Oktoberfest Bier — Paulaner Brauerei

First off, I must apologize to you, dear reader, as well as the myriad breweries that sent me Oktoberfest beers to review.  The week I planned on doing all Oktoberfest actually turned into all hard work week, and I'm only getting caught back up now.  That being said, many of these beers are still available, and are excellent brews for cooler fall days.  This one is a favourite of mine, and I was a bit surprised to realize I haven't reviewed it before.  One of the Munich breweries that has a tent at Oktoberfest, Paulaner is called a "sister brewery" to Hacker-Pschorr.  If I recall from meeting Martin Zuber, brewmaster at Hacker-Pschorr, I believe they share facilities.  Two of my favourite German brewers; I think a visit should be on my 5-year plan list.

[caption id="attachment_2591" align="aligncenter" width="540"] According to the information on the back of the can (and there's plenty of space for it), this contains 4.8 standard drinks. That means it's nearly "binge drinking" in one can, as defined by Health Canada.....[/caption]

From a massive 1 litre (1 Maß) can, Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier pours a crystal clear amber, with hints of orange in the centre.  A great big fluffy head drops to about 1/2" of loose head that lingers to the bottom of the stein.  Aroma is rich malts, like looking out over a field of barley from the window in a centuries old farmhouse where there is a loaf of pumpernickel bread baking.  Sweet and fragrant, there is also a touch of spicy hops that remind me vaguely of caraway.  Just lovely.  Taste is still nicely sweet at first, more medium roasted malts; one must assume a not insignificant portion of Munich malt, but the hops become more prevalent, still spicy, but also leafy a bit like green tea.  The body is medium-light, with a nice carbonation that keeps the sensation interesting and effervescent, without being over-powering.  Incredibly sessionable for a beer that clocks in at 6%abv, there is no doubt that I could finish a few Maß of this.....

Prost, Paulaner!

Buy This Beer

Each year this beer comes in to the LCBO in a cool package with a good quality stein (as pictured) and the can of beer.  At $12.75, there might be a bit of sticker shock, but you are getting one litre of beer, and a very decent piece of glassware that would make an excellent line of defense against burglars or the Kind of England.  LCBO product #147959.  Conversley, you could buy many many litres of this in Munich every year, during the last week of September....

[caption id="attachment_2590" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Paulaner Tent at Oktoberfest[/caption]

Drink It With

Sausages! Roast Chicken! Sauerkraut! Big chewy salty pretzels with mustard! Apple Strudel! The music of Walter Ostenak! Wearing your best lederhosen and green cap!

About The Brewery

The Paulaner Brewery was founded in 1634 by bavarian monks, who originally brewed beer for their own enjoyment. Today, the Munich-based brewery employs nearly 700 staff and produces 2.2 million hectolitres of beer annually, making it a market leader in its native Germany and abroad. For more information, visit http://www.paulaner.com

Tagged: Germany, Oktoberfest, Paulaner