Oktoberfest Beers

[lsanderson]

Beers of The Times
For Oktoberfest, Autumnal Gold
By ERIC ASIMOV
Published: September 30, 2008

I MUST confess that I never cared much for oompah music. But I love Oktoberfest. Look around you, pork everywhere! I see juicy loins, smoky chops and all manner of hocks, snouts, sausages and feet, all demonstrating the unmatched culinary superiority of the pig. I see scads of savory roasted chickens, buttered noodles galore, tangy sauerkraut and piles of soft, fat, glistening pretzels. This, my friends, is a party! More

BEST VALUE

Thomas Hooker Octoberfest

$1.40, 12 ounces

***

Bloomfield, Conn.

Lively and crisp with sweet malt beautifully balanced by a refreshing bitterness.

Victory Festbier

$2, 12 ounces

***

Downingtown, Pa.

Balanced, with a sweet malt aroma and a touch of licorice.

Flying Dog Dogtoberfest Marzen

$2.25, 12 ounces

***

Frederick, Md.

Crisp, clean and refreshing, with bold aromas and integrated flavors of malt and hops.

Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen

$3, 25 ounces

** 1/2

Munich

Sweet, fresh malt aromas; lively and well balanced. (Importer: Star Brand Imports, White Plains)

Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest

$1.75, 12 ounces

** 1/2

Munich

Rich and balanced, with sweet malt aromas and refreshing bitterness. (Star Brand Imports)

Mendocino Oktoberfest

$2.20, 12 ounces

** 1/2

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Dry, smooth and refreshing, with lingering bitter flavors.

Harpoon Octoberfest

$2, 12 ounces

** 1/2

Boston

Gentle and restrained flavors; dry and refreshing.

Beck’s Oktoberfest

$1.45, 12 ounces

**

Bremen, Germany

Well balanced and refreshing, with aromas of malt and toffee. (Import Brands Alliance, St. Louis)

Brooklyn Oktoberfest

$2, 12 ounces

**

New York

Subtle and lightly malty, with attractive spicy flavors.

Stoudts Oktoberfest

$2.50, 12 ounces

**

Adamstown, Pa.

Crisp and refreshing, with malt and spice flavors.