Branchville Oktoberfest - October 15, 2011

This afternoon local businesses in Branchville took part in an Oktoberfest celebration.

At Ancona’s Wines, we hosted a German tasting introducing customers to wines from Diehl Winery. We tasted Diehl’s 2009 Riesling, 2010 Gewurztraminer, 2010 Dornfelder and 2009 Spatburgunder. All were well received by our customers and are wonderful examples of their varietals.

The Ridgefield Choaral serenaded guests with upbeat tunes from the past and present. They did a really great job and kept the crowd smiling and moving to the beat.

Ancona's Market had their grill fired up and ready by 12:00. The market had a constant flow of burgers, dogs and bratwurst on the grill with proceeds donated to the Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club.

The Little Pub hosted their 'Ghost Wing Challenge'... I’m not sure who the winner of the competition was, but my eyes are watering just thinking about how spicy those wings were!

It was a lot of fun and we can not wait for next year's celebration.

Beer 365 #175 Thomas Hooker Octoberfest Lager

Beer 365 #175, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365 #175 Thomas Hooker Octoberfest Lager
Pours an almost opaque dark amber with nice tan head. Nose that is chock full of sweet, toasty malt. Somewhat light in body with subtle carbonation. The taste follows the nose, nice biscuity sweet malt that morphs to a nice spicy hop note at the finish.(6.1% ABV)

Beer 365 #171 Avery "The Kaiser" Oktoberfest

Beer 365 #171, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365- #171 Avery "The Kaiser" Oktoberfest
Pours a copper brown with dense white head. Nose is sweet malt with candied fruit,and a touch of heat from the alcohol. The body is dense and chewy with slight bubbles. The flavor follows the nose, sweet tootsie roll flavors, hints of orange liquor and honey vodka. (9.3% ABV)

Beer 365 #159 Sam Adams Octoberfest

Beer 365 #159, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365 #159 Sam Adams Octoberfest
Pours an amber brown with thin tan head. Lots of breadiness in the nose. The feel is light with good carbonation. Nice controlled malt flavors, some caramel, finishes somewhat sweet. (5.7% ABV)

Beer 365 #144 Kostritzer Oktoberfest

Beer 365 #144, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365 # Kostritzer Oktoberfest
Pours an orange/copper color with off white head. Sweetish malt nose with dabs of hay/straw, corn on the cob. Medium to light bodied with ample spritz. Mild flavors of sweet malt, corn adjunct, and a bitter dry finish. (?% ABV)

Beer 365 #133 Harpoon Octoberfest

Beer 365 #133, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365- #133 Harpoon Octoberfest

Pours a dark amber color with nice off white head. Nice blend of malt and hops on the nose. I would say the caramel malt is a bit more dominant than the floral hops. Mouth is slightly thin with good carbonation. Flavors are balanced, caramel, toffee malt countered by spicy hops. (5.5%b ABV)

Beer 365 #132 Berkshire Brewing Oktoberfest Lager

Beer 365 #132, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365- #132 Berkshire Brewing Oktoberfest Lager

Pours a clear dark brown with quickly fading tan head. Really sweet caramel, pumpernickel nose. The mouth is light in feel with medium fizz. Flavors are sweet, almost to the point of cloying. Tones of caramel, brown sugar, molasses, the finish id drier but doesn't stop the sweetness from lingering for a while on the palate. (6.8% ABV)

Beer 365 #130 Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Beer 365 #130, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365- #130 Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Pours mahogany brown with nicely forming tan head. Nose is malty, bisquity, caramel, slight fruit from the hops. Mouth is medium to light and a nice creaminess. The flavors follow the nose, nice bready maltiness followed by a slight brown sugar sweetness. Mild hoppiness shows up in the finish making this an enjoyable session fest beer. (5.5 ABV)

Beer 365 #114 Erdinger Oktoberfest Weizen

Beer 365 #114, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Beer 365- #116 Erdinger Oktoberfest Weizen
Pours a hazy dark orange, with thin off white head. Nice nose of crisp citrus, wheat and a slightly yeasty. Light bodied with zingy effervescence. Flavors meld the two styles. Distinct banana and mild clove paired nicely with sweet lightly toasted malt, clean dry finish. (5.6% ABV)