Club Corner
September 2025 Beer of the Month
OKTOBERFEST It’s that time of year again; pull out your lederhosen and grab your stein! With the German festivities in full effect as you’re receiving this email, we have a selection of some German and local takes on both the more traditional marzën and the lighter modern style more common in the current Bavarian festivities. While the festivities date back to the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (who later became King Ludwig I whose patronage of the arts helped establish Munich as the artistic center of Germany) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810, the marzën beer style dates back to 1553 when Duke Albrecht Wittelsbacher V banned brewing between the 23rd of April and the 29th of September to avoid spoilage during the summer months. This regulation was enforced until 1850! This led to brewers aging their beers over the summer and releasing them in September in time to replenish their hops and malt. These beers are great with rich cheeses like Gruyère, Gouda, Comte, or Fontina as well as various sausages, pork dishes, and fried foods. Prost! Justin Malesheetz Beer Buyer Schwendl Schalchner Festbock 500mL Bavaria, Germany Medium gold in color with a mousse-like foam and notes of banana bread, toasted bread, and graham crackers on the nose with bright hoppy flavors. $6.99 per bottle Brauerei Michael Plank Plank O'Zapft Bavaria, Germany Medium amber in color with mousse-like foam with notes of honey and toasted bread on the nose. Smooth and soft on the palate with a rich malt finish. $5.99 per bottle Aslan Das Boot Festbier Bellingham, WA Brewery Notes: The combination of Pilsner and Munich malt contributes flavors of toast with honey and fresh dough. The hops provide a delicate floral and peppery note that balances the malt profile. With a bit bigger body and ABV than a typical German lager, this festbier has us ready to celebrate the coming of fall and is perfect for the upcoming cooler nights. $3.99 per can
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Beer of the Month Club September 2024: Oktoberfest
OKTOBERFEST It’s that time of year again; pull out your lederhosen and grab your stein! With the German festivities in full effect as you’re receiving this email, we have a selection of some German and local takes on both the more traditional marzën and the lighter modern style more common in the current Bavarian festivities. While the festivities date back to the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (who later became King Ludwig I whose patronage of the arts helped establish Munich as the artistic center of Germany) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810, the marzën style dates back to 1553 when Duke Albrecht Wittelsbacher V banned brewing between the 23rd of April and the 29th of September to avoid spoilage during the summer months. This regulation was enforced until 1850! This led to brewers aging their beers over the summer and releasing them in September in time to replenish their hops and malt. These beers are great with rich cheeses like Gruyere, Gouda, Comte, or Fontina as well as various sausages, pork dishes, and fried foods. Prost! Justin Malesheetz Beer Buyer Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen Bavaria, Germany Medium amber in color with a mousse-like foam with notes of caramel, toasted bread, and graham crackers on the nose. Smooth on the palate with soft carbonation and a sweet malty finish. $5.99 per bottle/$108.82 per case Weihenstephaner Festbier Bavaria, Germany Gold in color with mousse-like foam with notes of honey and toasted bread on the nose. Smooth and soft on the palate with a rich malt finish. $5.99 per bottle/$108.82 per case Devil’s Canyon Festbier San Carlos, CA Light amber in color with fluffy foam and notes of toasted walnut, bread flour, and a slightly herbaceous on the nose. Soft, with a pleasing bitterness and lighter malt character on the medium finish. $5.99 per bottle/$130.58 per case East Brothers Festbier Richmond, CA Copper in color with moderate foam with floral and grainy notes. Rich malt notes on the palate with a walnut like bitterness and meatyness to the soft, medium finish. $4.99 per bottle/$108.98 per case Headlands Bierstiefel Festbier Lafayette, CA Medium amber with malty notes of toasted white bread and vanilla. Rich malt notes of graham cracker on the plush medium bodied finish. $4.99 per bottle/$108.98 per case Humble Sea Taste Güd Double Decocted Oktoberfest Lager Santa Cruz, CA Light brown with fluffy foam with notes of toasted bread, honey, and vanilla. Lush and toasty on the palate with a light bitterness on the roasted malt finish. $5.99 per bottle/$130.58 per case
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