Our winners were RetroBrewz and TPA Bier Lass be sure to give them some love!

See all the submissions below!

What will you win?

The winner will be chosen at the end of the month based on the number of entries provided and the best looking picture. The prize will be determined later in the month, however you can expect some cool merch, possible new custom glass or even a game.

How to Enter The Contest

In order to enter the contest be sure to tag us on Twitter/Instagram by using #DBPG and #NOIPAMAY showcasing your non-IPA beer (extra points for including a video game too). We will be featuring our favorite photos on our site and social media throughout the month of May. Every different picture counts as a new submission, so get drinking and get sharing. At the end of the month we will select a winner who will get a special giveaway. I can’t wait to try some different beer styles with you all!

See some great examples from the previous years: Check out all pictures from 2021, 2022

What beer styles should you try during the month of May?

The obvious answer is, drink whatever style you like the most, but I have broken down a few styles that are staples for the spring time and reflect a lighter and more outdoorish (not a word) mood. There are plenty of other styles as well so don’t limit yourself to just this list. The descriptions were pulled from Craftbeer.com

Helles

A beer for beer lovers, the German-style helles is a malt accented lager beer that balances a pleasant malt sweetness and body with floral Noble hops and restrained bitterness. The helles is a masterclass in restraint, subtly and drinkability which makes it an enduring style for true beer lovers and an elusive style for craft brewers to recreate. The German helles reminds beer lovers that the simple things in life are usually the most rewarding and worth pursuing.

Some examples: Hofbräu Original, Hell Lager (Surly Brewing Company), Victory Helles Lager

Kölsch

Crisp, delicate and oh-so-drinkable, the German-style Kolsch is a beer hybrid, meaning that its production and subsequent beer drinking experience saddles qualities of both lager beers and ale beers. These light and refreshing ale-lager hybrids are perfect for warm summer days and have become a favored style by American craft brewers and beer lovers alike. In addition to their thirst quenching ability, they also are a fun beer to enjoy with food, including traditional German sausages and kraut.

Some examples: Ballast Point California Kölsch, Sierra Nevada Kölsch, Leinenkugel Canoe Paddler

Cream Ale

The American cream ale is a mild, pale, light-bodied ale, made using a warm fermentation (top or bottom fermenting yeast) and cold lagering. Despite being called an ale, when being judged in competitions it is acceptable for brewers to use lager yeast.

Some examples: Public House Cream Ale, Neshaminy Creek Cream Ale, Naked Brewing Cream Ale

Pilsner

The Bohemian pilsener has a slightly sweet and evident malt character and a toasted, biscuit-like, bready malt character. Hop bitterness is perceived as medium with a low to medium-low level of noble-type hop aroma and flavor. This style originated in 1842, with “pilsener” originally indicating an appellation in the Czech Republic. Classic examples of this style used to be conditioned in wooden tanks and had a less sharp hop bitterness despite the similar IBU ranges to German-style pilsner.

Some examples: Pilsner Urquell, Lagunitas PILS, Dogfish Head Piercing Pils

Gose

Straw to medium amber, the contemporary Gose is cloudy from suspended yeast. A wide variety of herbal, spice, floral or fruity aromas other than found in traditional Leipzig-Style Gose are present, in harmony with other aromas. Salt (table salt) character is traditional in low amounts, but may be perceptible in varying intensities. Body is low to medium-low.

Some examples: The Kimmie, The Yink & The Holy Gose, Sixpoint Jammer, Evil Twin Brewing Mission Gose

Wheat Beers

American wheat beers are some of the most approachable beers in the craft beer world, and the versatility of wheat beer allows it to be combined with a variety of ingredients or enjoyed on its own alongside a wide variety of food options. The sizable portion of wheat malt used to brew wheat beer lends a lighter, distinctive experience compared to beers brewed with barley exclusively.

Some examples: Bell’s Oberon Ale, Harpoon UFO, Sam Adams Summer Ale

Farm House Ales/Siasons

Beers in this category are gold to light amber in color. Often bottle-conditioned, with some yeast character and high carbonation. Belgian-style saison may have Brettanomyces or lactic character, and fruity, horsey, goaty and/or leather-like aromas and flavors. Specialty ingredients, including spices, may contribute a unique and signature character. Commonly called “farmhouse ales” and originating as summertime beers in Belgium, these are not just warm-weather treats. U.S. craft brewers brew them year-round and have taken to adding a variety of additional ingredients.

Some examples: Ommegang Hennepin, Boulevard Tank 7, Hill Farmstead Arthur

Bocks

Traditional bock beers are all-malt brews and are high in malt sweetness. Malt character should be a balance of sweetness and toasted or nut-like malt. “Bock” translates as “goat”!

Some examples: Yuengling Bock, Gunther’s Bock, Tröegs Troegenator

Sours

The acidity present in sour beer is usually in the form of lactic, acetic and other organic acids naturally developed with acidified malt in the mash, or produced during fermentation by the use of various microorganisms. These beers may derive their sour flavor from pure cultured forms of souring agents or from the influence of barrel aging.

Some examples: Victory Sour Monkey, Rogue Just a Pinch, Avery Apricot

We can’t wait to see all your beers, Cheers!

