The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Time to start picking out Oktoberfest brews
Whether you think it’s big fun or just kind of funny, Oktoberfest is one of those adopted holidays that has become as American as Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick’s Day.
And though the annual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich has been canceled for a second year in a row because of the pandemic, plenty of Oktoberfest beers are on the shelves at grocery and package stores and on offer at bars and restaurants around Atlanta.
The classic style is called Märzen, “March” in German, because that’s when it was brewed — then lagered over the summer, and served during Oktoberfest, which is traditionally celebrated in September and October.
Around the U.S., many Oktoberfest
beers start shipping in August, and are often sold out by October. And while German Märzen is the gold standard, some of the best American craft breweries make very good takes on the style, plus it’s hard to beat the freshness of an Oktoberfest from a local brewery or brewpub.
A German classic, Ayinger Oktober Fest-märzen from Ayinger Brewery in Aying, is
one of my all-time favorites. It’s a full-bodied lager in the rich Bavarian style, with a coppery-gold color and a rocky head. It’s also food-friendly, with a clean, malty aroma and a smooth flavor that’s not too sweet and definitely not too bitter.
Other German Oktoberfest beers to look for in cans, bottles or on draft include Bitburger, Erdinger, Hacker-pschorr,
Paulaner, Hofbrau, Spaten and Warsteiner.
From an American craft brewery, Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest is solid and readily available, shipped fresh from Mills River, North Carolina. In 2019, Sierra partnered with Germany’s Bitburger for an Oktoberfest collaboration. This year, it’s back to basics with a rich, biscuity, caramel Märzen made with German malts and hops.
Other American Oktoberfest beers to try include Bell’s, Founders, Left Hand, Sam Adams and Victory.
On the local front, New Realm Bavarian Prince is a Märzen made with all German ingredients. Named for Crown Prince Ludwig, the honoree of the first Bavarian Oktoberfest, it’s deep amber in color, with malty flavors and aromas and a floral hop character. It’s currently available on draft and in a German beer sampler pack.
Other local packaged Oktoberfest beers include Arches Festbier, Printer’s Oktoberfest and Reformation Oktoberfest.
Certainly, even with COVID19 restrictions, there will be plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations around metro Atlanta, including the big one Sept. 24-26 at Historic Fourth Ward Park. But some perennial favorites take place at bars, breweries and restaurants, such as Brick Store Pub in Decatur, Halfway Crooks in Summerhill and Kurt’s Bistro in Duluth.
New this year, one of Atlanta’s newest breweries, Round Trip, announced that its inaugural Oktoberfest will be celebrated at the brewery over 10 days, Sept. 24-Oct. 3.
I first visited Round Trip shortly after it opened in February, and I was immediately impressed with the array of German-style lagers from CEO and brewer Craig Mycoskie — including his takes on Alt, Dunkel, Helles, Pilsner, Rye Alt and Smoked Doppelbock.
With all that, I wasn’t surprised that Mycoskie could make a classic Märzen, too. He’ll also have two new beers on tap for Oktoberfest. Oakaged Oktoberfest will be released Sept. 24, and Oktober Haze, an autumn-tinged hazy IPA, will be released Oct. 1.