Raise the Stein

Fall is one of my favorite seasons and Samuel Adams Octoberfest is easily one of my favorite beers.  For the last fifteen years, the seasonal release of Octoberfest has signaled the start of darker nights, cooler days, and flavorful malty beers.  Although seasonal beers seem to always get released earlier and earlier, my enthusiasm for them never dampens, especially when it concerns Octoberfest.

As a way of celebrating Octoberfest in the US, Samuel Adams is hosting the second annual National Stein Hoisting Competition.  The grand prize is a trip to the 2013 Octoberfest celebration in Munich.  Nice.

Thankfully, you can stein host with or without lederhosen.  

How does it work?  Easy.  Grab a stein and fill it with Sam Adams Octoberfest.  Next, grab your beer filled stein and extend your arm straight out, parallel to the floor.  Keep your arm rigid, grit your teeth, and think of Munich.  The stein held longest in the air wins.  According to the current leader board, that's about 16 minutes.  I can safely say this is a feat of strength and mind.  I never held a beer that long and not tasted it.

The official competition started last week in Cincinnati, Boston, Denver, and Chicago.  However, there is a fairly extensive list of local competitions during the next two weeks.

Grab some beer, grab a stein, and get practicing.

Prost!

Note: Samuel Adams provided me with this kick ass stein.  Although it's really nice, I could just as easily drink Octoberfest out of a plastic cup. I like it that much, and always have.