While this may seem early to some, it can’t come soon enough for others. We have been working on this for the past 9 weeks now and it is time to tap in and enjoy the effort put forward. In pursuit of making the best Marzen lager, batch by batch, each is perfected in only a single vessel, not to be racked and forced to package. As our German lager yeast strain metabolizes carbohydrates into alcohol it also creates lots of co2! (Many of you have seen the bubbling buckets at the bottom of tanks on our facility and other breweries.) This year’s Oktoberfest we cap off the tank and allow that pressure to naturally build. While the lager cools and matures this co2 pressure soaks all the gas into the beer naturally carbonating itself so no added gas is used to carbonate. This process produces fine tiny bubbles giving the beer an extra rich creamy blanket of foam that cannot be naturally produced any other way. As the lager finishes, we allow time for the fine lees to settle to the bottom of the tank. This patience provides this crystal clear, delicate lager to package to kegs and cans. With great pride we are pleased to share that shipments to wholesalers have begun! Of course, we make lots and lots of this and will be able to enjoy all this work through the season. Let’s celebrate!! Prost