This is my review of what is arguably, the greatest beer in the world, ever.  At least according to this guy.

https://youtu.be/MyJJZa5Q2Fw?t=25s

This movie plays on the stereotypes and misconceptions that Americans have about Oktoberfest, particularly the ones that have never attended.  For the uninitiated, it’s pretty much viewed as a bunch of singing drunks served by this lady.

I have no way of legitimately commenting on the accuracy of the portrayal of Oktoberfest, drinking contests, the German people, the Bier Garden wait staff, or sexual activity among amphibians in this film.  For that, I will direct you to a much better source previously posted by another guest contributor.  Hat Tip:  DEG.

While Hefeweizen is served at Oktoberfest, I will not get into these.  To be sure, my aversion to German wheat beer has absolutely nothing to do with a drunk Native American that failed to recognize that I hailed from the big tribe in the south, and that I am not a homosexual.   Apparently in Northern Arizona, Hefeweizen is a calling card for gay men; I also happen to be more of a fan of the Belgian varieties of wheat beer.

That leaves us with Marzen but since this is a somewhat saturated marked, where to begin?

Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen

Unfortunately, this is a German entity therefore we must concede the standard must be set by them.  Other well-known German brewers such as Spaaten, Warsteiner, and Becks all put their own version to market and none of them are bad.  As you can tell from what is once again, not my photo, Paulaner’s offering is copper in color, a nice light lager with caramel notes and a nutty finish.  It is lightly carbonated so it will not stop you from knocking back several liters at a time.  The only problem, as mentioned in the comments section at other dark corners of this website, German beer does not travel well, particularly lagers.  German Beer Purity laws may have something to do with that but even given the proviso that it may be a hair on the skunky side, it is still quite good.  Too bad we can’t all go to Germany. 3.8/5

Since going to the source is not always feasible, that leaves us with the American Craft industry to pick up the slack.

 

Left Hand Brewing Co. Oktoberfest – Longmont, CO

As you can tell from what is once again, not my photo, Left Hand’s offering is copper in color, a nice light lager with caramel notes and a nutty finish.  It is lightly carbonated so it will not stop you from knocking back several liters at a time.  Yes, I just repeated what I wrote about Paulaner’s.  Am I really that lazy?  Perhaps, but repeating myself might be the best compliment I can make about it.  This is as good a copy you can get in the mountain west, and for many of us that is as good as it gets.  The reduced travel time and the Colorado snow met make this one slightly more enjoyable than waiting on the import to arrive. 4.0/5

Tenaya Creek Brewery Oktoberfest  – Las Vegas, NV (Right)

Another one I’ve had recently is from Tenaya Creek Brewery in Las Vegas.  Not as malty as I like but given its source it is also a fair bit lighter than the norm for this type of beer. If you feel the need to enter a drinking competition this might be a good choice. 3.5/5

Goose Island Oktoberfest – Chicago, IL (Left)

The next one is from Goose Island from Chicago.  It could just be the batch I got; this might have been bottled sometime the previous year and left in a warehouse somewhere in Phoenix with questionable climate control.  Whatever it is, this one should be better but it is not.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but after briefly researching on ratebeer.com others seem to agree.  If you are in the area, please explain this if you like because I will not extend more mental energy to find out where they went wrong.  After all the definition of pizza in that town is apparently up for their interpretation.  My only regret is I bought a 12 pack. 2.5/5.

San Tan Brewing Co. – Chandler, AZ

The last one is a local (to me), from San Tan.  This is probably going to be discounted as bias but I will say my local offering is pretty damn good!  My pick for this genre is still from Left Hand out of CO but it stacks up well.  The biggest difference is the nuttiness in this one gives is a slightly thicker texture than Left Hand’s.  It could also be the local water, as it is notorious for its mineral content.  3.8/5

Whether it is glass or ceramic, serve in a mug of some kind like above.  Bonus points if you have a boot.