Stein Hoisting Time

One of my favorite seasonal beers is Samuel Adams Octoberfest. Part of this is sentimental. Many years ago it was one of the first craft beers I really latched on to during my better beer "conversion." The other part? It's just a great beer.

In fact, there are few marzens, which is the style of Octoberfest, I don't like. Marzen refers to the last month in which beer could be lagered. These beers were cellered all summer and then consumed at the fall harvest. It's a rich malty beer which I never tire of.

Not only does fall mean Octoberfest, it means time again for the Samuel Adams National Stein Hosting Competition. Now, through October 20th, upwards of 10 cities across the US will host events showcasing not only great beer, but incredibly strong arms.

Winners, both one man and one woman, will each win a trip for two to the 2014 Octoberfest in Munich, Germany.

The contest is pretty straight forward. Grab a 1 liter stein, fill it full of Octoberfest, and hold it out in front of you. The last stein standing wins. The current leader board shows times of upwards of 9 minutes. That's a long time to hold a beer and not drink it.  Which also, conveniently enough, is my excuse for not holding my stein very long.

Not wanting to celebrate alone, Bryan swung by to help out. While we didn't go full tilt with stein hoisting, we did go full tilt in enjoying our beers.

Samuel Adams Octoberfest is available nationwide and in my beer fridge, in bottles and the new Sam Can.  Get it while it lasts.

Note: Samuel Adams provided me with even more Octoberfest than I already had.  They did not provide the strength to hoist the stein.  Then again, neither did I.  Also, the pictures where you see a lot of "man hands" were taken by Zoë.  I'm flexible, but not that flexible.