Novemberfest 2012 Line-Up

We're now just under a week away from Novemberfest 2012. If you're like me, you'll be ready to celebrate the end of another dystopian presidential election cycle with a stiff drink. With that in mind, we've decided to feature two different Bocks (strong, malty German beers) as well as one lighter option for those of you who have to drive home. Here are the options you'll have to choose from (in addition to whatever surprises friends might show up with):

Hail Shaft Pilsener (4.7% ABV; 38 IBU's): Our lightest and hoppiest offering,  this Pilsener is brewed in the Franconian tradition, which means that its noble hop backbone is balanced by a subtle maltiness (more similar to a Czech-style Pilsner or Dortmunder Export, as opposed to the dry Pilseners of northern Germany). It's an easy drinker to be sure, but that doesn't mean it's a boring beer by any means.

Novemberfest Bockbier (6.3% ABV; 27 IBU's): November is Bock season in Bamberg, so just as the Bavarians have their Bock-strength Festbier for Oktoberfest, we figured we'd do the same for Novemberfest. Our Bock has the maltiness of an Oktoberfest with a touch of Schwarzbier-like roastiness. But don't let the dark color scare you... this beer's nothing like Guinness.

Cloud-to-Ground Weizenbock (7.5% ABV; 24 IBU's): We first brewed our Weizenbock for our inaugural Novemberfest back in 2005, and it was a big hit with those who could still remember drinking it the next morning. This one is a rich and complex beer... the malt gives chocolate, brown sugar and raisin notes while the yeast provides banana and clove. You can think of it as your dessert beer.

Orange Blossom Special Orange Cream Soda (0.0% ABV; 0 IBU's): For those of you who are designated drivers, pregnant, or otherwise not drinking, we'll also have our all-natural orange cream soda on tap. And if you want to booze it up a bit, you can always add a little bourbon or vanilla vodka to give it a kick.

So there you have it... Can't wait to see everybody Saturday!