Continuing from last week’s kickoff of Oktoberfest focused beers until the end of this month, we travel up La Palma Ave a bit for our next lagerbier. We arrive at Brewery X, the striking and almost unfathomably popular brewery that is celebrating its 1st year since it officially began pouring beer. One of the beers that was available shortly after opening was briefly flowing once again. Festbier, Ja! is our Oktoberfestbier of the week.
During their Oktoberfest and 1st Year Anniversary combo celebration the last weekend of September, Festbier, Ja! flowed so much the draught version unfortunately no longer available. But, as of this post, packed six-packs are available to take home. It is unfortunate you can’t enjoy this on draught out in their spacious biergarten, but there’s plenty of Stein Me Up, their Helles Lager which serves as a great substitute for on-site enjoyment.
The beer is one of the few local examples of the Festbier style. Not to be confused with the Märzen style, Festbier is more golden in color and a bit less on the toasty notes you’ll find in the darker malty lagerbier. Festbier, Ja! is perhaps slightly too pale gold, but I won’t knock it too much for that. The aromas are that of light toast, and a bit floral with notes of biscuits, rich cereal with honey, and a touch of grass on the palate with a lingering bitterness to prevent the finish from being overly sweet.
Prost!
Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®