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Author Topic: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015  (Read 8853 times)

Offline HoosierBrew

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Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« on: September 12, 2015, 06:28:47 pm »
Anybody try this yet? Picked up a six yesterday and just tried one - great beer. SN did this beer in partnership with Germany's Brauhaus Riegele and promises to partner with a different German brewer each year on an O-fest. It's has copper/pale amber color, lighter than some, with slightly more spicy late hop character than many. The malt bill uses 2 row pale, Pils, Munich, and German Steffi malt (an heirloom German 2 row variety not used commonly due to its cost according to SN. By their account, it imparts more character than many 2 rows). I love the malt character - it's clean, slightly bready, lightly malty rich and best of all, ZERO crystal/caramunich/caravienne to oversweeten. Hop character ( Magnum to bitter, German Select, Tettnang, and Spalt late) is more prominent when first poured, less so when the beer warms a bit. Complex malt character is more prominent at this point. I could drink this stuff by the liter, regularly. I'm curious how next year's O-fest with a new German brewery partner will stack up. It has its work cut out.
Jon H.

Offline Phil_M

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2015, 06:33:29 pm »
I was about to post about this beer. Picked up a twelve pack the other day…it's going quickly. Really wish this would be a recurring brew...
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2015, 06:35:13 pm »
Im on vacation so ill be looking for it. My guess was that it might be a bit too hoppy. Sounds interesting though.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2015, 06:38:21 pm »
I was about to post about this beer. Picked up a twelve pack the other day…it's going quickly. Really wish this would be a recurring brew...

Yeah, I wish they'd keep this one, too. Though the idea of a different German co-brewer every year is cool. I doubt I'll like any of them any better than this one, though. It has a tad more late hop character than most, but it's a very nice beer, better as it warms. Gonna buy more.
Jon H.

Offline brewday

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2015, 06:44:49 pm »
Really, really enjoyed this beer.  I usually buy this type of stuff once, but I'll be back for more.  SN has been nailing their seasonals lately.

Offline 69franx

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2015, 07:57:52 pm »
I am going to have to track this one down. It's sounds great. I was just shopping Wednesday  at Jungle Jim's International market and did not see it there. Luckily I will be in that area again next week and will have to find it. Thanks for the tip Jon
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Offline dannyjed

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2015, 08:04:12 pm »
I had one a couple of weeks ago and I thought it had a very nice malt flavor.
Dan Chisholm

Offline duboman

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2015, 08:40:02 am »
Been making my through a 12 pack as well and am really enjoying it, nice malty backbone, well balanced and easy drinking, gonna get some more:)

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Offline denny

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2015, 10:18:07 am »
Im on vacation so ill be looking for it. My guess was that it might be a bit too hoppy. Sounds interesting though.

I'm curious, Jim...why would you expect that?
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2015, 10:47:56 am »
Im on vacation so ill be looking for it. My guess was that it might be a bit too hoppy. Sounds interesting though.

I'm curious, Jim...why would you expect that?
Unfair I suppose, but ive just come to expect a heavy hand with hops in west coast breweries. Im headed to town today, with any luck I'll score some and I'll give it a fair chance

Offline denny

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2015, 11:34:18 am »
Im on vacation so ill be looking for it. My guess was that it might be a bit too hoppy. Sounds interesting though.

I'm curious, Jim...why would you expect that?
Unfair I suppose, but ive just come to expect a heavy hand with hops in west coast breweries. Im headed to town today, with any luck I'll score some and I'll give it a fair chance

Keep in mind that SN makes a wide range of beers and not all of them are hoppy.  Especially when they've partnered with a German brewery for this one, I'd expect it to be pretty good.
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2015, 05:13:19 pm »
Just poured one. Fest Beer is not my strong suit style wise,  meaning I don't claim to know a lot about is, but I like this one. So many America Ofests ive tried seem too full and too sweet. This is one of best I can remember. Very drinkable, theres some nobel hop flavor up front, then a nice wash of crackery pils malt. Finishes medium, not sweet not dry, but enough bitterness to carry it. No unpleasant lingering flavors. Definitely its own beer not just a big Nooner. Kudos!

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2015, 06:28:39 am »
sam adams reportedly does a late hop on their o'fest also -departing from the "german traditional". Just had Great Lakes O'fest this weekend-very nice.

looking forward to trying SN's.

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Offline pete b

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2015, 07:48:25 am »
  SN has been nailing their seasonals lately.
+1 I think they may be the gold standard of large craft breweries now. They seem to be putting a lot of work into getting each new offering just right.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up.

Offline brulosopher

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Re: Sierra Oktoberfest 2015
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2015, 10:23:14 pm »
So f##king good! I'm not the hugest SN fan, but living in CA means it's always available. I snagged a 6'r last weekend after friends swore it was amazing... finished that in a night and grabbed a 12 pack the next day. Sooooo good!!! I emailed SN about the recipe, still no response