[ad_1]
Firestone Walker’s fall seasonal is again with the 2024 version of Oaktoberfest.
As all the time, this newest launch is an oak-inspired homage to the enduring “festbiers” which might be synonymous with Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration.
“There’s nothing that I stay up for greater than good lager beer like Oaktoberfest,” says brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “A sessionable beer like that is made to be consumed in celebratory moments, however it’s additionally the right on a regular basis drinker.”
The 2024 Oaktoberfest Oak Aged Lager is 5.2% ABV. It begins rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets this week in 6-pack (12-oz. cans) and draft codecs.
The identify “Oaktoberfest” is a riff on Firestone Walker’s longtime dedication to brewing and growing old beer in oak barrels. Oaktoberfest has been a seasonal staple at Firestone Walker relationship again to the inaugural launch in 2006. Every year, nevertheless, tweaks are made; for the 2024 version, this included a brand new ending hop — Hallertau Mittelfrüh, a traditional German heirloom selection.
“Hallertau Mittelfrüh is an ideal match for Oaktoberfest,” Brynildson says. “It’s much less fruity in comparison with a number of trendy hops, and it has extra of a resinous and cedarwood character that basically performs nicely with the beer’s malty base.”
As all the time, the most recent Oaktoberfest was brewed with all-German substances, together with Weyermann Pilsner malts and Vienna malts, with a splash of Munich and Cara Crimson. “The Vienna malt helps drive the beer’s golden-amber hue and malty flavors,” Brynildson says. “We’re purposely going for extra of a golden hue versus one thing reddish, as a result of that’s how these beers are in Germany — only a bit extra golden than a Helles.”
For the previous a number of years, a portion of Oaktoberfest has been lagered in oak barrels inherited from a Napa Valley vineyard. This yr, Brynildson and his staff modified it up, sourcing the barrels from Winemaker Russell From of Herman Story Wines in Paso Robles.
“Russell is an efficient pal of ours, and his barrels are each bit as superior as something we’ve used earlier than,” Brynildson says. “We’re not in search of an enormous oak or wine influence from the barrels. Slightly, the barrels lend a fifth factor and an underlying presence within the texture of the beer. It’s exhausting to place your finger on, however it’s wholly completely different than if the beer was lagered solely in chrome steel.”
Oaktoberfest’s mild golden-amber colour foreshadows its toasty, biscuity taste, the corporate says. The oak-barrel lagering permits for a smoother texture, whereas additionally retaining the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.
“Oaktoberfest is wealthy in taste but additionally light-bodied and simple to drink — it’s the form of beer you naturally crave as summer season turns to fall,” Brynildson says. “Personally, it brings me again to all of our adventures sourcing hops in Germany and taking our staff to expertise Oktoberfest firsthand. It’s like placing these experiences into the liquid after which including an additional contact of California aptitude.”
[ad_2]