Have to disagree that sulfate lowers the pH of the mash.  Sulfate is the conjugate base of sulfuric and sulfurous acids according to the following equilibria:

H2SO4 -> HSO4- + H3O+
HSO4- <=> SO42- + H3O+

Sulfate anion reacts with water to remove a proton, resulting in hydroxide ion which in turn RAISES mash pH

SO42- + H2O <=> HSO4- + OH-

Sulfates in water, as long as they are from metal salt sources (MgSO4, etc) will have a higher pH.  Water high in sulfates from acid sources (sulfuric acid) will have a lower pH.

Sounds neat!

I'm happy to see a low ABV porter/stout in there, too.  And that was in very excellent.

Glad to see Ed Fitz ranking that high.  It is a GREAT beer.

Glad to see Ed Fitz ranking that high.  It is a GREAT beer.

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh generally has their brewpub version on in September and the imported Munich beer in October.

http://www.hofbrauhauspittsburgh.com/beer

Did a quick Wheeling check today-nothing new @ Smoker
Friendly on the Island, but Kroger in Woodsdale had the
new Harpoon Variety pack with the Belgian Pale Ale.  I'll
wait for it to turn up here in a 6er.  Their IPA isn't bad,
but I don't much care for their UFO.

Chevy Chase Wine and Spirits in DC easily carries a majority of the 100.  And it's not a big shop.

I really enjoy Oktoberfest beers, or at American versions of the style.  I know our more "coppery" versions have German cousins, but they also brew lighter (as far as color, not necessarily taste) Oktoberfests.I like those, too, though; just haven't had but one or two.Looking forward to trying this version if I can find it!

With the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest just around the corner, Hofbräu, the state brewery of Bavaria, is getting ready for the masses of beer lovers who will soon descend on Munich.

Since 1997, Hofbräu Oktoberfest has also been available here in the United States. So keep an eye out for the old lager when you're preparing to celebrate beer this fall.

Below is a press release from the Hofbräuhaus of America LLC importer.

On October 17 in 1810, forty thousand joyous spectators flocked to a field outside of Munich to celebrate the wedding of Ludwig of Bavaria and Therese of Saxony – Hildburghausen. A horse race was held as part of the celebration. These festivities where repeated every year and became what is known today as the Oktoberfest.  The meadow was later named the Theresienwiese in honor the princess and is now no longer outside of Munich but in the middle.

That was the meager beginnings of the first Oktoberfest.  Today it is the largest in the world with about 6 million attendees in the 16 days of it running. This year it will start on September 18 and concludes October 4. Besides Munich, the custom has spread around the globe and today there are hundreds of Oktoberfests.

Hofbräu beer and its brewery in Munich are very much connected with the beginnings as well as today.  The bridegroom Ludwig was the owner of the Hofbräu Brewery. Today, still owned by the State of Bavaria, Hofbräu as one of Munich’s breweries has the largest tent at the Oktoberfest.  It holds ten thousand people.

The only beer allowed to be served at the Oktoberfest in Munich by all Munich breweries, as directed by the City of Munich, is a pale lager with an alcohol by volume of around 6%. For the last 13 years Hofbräu has exported that identical Oktoberfest beer served to its customers in the Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest in Munich to its customers in the US. It has been the only Munich brewer that made this type of beer available to the US public and continues to do so. Hofbräuhaus of America LLC is the proud importer of Hofbräu Oktoberfest.

“We are honored to be connected with such a historic brewery. Hofbräuhaus of America has the pleasure of providing the American public with this exceptional Oktoberfest beer that is often ranked as the best” said Fred Schumacher, President of Hofbräuhaus of America LLC.

Just popped a session honey pale ale... mmm, sweet home brew...