Oktoberfest

[The_Scientist]

http://www.slate.com/id/2304257/

Oktoberfest is upon us. The above article calls out five non-Munich brews for sampling instead of the usual St. Pauli Girl. I'm inspired to try these.

[GabrielsDad]

Thanks for posting.  I've only had on of these, the Rauchbier.  If you have ever wondered what liquid bacon would taste like, this is it.  Glad I tried it, not sure how often I would drink it...

[Mike GadgetGeek Stock]

Well not exactly Octoberfest..  But what is the best selling/best tasting pumpkin-seasonal beer out there?

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[MadBob]

There are so many out right now. Pumpking. Dogfish Head. Smashed Pumpkin by Shipyard. Thus far I have stayed away from all of them. But, I am working on it!

[totm]

Well not exactly Octoberfest..  But what is the best selling/best tasting pumpkin-seasonal beer out there?

Years ago I was interested in spiced beers (especially Christmas/winter warmers).  I even tried brewing a few.  Once the whole pumpkin spiced beers started appearing my interested had waned.  Pumpkin spice in my pie is fine.  In my beer, no thanks.

[Lorenzo]

What totm said.

I also found that the idea that you can make a pleasing beer by using little to zero pumpkin pie spice but mashing with fresh pumpkin flesh is more idea than reality.  Pumpkin flesh in the mash just doesn't add anything I would call a desirable flavor.  If you add a LOT, yes, you can taste something, but it's not a pleasant flavor to me.  I guess I like the IDEA of pumpkin beer, but not the reality.

[TrickyD]

I have been drinking the Unita Punk'in (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/uinta-organic-punkn/64778/) and it's OK, but it's the first sixer I grabbed this season. 

I just grabbed a growler of Southern Tier Pumking (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southern-tier-pumking/77640/) and a 4-pack of Terrapin's Pumpkinfest (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/terrapin-pumpkinfest/108986/), both which are supposed to be really good.  I'll let you know if they live up to expectations.

[Mike GadgetGeek Stock]

When I have finished a Weyerbacher Pumpkin Ale I want a REAL beer to wash the taste out of my mouth.  I looked on Ratebeers and it is rated pretty high, I guess I just don't like pumpkin beer?

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/weyerbacher-imperial-pumpkin-ale/51099/

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[TrickyD]

I have been drinking the Unita Punk'in (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/uinta-organic-punkn/64778/) and it's OK, but it's the first sixer I grabbed this season. 

I just grabbed a growler of Southern Tier Pumking (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southern-tier-pumking/77640/) and a 4-pack of Terrapin's Pumpkinfest (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/terrapin-pumpkinfest/108986/), both which are supposed to be really good.  I'll let you know if they live up to expectations.

So the Southern Tier was.... ok?  It was definitely sweeter that I like my beers, but it was light and the pumpkin / spice all meshed well.  I really didn't like the sweetness, but it wasn't awful either. 

I guess my overall on this one was confusion?

[MadBob]

My Southern Tier 2011 Pumpking was awesome. Didn't think it was too sweet at all. Well balanced with the pumpkin and "spices". So, let me get this years edition and I will report back....