4 more Oktoberfest to talk about

I took off for the weekend. Before hitting the road I stopped in the liquor portion of the grocery store to grab some beer. I knew they had a separate Oktoberfest display that would have some brews that would interest me. What I didn't know was it would take me some time to make a decision.

I quickly grabbed the Lakefront Oktoberfest. This year's batch was highly recommended. Plus, I am dedicated to giving Lakefront a second chance. Lots of people in the Milwaukee area love this local brewery. For the most part, I haven't been really impressed by them. They make some good beers but nothing that definitely wows me. Plus, I usually find their beers to be inconsistent. They taste different every couple months, like there is a quality control.

That was my opinion for quite a while. I am glad I am giving them a second chance as the Oktoberfest lived up to the hype. It was very good. Malty and smoothe, with great body. Drink it while you can.

The second six-pack took me a couple minutes to choose. I could have grabbed Capitol Brewery or Schells. I was tempted to grab the cheaper Berghoff but changed my mind. I didn't want to ruin my weekend with a cheaper beer being exactly that, cheap!

I was about to grab the Schells when I noticed the German beers. I am drinking Marzens. Why not get one from the homeland? I chose the Spaten over the Becks. And I think I made the right choice. It was just as good as the Lakefront. Full body and malty. I was in heaven drinking it.

I did grab one other beer that needs to be mentioned. On the top shelf was a Paulaner beer in a big German drinking stein. I saw that and thought I needed to buy the beer just for the glass. I could drink like a real Oktoberfester out of the giant mug. The beer that came with it was the Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier. The difference was this wasn't a Marzen; it was a Wiesn. Poured a golden color and was rather light. Not the Marzen I was looking for but still ok. I do have one big ass drinking glass though!

I would also enjoy the Capitol Oktoberfest at a bar on Saturday night. It was good but not memorable. I think I'll need to give it another shot as I had a couple in me. But then again, if it was that good, I think I'd have still remembered that.

Better news to me is a local pub just tapped the Ayinger Oktoberfest. Another highly rated brew for me to enjoy.

Time to update my Oktoberfest summary. I've decided to get rid of the individual ranking as it is too hard to rank them like that. Let's simplify it:

Best of 2011: New Glarus Staghorn

God damn that is good! Get me another!

Flying Dog Dogtoberfest

Tyranena Gemutlichkeit

Lakefront Oktoberfest

Spaten Oktoberfest

Good to drink if they don't have anything else.

Great Lakes Oktoberfest

Capitol Oktoberfest

I think I'll have a Miller Lite instead.

Hinterland Oktoberfest

Central Waters Octoberfest