Goldfinger Brewing To Unveil New Lager With Oktoberfest Events

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Goldfinger Brewing Company's owner and brewer Tom Beckmann perfected his beer-brewing in Munich, so he thought it was only fitting that the local lager house celebrate Oktoberfest in true German style. The brewery will unveil its new Oktoberfest Marzen and ring in the holiday with live music, German eats and a stein-holding contest Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.

Beckmann told Patch Goldfinger will have a total of five outdoor tents for the event, which will feature grilled brats from Skuddlebutt's, German potato salad and German chocolate cake all set to the tune of live German music.

To encourage social distancing, the events will require visitors to buy tickets in advance for a three-hour time block.

A ticket to the Oktoberfest event gets you the following:

• 1-Liter German-made Goldfinger stein filled with Oktoberfest Marzen
• Bratwurst
• German potato salad
• German chocolate cake

Beckmann told Patch the Oktoberfest Marzen will be ceremonially tapped at the Sept. 26 event. The beer will be off tap until the Oct. 3 event and will be available to the public as of Oct. 4...if it doesn't sell out at the events.

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According to Beckmann, the Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen was brewed in the traditional German style and has been conditioning for five months, just waiting for Oktoberfest. Beckmann explained that the Marzen was brewed using a double decoction method, which means a portion of the mash was boiled during the brewing process to bring out additional flavors.

Beckmann said Goldfinger's Oktoberfest Marzen, which is 6.1 percent ABV, "tastes very light, but has a nice, complex malt character to it.”

It "finishes nice and dry," Beckmann added.

The Oktoberfest festivities also include a stein-holding contest for each three-hour time block. The winner of each time block will receive a Goldfinger Brewing hat. The overall winner will get a hat and a private tour and tasting at the brewery, in addition to bragging rights, of course.

Lederhosen and other traditional German garb is encouraged!

Click the link to learn more and reserve your spot for Goldfinger Brewing's Oktoberfest.