The top Oktoberfest-style beers at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

  
  









  






  
  
  


It’s time to raise a glass and toast Cincinnati’s 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, you’ll want to keep your eyes out for these Oktoberfest beers
to make sure getting the most of your experience this Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.

We’ll 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.

  

Cincinnati’s brewers won’t be the only game in town of course. Some
regional and international players will get in on the Zinzinnati fun.

  

Sam Adams  Octoberfest

You can’t 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. That’s 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.

  

Bell’s  Octoberfest

This medium-body Märzen hails from our neighbors to the north and is
an easy-drinking addition to the Oktoberfest lineup. Bell’s 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

America’s 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

Here’s an international beer direct from Germany with an interesting
twist on the Oktoberfest style. This Oktoberfest is wheated; that
means you’ll find it has a thick, frothy body with a cloudy color.
Fans at RateBeer.com  say you’ll 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.

http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/beer/the-top-oktoberfest-style-beers-at-oktoberfest-zinzinnati