Hi-Wire Blonde Doppelbock

Review Date 1/21/2022  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Maibock   Brewery: Hi-Wire   Country: USA   State: North Carolina   $ Per OZ: $.19 (B)   ABV: 8%

Have you ever stumbled on a great brewery? Like, literally? I sure have. One such memorable occasion was in Asheville, North Carolina. I had just enjoyed a visit to the legendary Wicked Weed brewery downtown, and was headed up Hilliard Avenue on my way to Wedge Brewing (I never made it there), I saw Hi-Wire across the street. So, I popped in for a few beers.

Last year, Hi-Wire returned the favor and popped into Georgia, bringing beer of course. I hadn’t really seen their beers here in North Georgia, however, until this week. One of the beers I spied was Hi-Wire Zirkusfest Oktoberfest Lager. I snapped up a sixer of this classic Marzen-style Oktoberfest and brought it home; I’m drinking my first bottle and here to tell about it.

From the website:

This traditional Märzen boasts all the flavors one wants in a rich Oktoberfest lager without the heavy finish. The use of Munich malt provides upfront biscuity and honey flavors that fade into a dry finish.

Hmmmm. Not sure what a heavy finish is in an Oktoberfest beer, but OK.

Ingredients, also from the website:

HOPS: Hallertau Tradition 

YEAST: German Lager

Wait what? What about the malt? They don’t say! They do say this:

They do say this:

Mild upfront sweetness due to the Munich Malt; the grain bill is what shines in this beer. Little to no perceived hop character.

Hmmm, I figured Munich malt, and I would guess pilsner. Maybe some caramunich. I will e-mail them and get back to you.

Hi-Wire Zirkusfest has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 25 IBUs. I paid $9.49 for a six-pack at Target. This is a seasonal available August to October and won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016.

Hi-Wire Zirkusfest pours to a deep copper color with a thick creamy head and a hint of caramel and toasted nuts in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a beautiful depth of malt, with light caramel, dried nuts and toasty biscuity malt. There are indeed subtle honey like notes and a balanced herbal hop bitterness in the finish. Very impressive indeed!

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??