for beer connoisseurs – and whether a person prefers alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages shouldn’t prevent them from enjoying the rich, complex flavors of an Oktoberfest beer,” said Athletic Brewing co-founder John Walker. “Our Oktoberfest should complement the fall seasonal beer category and allow a wider audience to take part in celebrations.”
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