Most Wonderful Time, of the Year

Fall will soon be upon us and with it my favorite time of the year.  Today for example was almost perfect weather and temperature.  Also, Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ales have been released.

Oktoberfest or Marzan beers are traditionally release in mid September after having been brewed in March and lagered (stored) over the summer.  Traditionally the storing was done in caves with temperatures in the mid 50s, but in modern days it's often just refrigerated.

Either way Marzens are traditionally very malty with a very clear light brown color.  Not as pale as a Budweiser lager, but some of the same characteristics.  Very clear, finishes dry on the pallet, with malt flavor on the tongue and subdued hops bitterness, but still retaining some hop flavor.

Today I was lucky enough to find a freshly tapped Oktoberfest in the local Upland Tasting Room.
http://uplandbeer.com/eat-n-drink/indy-tasting-room/  Since it was my first time in the tasting room, I didn't know what to expect.  What I found was a quiet little hangout that does a lot of growler fills and walkout business. (For those who don't know a growler is a 1/2 gallon refillable bottle for carryout beer) Upon walking in, I was greeted quickly and offered a sample of really anything I wanted to taste.  Since I was there for the October fest, I asked for a sample.  It definitely was pleasing to the palate so I ordered a pint and found a chair.

Seating capacity for the tasting room is only about 30.  However since it was still afternoon there were plenty of empty chairs.  I found a nice green upholstered chair in the back, connected to the free wifi and proceeded to enjoy my beer and just poke around on the internet.

It took me about 40 minutes to savor my Oktoberfest.  As it warmed the flavor changed slightly and it was a little more robust and slightly maltier as the temp increased.  Finishing my beer, I had my growler filled and was out the door to go get dinner for the family.

Upland Oktoberfest - I'm sure all the statistics are available on the Upland website, here's my take.  Very malty, finishes dry.  Probably around 5% ABV and 20 or so IBU. This style fits my tastes very well.  Just enough hop flavor and hop spice to let you know you aren't drinking a mass market beer.  Way more malt flavor than I ever find in non craft beer.  Perfect beer for ordering by the pitcher to do with some pizza, beer, or anything that has some meat and spice.  This is a style of beer I could drink year round and in many ways is the epitome of what beer should taste like  8/10.

Beer Fridge

I just had to rearrange my beer fridge because it is too full of awesome beer.  Feel free to give me a call, I need someone to help me drink the deliciousness.

In the fridge
Pogue's Run Porter
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
Waberbrew - Brown
All grain nut brown
breakfast stout
Honey Wheat
Sierra Nevada Tumbler
Sierra Nevada Oliva Quad
Trappistes Rochefort 10
Sam Adams Cinderbock
Woodchuck
Life and Limb 2

Coming soon
Mocktoberfest

Sierra Nevada Fall Seasonal - Tumbler

I love fall seasonal beers, Octoberfests, Browns, Pumpkin ales, I love them all.  I recently met Steve the Indiana Sierra Nevada rep at a couple of different parties.  I thought I'd see if his product is any good.

The fall seasonal - Tumbler seems at first glance like it would be my kind of beer.  Brown, malty, not too bitter, sounds like a Waber kind of beer.  Also, being a fall seasonal in September, I'm pretty sure it will be fresh and not sitting around too long.

I picked up a 6'er at my local package store and I have to say I like it pretty well.  It has a lot of the same flavors as the English Mild I brewed, just bigger.  The English mild is exactly that, mild.  Not to strong, not too hoppy, just gentle.  Tumbler is like the English Mild punched up a bit. 

It's pretty good. I don't normally drink much Sierra Nevada.  Most of the time all those west coast breweries are way to hop focused for me.  Tumbler isn't.  Extremely drinkable and really good in the evening when the heat of the day is gone.  I'll buy at least one more 6 of Tumbler, and I'll be looking forward to it again next year.  Solid 7 of 10 and one I'd recommend.