The Beer Babe – Cheers to Oktoberfest Beers in Maine

Hi CYY!

Oktoberfest is a traditional German festival that begins in September (despite the name) and celebrates German culture, music, food, and - of course - beer. Yum.

Thanks to the popularity of the festival taking off in the U.S., you don't have to travel to Germany to get a taste of Oktoberfest - many brewers are brewing domestic versions that can be just as fun to drink here! The beer style - known as Märzen or Oktoberfest, is traditional and includes only the four main ingredients of beer (no pumpkin!). Typically, Märzen brews are copper to light orange in color (though some can be lighter) and are all about the malts. The German malts have a particular flavor that is malty but has a dry and clean finish. They are also not typically very high in alcohol - so they can be consumed in giant glasses called Maß at fests.

3 Maine-brewed Oktoberfest Beers to Seek Out

Banded Horn - Oktoberfest Von Nacht : This collaboration with Nocturnem Draft House (hence the name, which means "Oktoberfest by Night") is brand new and is available at the brewery and in a few places in town and up in Bangor at Nocturnem, this beer has the aroma of a true Oktoberfest down pat. Close your eyes, take a whiff and you can almost hear the tubas in the background.

In'finiti Fermentation & Distillation - Rumschpringefest : Tom Bull (formerly of Bull Jagger Brewing) came out of hiding and brewed Rumschpringefest again this year with the In'finiti crew and it turned out great. Nice amber color and an easy drinking profile that leads you to the end of your stein pretty quickly, wanting another.

Bunker Brewing Company - Bunktoberfest : When it was about 90 degrees last weekend I went to Bunker and tried this one out. I was really impressed with the balance of the malts and a little bit of bitterness, I think it was my favorite of the three just in that it was all around very drinkable and pretty colored as well. I've seen this on tap in Portland at places like The King's Head if you can't make it over to the Bayside brewery.

Prost!

For more information about these great beers and all things craft beer here in Maine, check out my Beer Babe blog.