I know that hands down, the greater beer selection would be had at the Great American Beer Fest.  Beyond my wildest dreams, I’m sure, there would monster IPAs, sour ales, and obscure beer-blogger-bragging-rights brews just waiting to be quaffed, were I able to pony up the cash for enough tickets.  I’m sure the scene would be cool…lot’s of beer enthusiasts swishing their glasses and sharing stories, beer authors and beer greats chatting it up, and so on.  But how would the culture fare?  Could it move beyond JUST the craft beer culture?  Colorado’s cool and all…I’ve been there and found it interesting.

Oktoberfest would be a different story.  For the most part, the beers would be similar and selection would be whittled down to six brews:  The same six breweries have provided the beer since 1818:   Spaten, Löwenbräu, Augustiner, Hofbräu, and Hacker-Pschorr.  (Click here for more info).  I doubt you’d bump into Papazian, Brooks or Bryson (three guys I’d LOVE to meet someday) or Betty Beer Blogger for that matter.  I think you just might revel in anonymity, lots of golden beer, and a heck of a lot of culture.  I’m sure there would be plenty accordion and tuba led dances, big old barrels of frothy Oktoberfestbiers tapped the old fashion way, and gobs of heart stopping sausage, spitzel, and kraut…God’s gift to the tongue, in my opinion.  I’ve been to Germany also, for what it’s worth, I found it to be an incredible place to visit.

I’ve been to neither of these events.  At this point in life, I’ll be relying on a wealthy benefactor to make it happen.  Given my lack of experience, I’d choose to visit Oktoberfest.  The history and culture of the mass beer party is compelling enough, let alone the allure of a foreign land.  But, besides this…sometimes I feel like I live the Great American Beer Fest on a weekly basis as I peruse the internet land of beer writing.  There seems to be little difference besides the coagulation of beer writers  and their respective beers in one building.

How about you?  If someone paid your fare, which festival would you choose to attend and why?

That’s about all the German I know, but all I need.

As I poured Spaten’s Oktoberfest into my goblet, I was a little surprised.  I was expecting to see a clear golden lager but instead a beautiful clear amber brew filled the glass with minimal head.  I believe in the past Spaten has put out a more pale Marzen, which may have lead to my presumption.  It was almost copperish in color.  without even trying I could smell the malt, as Mike predicted.  It was a sweet malty smell, slightly spiced/herbal smelling.

As it hit my tongue it was a little drier than I expected, but as I concentrated on the beer the sweet malty flavor takes over.  It had a slightly bready taste.  As the beer washes down a hoppy (but very subtle) metalic flavor remains for a pleasent aftertaste.  The beer had a bitter quality that was quite nice that was present from the first smell to the finish that complimented the sweetness well.

Overall, I enjoyed the beer.  I liked the warmth in my mouth, the roasted malt flavor, and the bitter finish.  Until we put together a grading scale here at THFB (this weeks project) I will say it wasn’t the best I ever had; that is, it hasn’t left a lasting impression like other beers have, but I would buy it again.