As the temperature outside starts to dip (in the 50s last
night), it makes me start to think about the great beers that are a coming. I
have posted before saying that I love a huge hop hit after a summer of light
drinking brews.
One beer that I don’t feel the need to drink is the plethora
of “pumpkin” beers that flood the market, and yes, I too will rant on why the
hell are pumpkin beers showing up in August. I have pumpkin fields less than a
mile from my house, there has not been enough time for a brewery to use the
pumpkin in the beer. Finally, I have
seen some labels that describe it with pumpkin spices, instead of claiming to
use pumpkins. One that I will recommend
is Oliver Ales pumpkin beer (Freddy's Revenge), as he has documented the roasting of the pumpkins
online, and the flavor is pretty good (even though I am not a huge pumpkin
person myself).
But I do love Oktoberfest style beers, whether they are ales
or lagers, they always seem to be easy drinking, balanced beers that work well
for anyone. You can add a second dose of
hops to give it something different if you are making a homebrew.
As for commercial breweries, everyone should have had Sam
Adams Oktoberfest by now, if not, they released it this year in July, so go out
and grab one. Spaten, Ayinger and Paulander seem to be the default German beers
that people drink, and I fully support those decisions. I like to grab a Flying
Dog Dogtoberfest, one of the reasons being the awesome name and artwork. Victory
does what Victory does and hops up their Festbier. Great Lakes also makes one of the easiest
drinking Oktoberfests, so that is always a recommendations.
Whether you like the dark warming beers that are on the
horizon, the spiced up pumpkin beers that are taking over the shelf or the
balanced Oktoberfest beers, enjoy what you like with friends and always be
responsible.
Posts
I'm looking forward to the release of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale next month... and some cooler weather.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Robbie - I love Punkin Ale. I had almost forgotten that fall beers were here until I visited JD's last night.
ReplyDeleteAs a beer lover i simply like the beers from Fuller's Griffin Brewery i also like German ale its unique flavor and aroma is simply enchanting
ReplyDeleteFor me, whenever I think of Octoberfest beer I always seem to reminisce of a really good local German restaurant near me with my family around the table enjoying the best German food in town with a big stein of Octoberfest. Unlike the other beer styles, this one comes with memories. Great pic of the server with mugs of beer, btw. You take that?
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