Enbeerment’s Oktoberfestbier of the Week (2020): Oktoberfest Bier by Golden Road/Spaten

First off, let me address the elephant in the room by saying that yes, this is a post about Golden Road and their collaboration with Spaten. Yes, both are under the AB-InBev portfolio. If one has a problem with this for whatever reason, you may click away. But, I hope you stay.

Now, let’s get on with the post. Our final Oktoberfestbier for this year comes to us from Golden Goad in collaboration with Spaten, Oktoberfest Bier.

Spaten is one of the six original breweries in Munich that can serve their Festiber at Oktoberfest at the festival grounds. We are all aware of the famous wedding between Prince Ludwig Princess Therese In October of 1810 that serves as one of the reasons for the modern-day Oktoberfest celebrations. But the modern Märzen style has a strong connection with Spaten. This collaboration with Golden Road is yet another winner for the historic brewery.

In 1833, Gabriel Sedlmayr II of Spaten and brewing colleague Anton Dreher from Vienna traveled to England to learn about new malting techniques. Legend has it they used a hollowed-out cane to swipe some wort for analysis. While this is probably true, the new malting techniques were more valuable than any wort they might have siphoned off. Each brewer got to work.

Sedlmayr released a Märzen in 1841 using the Munich Malt he developed and Dreher released a similar beer using Vienna Malt some months later. One year later, in 1842, Josef Groll released a Pilsner out of the city of Pilsen in modern-day Czechia. In 1872, Gabriel’s brother Joseph Sedlmayr of Franziskaner released an Ur- Märzen in the year 1872 after using the best of both worlds (Märzen and Vienna) and an influence of the popular pale lager. This beer resembles our modern-day Märzen. As of 1922, Franziskaner merged to become part of Spaten.

Today, Golden Road has many pubs and has seen much growth since becoming part of AB-InBev. Although, it can be argued that their success and popularity would have happened anyway because of the talent on the brew-deck. Award-winning brewers Victor Novak and his right-hand man Steven Torres can usually be found in Anaheim and sometimes in Huntington Beach (HB). Novak had a heavy hand in generating the recipe for this beer. A legend in the beer industry, Novak shows his masterful gift in this beer.

Amber in color, clear with a beautiful cap of foam. The aromas are toasty with rich toffee and sweet bread. On the palate, this beer is malty and chewy, yet balanced with enough bitterness to keep it from cloying. A lovely example of a Märzen! Pick some up before they’re gone.

Visit Golden Road Anaheim: 2210 E Orangewood Ave.

Visit Golden Road HB: 16390 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 100

Or, on the Web.

Prost! 

Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

Enbeerment’s Oktoberfestbier of the Week (2020): Oktoberfest by Stereo Brewing

1L "Stein" of Stereo's Oktoberfest

O’zapft is! Oktoberfest in Munich may have been cancelled this year for health safety reasons (rightfully so), but that doesn’t mean we still can’t celebrate in our own way here locally as safe as possible. With that spirit of celebration, the malty lagers are beginning to shine at breweries all over OC. Stereo’s Oktoberfest is one of many, but it stands out as a wonderful example that deserves recognition. Oktoberfest by Stereo is the first of the Märzen/Festbier focused Lagerbier of the Week from now until the end of October!

This golden copper colored lager resonates with rich malty aromas resembling toasted biscuits and nuts, and brown sugar. Flavors are toasty with some toffee-like notes that finish dry on the palate. Enough bitterness to keep the sweetness at bay and add to the crisp nature of the dryness. Wunderschöne!

Last year’s version was by no means a standard lagerbier and was a great representation of the Vienna Lager style. There’s just something beautiful about the display of balance and complexity all at once in this more traditional Oktoberfestbier.

If you were part of the Road Crew last year and/or were able to snag up a large 1L Krüge, keep a close eye on their social media’s for deals where you can bring it in and receive a discounted fill of Oktoberfest.

Visit them in Placentia at 950 South Vía Rodeo, or on the Web, Instagram, and Facebook.

Prost!
Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®