Comment below on who your favorite submission is.

I recently finished reviewing all 15 Oktoberfest beers that I was able to find around me, you can read that article here. While I did enjoy that challenge I am truly looking forward to reviewing all of the following beers. My goal will be to keep this as a sticky post which will be updated every year that way I can track the best Pumpkin Beer. Please be sure to comment on any beers I may have missed, which will be alot at first, and let me know your thoughts on these spicy brews.

• Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale: (4.2/5)
• New Belgium Atomic Pumpkin: (2.9/5)
• Sam Adams Jack O Pumpkin: (NA/5)
• New Holland Ichabod: (NA/5)
• Free Will Brewing Pumpkin Pie Mash
• Free Will Scarecrow
• Heavy Seas The Great’er Pumpkin
• Shipyard Pumpkin Head
• Elliotville Pumpkinville Latte
• Southern Tier Pumking
• Erie Brewing Johnny Rails
• Evolution Craft Brewing Jacques Au Lantern
• Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale
• Saucony Creek Maple Mistress
• Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela
• Dogfish Pumkin
• Devils Backbone Munchen Pumpkin
• Flying Dog The Fear
• Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
• Neshaminy Creek Dunkless Dunkel
• Conshohocken Nightmare on East Elm
• Southern Tier Pumpking Nitro
• Southern Tier Warlock
• Two Roads Roads Mary Baby
• UFO Journey to Planet Pumpkin
• Evil Genius Trick or Treat
• Blue Point Brewing Company Mother Pumpkin Ale

Quick history lesson time. Celebrated every year, minus the past two due to COVID, in Munich Germany the first festival was established as a celebration of the marriage between the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The festivities lasted five days and included a horse race called Theresienwiese. This festival would be repeated every year which would include an agricultural fair and eventually temporary beer halls. Fast forward to modern times and this festival is celebrated in Europe and the US alike over a 15-16 day period, usually beginning in mid September. It is commonly reported that at every event over 2 million gallons of beer is consumed…this makes us proud.

Now lets talk about the beer itself. The Oktoberfest style is actually made up of various styles that are served during the festival. The dominant and most popular style associated with Oktoberfest is the Märzen. Interestingly enough Märzen translates to March beer which is now usually only served in September. To add to the confusion you may also see Dunkel’s, as well as other German lagers being labeled as Oktoberfest too. Either way you should be expecting a beer rich in malt with a caramel or biscuit flavored finish. Usually these beers go from 5.1% to 6% ABV. A great and easy drinking lager that is perfect for Fall weather and some warm Bavarian pretzels.

Now for this “contest” and I use that term lightly I will be comparing and ranking every Oktoberfest beer I can get my hands on. I have a solid list below, which will be updated with each review, but if I find anymore over the next few weeks I will gladly add more entries.

Be sure to follow along and comment on your favorite Oktoberfest, Prost!

Oktoberfest Beers to be ranked

• Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest: Score (4/5)
• Victory Brewing Festbier: Score (4/5)
• Founders Oktoberfest German-Style Marzen: Score (3.9/5)
• Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen: Score (3.8/5)
• Spaten Oktoberfest: Score (3.8/5)
• Neshaminy Creek Creekfestbier: Score (3.8/5)
• Warsteiner Oktoberfest Marzen: Score (3.8/5)
• Tröegs Oktoberfest: Score (3.7/5)
• Yards Unter Dog Oktoberfest: Score (3.7/5)
• Great Lakes Oktoberfest: Score (3.6/5)
• Two Roads Ok2berfest: Score (3.5/5)
• Sam Adams Oktoberfest: Score (3.5/5)
• Firestone Oaktoberfest: Score (3.5/5)
• Shiner Märzen-Style Oktoberfest: Score (3.5/5)
• Devils Backbone O’fest Lager: Score (3.4/5)
• Flying Dog Brewing Dogtoberfest Marzen: Score (3.4/5)
• Weihenstephaner Festbier: Score (3.3/5)
• Yuengling Oktoberfest: Score (3.3/5)
• Leinenkugel Oktoberfest: Score (3.3/5)
• Sam Adams Festbier: Score (3.3/5)
• Flying Fish Oktoberfish: Score (3.3/5)
• Funk Brewing Funktoberfest: Score (3.2/5)
• Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier: Score (3.2/5)
• Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest Amber Marzen: Score (3.2/5)
• Goose Island Marzen: Score (3.1/5)

Submit your Tier List in the comments!

https://tiermaker.com/create/best-oktoberfest-beer-962416 (Retired)

So who won #NoIPAMay?

We had a ton of great submissions so we decided to chose to winners for this month.

The first MVP goes to PeekaBoozie on IG for her numerous submissions and dedication to trying out new beers. Huge shoutout to her and we are glad that she has won one of our shirts!

The second MVP goes to our buddy Alex P who sent in numerous beer and gaming pictures that really celebrate the spirit of this page. As a true gamer we are happy to send him the code for RetroMania, enjoy bud!

Thank you to everyone who joined in!

Once again thank you to everyone who joined in our contest, it was a ton of fun and we will likely do another one next year. Stay tuned because we will also be running other contests in the future. Cheers!

