Beer of the Week

The beer: Is Butter A Carb?

The brewery: Evil Genius Beer Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "The only thing better than pretzels and beer is pretzels in beer, and EG has teamed up with Auntie Anne's to bring you just that. This crisp Oktoberfest-Style Lager was brewed with malt, hopes, and warm, soft pretzels for an extra dose of rich flavor. Don't get it twisted."

Would I buy it again? Perhaps I had unrealistic expectations for this beer. After all, the other pretzel-flavored beer I've had is one of my absolute favorites, and beer and pretzels are such a natural combination. And I think, if I had this beer in isolation without previous knowledge of Aldus' pretzel beer, I'd probably like this beer a whole lot. But I have had Aldus' pretzel beer, and this one just doesn't compare. It's a solid beer, and there's a bit of that bready saltiness, but it just doesn't capture the pretzel magic that Aldus managed. I'm afraid I just could not buy this one again. Once you've had the real deal, you can't make due with a pale imitation.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Fest Bier

Brewed by: Brothers Craft Brewing, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Description (from the website): "Fest Bier perfectly captures the transition into autumn, shifting from the crisp light Lagers of summer to a slightly darker, heartier Lager that is perfect for the changing seasons.  Traditionally brewed to be enjoyed during the long, hard working German harvest season, Fest Bier is the perfect fit for our local community and easily enjoyed by drinkers of all walks of life.  Whether you are hanging on to every last bit of summer or welcoming fall, Fest Bier is the perfect way to celebrate."

Would I buy it again?: It's not bad, but it's way too hoppy for an Oktoberfest-style beer. I prefer a more malty flavor, so I'll pass on looking for this beer again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Oktoberfest Lager

Brewed by: Northway Brewing Company, Glens Falls, New York

Description (from the website): "Marzen-style Lager brewed with Munich and Vienna malts that provide a copper color and slight sweetness. Tettnanger and Saphir hops balance and provide a flavorful fall beer."

Would I buy it again?: Naturally, what better time to drink something called an Oktoberfest than the first day of May? It's basically as far away from October as you can get. But hey, a lager's a lager, and it's good any time of year. This particular lager is kind of in the middle, lager/Oktoberfest wise, not bad but not really spectacular. I wouldn't go out of my way for another one.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Pumpkin Oktoberfest

Brewed by: Red Shedman Farm Brewery, Mt. Airy, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "A true Oktoberfest malt combination with 140 lbs of fresh pumpkin. Mildly spiced for the holiday season"

Would I buy it again?: When I saw that one of my local beer distributors was selling crowlers of a pumpkin Oktoberfest beer, I knew I had to get it. I'm sure Red Shedman aren't the first people to combine the two definitive styles of fall beer, but I've never seen it before. Unfortunately, I was left a bit disappointed. There's a little bit of pumpkin flavor, but it's more an Oktoberfest with a hint of pumpkin, rather than a true marriage of the two styles. I think if you were offered it without being told there was pumpkin in it, there's a good chance you wouldn't even realize. Was it bad? No, it was a perfectly fine Oktoberfest. But I think the search for a true pumpkin Oktoberfest continues.

Beer of the Week

The beer: The Bavarian Prince

Brewed by: New Realm Brewing Company, Virginia Beach

Description (from Untappd): "A classic Marzen style Oktoberfest with deep amber color, European malty flavors and aromas with a balanced floral hop character. Named for Crown Prince Ludwig, the honoree of the first Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration. Brewed in the German tradition, it’s perfectly easy-drinking at 6.3% ABV and it goes as good in a stein as it does in a boot. Prost!"

Would I buy it again?: This wasn't my favorite Oktoberfest ever, so I probably wouldn't. It had a bit of a weird aftertaste that I didn't care for. There are better alternatives.

Beer of the Week

The beer: The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest Lager

Brewed by: Avery Brewing Company, Boulder, Colorado

Description (from the website): "Just in time for fall and its most notable Fest, this limited release Imperial Oktoberfest Lager is our emboldened Prost! to one of the world's most recognized styles. The Kaiser weaves together rich, toasted Vienna and Munich malts with the floral spiciness of Hersbrucker and Bravo hops to create a bold and brazen dry Imperial Oktoberfest."

Would I buy it again?: Depends how much I'd have to pay for it. It was definitely good, it had the signature Oktoberfest taste but richer and deeper. If we're talking maybe a dollar or two more for a six pack of this than of a regular Oktoberfest, than sure. But if they're looking for $15 to buy a four pack, then probably not. It's good, but not that good.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Festie Oktoberfest Lager

Brewed by: Starr Hill Brewery, Charlottesville, Virginia

Description (from the bottle): "Smooth and malty with a clean finish, this is our tribute to the German tradition of Märzen lagers."

Would I buy it again?: It's that time of year. Fall is upon us, and with it comes fall beers, with all two varieties. Pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest Märzens. We start off with a beer in the Oktoberfest style from Starr Hill. I've enjoyed their beer in the past, and I enjoy Oktoberfest beer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I enjoyed this. It's pleasantly malty and perfect for a fall afternoon. If I wasn't filled up on fall beer already, I'd definitely consider getting this again.  

Beer of the Week

The beer: Atom Smasher

Brewed by: Two Brothers Brewing Company, Warrenville, Illinois

Description (from the website): "Named with our atom-colliding scientific neighbor in mind, this Oktoberfest-style lager is oak-aged, providing added layers of depth to the signature flavors of roasted malt, caramel and toffee found in marzen style beers. But a beer this exceptional shouldn’t be limited to just Oktoberfest. Raise a glass, stein or boot to Augustfest, Septemberfest and beyond!"

Would I buy it again?: Yes, I think I would. Aging beer in barrels is a fairly common practice, but I've never seen this particular type of beer aged. The flavor is definitely different, being more mellow yet deeper. Definitely a beer to enjoy, not one to chug down.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Creekfestbier Lager

Brewed by: Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, Croydon, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Traditionally brewed in March just before brewing was banned for the Summer, Märzenbiers are malty, smooth, clean, and rich lagers that have a distinctive malt backbone and complexity for a style that can be so understated. Brewed with German Munich and Pilsen malts as well as German Hallertau and Tettnanger hops, this distinctive brew is conditioned at cold lagering temperatures for five months; some things you just can’t rush. This is a true Oktoberfest offering, one that is prominently featured during our Oktoberfest celebration at the brewery, and at 5.2% ABV it’s a crisp, smooth, and easy to drink beer perfect for the chilly Fall nights ahead."

Would I buy it again?: Yes, I would. As I've mentioned, I enjoy Märzen beers a lot. And it's fall, so they're everywhere. It's extremely drinkable and more importantly, it doesn't taste like a pumpkin just punched me in the face. I know pumpkin beers are popular at this time of year, but I appreciate a fall seasonal beer that isn't pumpkin flavored. Also, this was a pint instead of 12 oz, so that's another extremely good reason to buy this one again

Beer of the Week

The beer: 1888 Octoberfest Lager

Brewed by: Saranac Brewery, Utica, New York

Description (from the website): "A medium bodied Copper colored Lager. It’s rich, malty taste is subtly balanced by Saphir and Mt. Hood hops. The beer is aged slowly in the Munich tradition."

Would I buy it again?: Yes, I would. And not just during the fall too, I really like the Märzen/Oktoberfest style of beer, so you don't have to do too much convincing to get me to drink one. Frankly, you'd have to do it very wrong for me not to enjoy it, and they did not.