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Author Topic: Oktoberfest!  (Read 21917 times)

Offline a10t2

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #45 on: September 27, 2010, 09:27:27 pm »
I had mine last weekend. It turned out to be quite the bash. Tapped the O-fest that had been lagering since May and went through ~4 gal of that, plus 6-7 gal of other homebrew, and 3.5 lb of bratwurst. We also had spent-grain bread, pretzels, sauerkraut, and zwiebelkuchen (bacon and onion quiche), all homemade. Not bad for 18-20 people, I thought...
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #46 on: September 28, 2010, 09:22:40 am »
We held an Oktoberfest party at our house this past Saturday.  Had close to 70 people show up.  It wasn't the most traditional Oktoberfest but everyone had a good time.

We served tavern (NW Iowa name for a loose meat sandwich w/ a tomato based sauce and a lot of spices), homemade Bavarian Pretzels w/ spicy mustard, hot wings and a bunch of other general party fair.  I was able to convince my wife that traditional German menswear was not really required.  ::)

I didn't make an O-fest this year but had 5 beers on tap so there was something for everyone.

You know word is starting to get around (3rd. year for this party) when people you don't know start showing up because someone who was invited told them about it.   ;D

I hope you're all planning to enjoy the celebration somewhere yet this year.

Paul
Where the heck are we going?  And what's with this hand basket?

Offline beersk

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #47 on: September 28, 2010, 09:28:48 am »
Look at the enormous head on those beers that girl is carrying! I'd be in an outrage!

I'm going to Millstream Oktoberfest in the Amanas this friday to celebrate.  I don't plan to be very coherent the next day.  My dad's band is playing and friends and I are going to party and drink good beer.  Prost!
Jesse

Offline bluesman

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #48 on: September 28, 2010, 10:43:09 am »
A co-worker of mine handed me a sixer of Spaten Ofest yesterday.  8)

One of my favorite commercial examples without a doubt.

I will do a blind tasting with my homebrewed version for grins and giggles.

Ron Price

Offline uintafly

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #49 on: September 28, 2010, 01:47:50 pm »
Heading up this weekend to spend a few days at the Oktoberfest Celebration at Snowbird. The wife and I have made a tradition of it the past 3 years or so. We always have a good time despite the 3.2% limit and the fact that it shuts down at 6:00.

Any of you guys ever attended this? It's definately not the biggest festival in the world but the scenery is great, adn you can't beat listening to the alpine horns on top of Hidden Peak.

Offline chumley

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #50 on: October 05, 2010, 01:55:33 pm »
I'm extremely pleased with how well my Oktoberfest turned out this year....maybe its because I overshot my targeted OG and ended up with a 1.066 O'fest!

OG 1.066, FG 1.012. 35 IBUs. 7 SRM. 5 gallons.

All Weyermann malts:
6 lbs. Pils
2.5 lbs. Vienna
1.5 lbs. Munich
1 lb. CaraRed
0.5 lbs. CaraAmber

Mash at 148°F for 2 hours.

1.5 oz. Vanguard 90 min
0.75 oz. Mittelfrueh 45 min
0.25 oz. Mittelfrueh 0 min

WLP833.  Primary for 4 weeks at 52°F. Lagered for.....FIVE MONTHS!!! 

Yes, I like to brew O'fests in March.

Offline bluesman

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #51 on: October 05, 2010, 02:11:25 pm »
I'm extremely pleased with how well my Oktoberfest turned out this year....maybe its because I overshot my targeted OG and ended up with a 1.066 O'fest!
OG 1.066, FG 1.012. 35 IBUs. 7 SRM. 5 gallons.

All Weyermann malts:
6 lbs. Pils
2.5 lbs. Vienna
1.5 lbs. Munich
1 lb. CaraRed
0.5 lbs. CaraAmber

Mash at 148°F for 2 hours.

1.5 oz. Vanguard 90 min
0.75 oz. Mittelfrueh 45 min
0.25 oz. Mittelfrueh 0 min

WLP833.  Primary for 4 weeks at 52°F. Lagered for.....FIVE MONTHS!!!  

Yes, I like to brew O'fests in March.

That will definitely put you in a festive mood.  ;D

Interesting choice of carared and caraamber...what would best describe the color.
Looks like a tasty recipe.
I assume you lagered in a keg? What temp?
Ron Price

Offline chumley

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #52 on: October 05, 2010, 04:56:15 pm »
The color's a light amber....a little darker than Spaten Oktoberfest, not nearly as dark as Sam Adams O'fest.

Yes, I lagered in a keg.  My beer fridge holds three.  I have it set at 34°F.

After two months of lagering, I drew out the first cloudy pint, then jumper-cabled the rest into a clean keg.

As you can guess, this beer is brilliantly clear.  :)

Offline dhacker

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #53 on: October 05, 2010, 06:21:47 pm »
Chumley . . you up for a swap? I'd like to compare yours to the Hacker Pschorr O-fest clone I did. It'll have to wait til after the Brew Fest at the end of the month, but I'm game . . .

. .Oh. I might even through in a bottle of last year's ABC!  ;D
« Last Edit: October 05, 2010, 06:24:53 pm by dhacker »
Just brew it...

Offline bluesman

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #54 on: October 05, 2010, 08:14:14 pm »
I just finished force carbing my ofest.  I sampled some tonight and it is right on. It has been lagering since the beginning of August. I just added some gelatin to clear it up some more.
Ron Price

Offline chumley

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #55 on: October 06, 2010, 08:47:39 am »
Well, ordinarily I would, hack....but this keg is going to hunting camp the day after tomorrow, and I am so busy with getting ready (and getting stuff done at work), I may not have time to fill a couple of bottles up.

If I do get a bottle or two capped, I'll let you know on Tuesday when I get back.

Offline bluesman

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #56 on: October 06, 2010, 10:32:58 am »
Well, ordinarily I would, hack....but this keg is going to hunting camp the day after tomorrow, and I am so busy with getting ready (and getting stuff done at work), I may not have time to fill a couple of bottles up.

If I do get a bottle or two capped, I'll let you know on Tuesday when I get back.

Since your pressed for time you could always pick up a good German example and save a bottle to compare to your recipe.
Ron Price

Offline tygo

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #57 on: October 09, 2010, 07:46:55 pm »
I just cracked open the first of my Oktoberfest and I'm very happy with the result.  I did include about half a pound of crystal in this batch and I would eliminate it completely on the next go around.  Otherwise it's perfect.  Clean, malty, good head and carbonation.  Very nice deep copper color. 
Clint
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Offline dhacker

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #58 on: October 10, 2010, 06:28:58 am »
Mine has been lagering for a week now, but it's on a very short fuse for the Brew Fest. (will have to be carbed and in two weeks for the Fest on the 30th) This is the first time I've made this clone and couldn't be happier. It already is a malty O-Fest bomb! Clean, not too sweet, beautiful color and very smooth on the palate. A dangerous drink, I speculate!  ;D
Just brew it...

Offline bluesman

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Re: Oktoberfest!
« Reply #59 on: October 10, 2010, 07:12:27 am »
I just tapped my ofest on Friday and it is excellent.

It has a rich malty aroma with a hint of German noble hops. It's color is an orangey-gold. Brilliantly clear from the use of gelatin. A fairly tall creamy off white foam stand. The malt flavor dominates from use of munich and vienna but there's also a decent German noble hop flavor backing up the malt.  The beer has a very clean lager character with a smooth finish leaving some maltiness and a bit of hops.  I designed this beer to have more hop flavor than the style dictates so it would probably be dinged in competition but not in my house.  ;D

I am very pleased with the end product.  8)
Ron Price