So – I am impatient and I have decided that, even though the poll isn’t officially closed, Oktoberfest style beer is the one most people who read this blogging are looking forward to drink this autumn. I voted for Porter, and the peeps who want a wine cooler can call up Bartles and/or Jaymes.
I like Oktoberfest. I really do. The only issue I have with it is as a homebrewer is that it is a hard style to brew correctly.
It is a lager. The definition of a lager means it’s a beer that to ferments at lower than room temperatures. We’re talking 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Unless you have a fridge with a thermostat hooked up to it, you can’t really make lagers…unless you have a sweet cave in your back yard.
Read what Beer Advocate says about Oktoberfest.
Here are the Beer Judge Certification Program’s guidelines for an Oktoberfest.
It is interesting to note that this style shares guidelines with another one called Marzen. I think the Oktoberfest moniker came later (probably after the original public celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Luitpold I and Princess Theressa of Bavaria on October 17, 1810…which was the birth of Oktoberfest – the festival). Marzens were brewed in March and then stored in caves all summer to keep cool. In the late summer/early fall, they were enjoyed….I guess that’s what they had on tap when the Prince got hitched.
In my opinion, Oktoberfests are good because:
- They are malty
- They are smooth
- They have a little more alcohol content than the standard 4% by volume
They just aren’t beginner homebrewer beer. Maybe next year.
Hope to raise a pint with you soon.
Mike
There are several great ale strains available that ferment with “lager” like cleanness.
For example, WLP001 cali common is a very clean yeast. WLP029 (kolsch) and WLP036 (Alt).
There is also a new lager strain that keeps its clean lager properties eve at ale temps.
WLP810 San Fran lager yeast, this is the legendary Steam Beer strain that ferments like a lager all the way up to 65F. WLP862 “Cry Havoc” is a new strain from Charlie Papazian that ferments from 68-74! And will cellar well at 55F.
A simple swamp cooler and some ice blocks could easily be combined to do a very very passable Oktoberfest… even as a regular ale brewer! Something to think about.
John
Will these ale yeasts leave the finished beer as clean as an Oktoberfest should be, in my opinion?
To me, Anchor Steam (the commercially available beer that uses this strain) is pretty estery – meaning it has fruit-like notes in the taste.
If you have never had an Anchor Steam beer, you can learn more about it here: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/
I want my Oktoberfest to be really clean.
When you have built swamp coolers in the past, how have you done it? Did you use an insulated vessel like a styrofoam box or an Igloo/Thermos Brand box cooler, wrapped your fermentor with a wet towel, and used a fan to circulate air around it and help evaporation? How stable were the temperatures?
Mike
<p>Your best bets would be the Alt yeast or one of the Lager strains. These lager strains have been getting a lot of attention lately for the exact properties that you are looking for, clean profile at higher than normal lager yeast temps.<br />
I’ve never brewed with them personally, but this seems like a good way to go.</p>
<p>I had a styrofoam box that my fermentor would just fit in and I could squeeze in four 16oz water bottles in the corners. I also used to just put the fermentor into a regular cooler with water just fine as well. With either application I would do the old T-shirt and fan trick to assist with wicking and cooling. In a cool basement room that should easily get you to a steady 65F. Cally common yeast will definitely be clean there, and these lager strains would be even cleaner.</p>
John
Thanks Mike. I never imagined we would converse via the comments form.
I am sure we will discuss stuff through this format many more times.
To all the readers, you can tell Mike has much more experience at homebrewing than I do. I am probably going to take the beginner/newbie angle in all the posts, since I am still pretty new at brewing beer.
I’ll probably point out pretty obvious stuff like what Anchor Steam beer is…but it’s meant for readers who don’t know a lot. We serve all kinds here.