What will you win?

The winner will be chosen at the end of the month based on the number of entries provided and the best looking picture. The prize includes;

• 1 of our new shirts (Click Here)
• Digital Copy of RetroMania for Xbox
• Our undying love

How to Enter The Contest

In order to enter the contest be sure to tag us on Twitter/Instagram by using #DBPG and #NOIPAMAY showcasing your non-IPA beer (extra points for including a video game too). We will be featuring our favorite photos on our site and social media throughout the month of May. Every different picture counts as a new submission, so get drinking and get sharing. At the end of the month we will select a winner who will get a special giveaway. I can’t wait to try some different beer styles with you all!

What beer styles should you try during the month of May?

The obvious answer is, drink whatever style you like the most, but I have broken down a few styles that are staples for the spring time and reflect a lighter and more outdoorish (not a word) mood. There are plenty of other styles as well so don’t limit yourself to just this list. The descriptions were pulled from Craftbeer.com

Helles

A beer for beer lovers, the German-style helles is a malt accented lager beer that balances a pleasant malt sweetness and body with floral Noble hops and restrained bitterness. The helles is a masterclass in restraint, subtly and drinkability which makes it an enduring style for true beer lovers and an elusive style for craft brewers to recreate. The German helles reminds beer lovers that the simple things in life are usually the most rewarding and worth pursuing.

Some examples: Hofbräu Original, Hell Lager (Surly Brewing Company), Victory Helles Lager

Kölsch

Crisp, delicate and oh-so-drinkable, the German-style Kolsch is a beer hybrid, meaning that its production and subsequent beer drinking experience saddles qualities of both lager beers and ale beers. These light and refreshing ale-lager hybrids are perfect for warm summer days and have become a favored style by American craft brewers and beer lovers alike. In addition to their thirst quenching ability, they also are a fun beer to enjoy with food, including traditional German sausages and kraut.

Some examples: Ballast Point California Kölsch, Sierra Nevada Kölsch, Leinenkugel Canoe Paddler

Cream Ale

The American cream ale is a mild, pale, light-bodied ale, made using a warm fermentation (top or bottom fermenting yeast) and cold lagering. Despite being called an ale, when being judged in competitions it is acceptable for brewers to use lager yeast.

Some examples: Public House Cream Ale, Neshaminy Creek Cream Ale, Naked Brewing Cream Ale

Pilsner

The Bohemian pilsener has a slightly sweet and evident malt character and a toasted, biscuit-like, bready malt character. Hop bitterness is perceived as medium with a low to medium-low level of noble-type hop aroma and flavor. This style originated in 1842, with “pilsener” originally indicating an appellation in the Czech Republic. Classic examples of this style used to be conditioned in wooden tanks and had a less sharp hop bitterness despite the similar IBU ranges to German-style pilsner.

Some examples: Pilsner Urquell, Lagunitas PILS, Dogfish Head Piercing Pils

Gose

Straw to medium amber, the contemporary Gose is cloudy from suspended yeast. A wide variety of herbal, spice, floral or fruity aromas other than found in traditional Leipzig-Style Gose are present, in harmony with other aromas. Salt (table salt) character is traditional in low amounts, but may be perceptible in varying intensities. Body is low to medium-low.

Some examples: The Kimmie, The Yink & The Holy Gose, Sixpoint Jammer, Evil Twin Brewing Mission Gose

Wheat Beers

American wheat beers are some of the most approachable beers in the craft beer world, and the versatility of wheat beer allows it to be combined with a variety of ingredients or enjoyed on its own alongside a wide variety of food options. The sizable portion of wheat malt used to brew wheat beer lends a lighter, distinctive experience compared to beers brewed with barley exclusively.

Some examples: Bell’s Oberon Ale, Harpoon UFO, Sam Adams Summer Ale

Farm House Ales/Siasons

Beers in this category are gold to light amber in color. Often bottle-conditioned, with some yeast character and high carbonation. Belgian-style saison may have Brettanomyces or lactic character, and fruity, horsey, goaty and/or leather-like aromas and flavors. Specialty ingredients, including spices, may contribute a unique and signature character. Commonly called “farmhouse ales” and originating as summertime beers in Belgium, these are not just warm-weather treats. U.S. craft brewers brew them year-round and have taken to adding a variety of additional ingredients.

Some examples: Ommegang Hennepin, Boulevard Tank 7, Hill Farmstead Arthur

Bocks

Traditional bock beers are all-malt brews and are high in malt sweetness. Malt character should be a balance of sweetness and toasted or nut-like malt. “Bock” translates as “goat”!

Some examples: Yuengling Bock, Gunther’s Bock, Tröegs Troegenator

Sours

The acidity present in sour beer is usually in the form of lactic, acetic and other organic acids naturally developed with acidified malt in the mash, or produced during fermentation by the use of various microorganisms. These beers may derive their sour flavor from pure cultured forms of souring agents or from the influence of barrel aging.

Some examples: Victory Sour Monkey, Rogue Just a Pinch, Avery Apricot

We can’t wait to see all your beers, Cheers!