STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Point Oktoberfest is back again to deliver the authentic taste of Munich’s world-famous beer festival wherever Point beers are sold.
For the first time, Point Oktoberfest will be available in 16-ounce cans — a convenient companion for fun fall activities. Point Oktoberfest is also available in 6-pack bottles, 12-pack bottles, 12-pack 12-ounce cans, and on tap.
The Stevens Point Brewery continues to increase production of this fall favorite according to Stevens Point Brewery’s Operating Partner, Joe Martino.
“Shipments of Point Oktoberfest continue to climb every year. We increased production and added a 16-ounce 4-pack can package to meet demand and keep our customers pouring Point Oktoberfest as long as possible this fall,” Martino said.
“Seasonal beers as a group are the fastest growing segment of craft beers,” he added. “Oktoberfest beer continues to be the most popular and widely recognized seasonal beer style, so, Point Oktoberfest’s popularity comes as no surprise.”
Oktoberfest is a style of German lager that originated in Munich, home of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival. Munich’s first Oktoberfest in 1810 celebrated the wedding of Bavaria’s crown prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony.
Characterized by a malty flavor, full body and a deep, reddish copper color, the first Oktoberfest beers were Marzen beers, or “March” beers, brewed in the early spring and allowed to mature through the summer to be ready for the festival season in September and October. The popularity of the Oktoberfest and its robust, tasty Marzen lagers grew until the beer and the festival became synonymous – and famous around the world.
Brewing Point Oktoberfest
Point Oktoberfest, sold in six-packs and 12-packs of long-neck NR bottles, four- packs of 16-ounce cans, 12-pack 12-ounce cans and kegs, is brewed with Vienna, 2-row Munich and Crystal malts and select Hallertauer, Tettnanger and Spalter hops imported from Bavaria.
“The malts we use result in full-bodied, slightly sweet malty beer with and the distinctive copper red color of Oktoberfest beers,” said Gabe Hopkins, Stevens Point Brewery brewmaster. “The hops deliver a somewhat dry character to the finish. Point Oktoberfest is a well-balanced brew worthy of the most important beer festival of the year.”
Stevens Point Brewery, founded in 1857, uses only the highest-grade barley malts, specialty malts, grains and the choicest hops to brew its handcrafted beers.
In addition to Point Oktoberfest, the brewery’s seasonal beers include Point Apricadabra Apricot Wheat Ale for the spring; Point Coast Radler, a mix of beer and natural citrus flavors for the summer; and Siesta Key Citrus Pale Ale, also for the warm months of summer.
The Stevens Point brewery’s year-round lineup features flagship Point Special Lager; Point Amber Classic, an American-style Amber Lager; Newly introduced Point S.P.A. (Session Pale Ale) an American Style Pale Ale; Point Onyx Black Ale, a robust dark ale; Point Beyond the Pale IPA, a robust, hoppy India Pale Ale; Point Smiley Blue Pils, a Czech-style Pilsner; and Point Drop Dead Blonde Ale, a 110 calorie golden ale.
In addition to the year-round and seasonal craft brands Point offers four seasonal variety 12-packs, each containing three bottles of four unique beers available only in the variety packs.
Available in the summer months, the Long Days variety pack features four refreshing fruit lagers: Point Lime Lager, Point Mango Lager, Point Tart Cherry Lager and Point Watermelon Mojito Lager. During the winter months, the Long Nights variety pack features Malted Milk Shake Lager, Pistachio Nut Brown Ale, Gingerbread Ale and Salted Caramel Toffee Ale. For Fall, The Harvest Craft Creations 12-pack features Point Cranberry Wheat Ale, Point Squash Ale, Point Pumpkin Peach Ale and Point Blood Orange Amber. Four unique year-round India pale ales – Point Spruce Tip IPA, Point Peach Mango IPA, Point White IPA and Point One Shot IPA are available only in the Point IPA variety 12-pack.
The Stevens Point Brewery also brews Whole Hog Limited Edition “big beers.” They include year-round Whole Hog Espresso Stout and Whole Hog Imperial India Pale Ale. Seasonal offerings include Whole Hog Peach Hefeweizen, Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout, Whole Hog Barley Wine and Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale.
For more information about the Stevens Point Brewery, visit www.pointbeer.com or call (715) 344-9310. Tours of the brewery are available, with schedules listed on the website.