Its time to raise a glass and toast Cincinnatis great German heritage as downtown is taken over by the fun and crowds of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati this weekend.
As you make your way through an expected flood of more than 500,000 people, youll want to keep your eyes out for these Oktoberfest beers to make sure getting the most of your experience this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Well start with the local guys who have been hard at work brewing some of your fall favorites:
Christian Moerlein Fifth and Vine Oktoberfest
In addition to its UberDrome festivities, Christian Moerlein is getting into the Oktoberfest spirit with its Fifth and Vine Oktoberfest beer. This venerable Märzen features a lightly-toasted character with a touch of sweetness and deep copper color.
Rivertown Octoberfest
These Lockland-based brewers are bringing the spice to the fest with their Oktoberfest Märzen lager. This Munich malt-forward beer features spicy German hops and rewards the drinker with a smooth, mellow taste and a rich aroma.
Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Cincinnati isn't the only city with a strong German tradition. The Great Lakes Oktoberfest pays homage to their past with a medal-winning lager full of noble hops and rich malt flavor.
Hudepohl Octoberfest
Not to be forgotten, the Hudepohl Octoberfest is a local favorite. This bier features lots of Munich, Pilsner, Caramel and Victory malts with a healthy addition of Hallertau hops. It proudly flies the flag of Bavaria and the city of Munich to pay homage to the origination of the Oktoberfest festival.
Cincinnatis brewers wont be the only game in town of course. Some regional and international players will get in on the Zinzinnati fun.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
You cant have Oktoberfest Zinzinnati without Sam Adams. The streets will be full of tankards of this smooth-drinking malty staple. Brewer and owner Jim Koch himself will be in town to tap the official keg on Saturday. Sam Adams' version of the Märzen style features their own blend of special malts, Munich and caramel malt. Thats topped off with a blend of Tettnang, Tettnanger and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops. This deep amber colored brew comes in at 5.3 percent ABV which will make for easy drinking.
Bells Octoberfest
This medium-body Märzen hails from our neighbors to the north and is an easy-drinking addition to the Oktoberfest lineup. Bells says the beer has a full bodied, malty flavor with refreshing bitterness from the addition of noble hops.
Goose Island Oktoberfest
Revelers may note hints of toffee and burnt sugar in the Märzen offering from Chicago. Goose Island says you might also pick up some sweet dried apricots in this copper-colored lager. At 6.4 percent ABV, it will be among the stronger Oktoberfest beers.
Yuengling Oktoberfest
Americas oldest brewery is breaking out of its mold and adds to its seasonal lineup with this new Märzen beer. Copper in color and of medium body, the Yuengling brewers say they merged the right blend of malt and hops to be a true representation of the Oktoberfest style.
Erdinger Oktoberfest
Heres an international beer direct from Germany with an interesting twist on the Oktoberfest style. This Oktoberfest is wheated; that means youll find it has a thick, frothy body with a cloudy color. Fans at RateBeer.com say youll taste white wheat bread, a bit of bitterness and a syrupy sweetness. At 5.7 percent ABV, this is also an easy-drinking example of the style.
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