Monday, November 5, 2007

Octoberfest: Final Round

Paulaner versus Hacker Pschorr




I'll just get right to the point here. Both of these had a fresh balance of flavors, but the malts of the Paulaner came through better. It was smoother in texture and more distinct in flavor, but I will continue to enjoy both of these beers.

Octoberfest 2007 Winner: Paulaner!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Octoberfest: the Round of Four

Lowenbrau versus Hacker Pschorr




Coat of Arms and Passes: Hacker strode to the lists with with a noble robe of amber and a fine frothy crown. Lowenbrau looked timid in comparison. Appearances translated into taste. Lowenbrau was first, seeming fatigued and mildly skunked. The malts were present and were nice, but the hint of fatigued skunkiness was there. Hacker behaved as if this were its first round, with a fresh, nutty malt flavor. The lance is lowered with a confident force, and a fatal blow is landed!

Hacker is victorious!


Paulaner versus Summit City



Coat of Arms and Passes: Looking almost identical in appearance, they both exuded a calm glow, ready for war. A quaff of Paulaner...ahhh, the fine caramael-ish malts I have come to know and love. Summit City...so nice before, so transparent now...the slight burnt tones of flavor somewhat erasing the other flavors that should have come through...a hesitation of the sword if you will, and a fatal one. Paulaner lance has shattered; his foe is devastated!
Paulaner is victorious!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Octoberfest Round 2

Weihenstephaner versus Lowenbrau




Coat of Arms: Weihenstephaner comes to the field with a nobler appearance, its unique (compared with the other Octoberfests I've tried), sunlit cloudiness impressing the gallery.

Passes: Weihenstephaner casually trots out with a lemony arrogance, expecting to take down the somewhat dull looking Lowenbrau without much effort, but lo! Lowenbrau stuns again with a fuller-than-expected density to its flavor. The lemon stallion is out!

Winner: Lowenbrau