Oktoberfest party... what to brew??

[Thirsty Mallard]

Alright, I just found out that my fiance and I will be going to a big Oktoberfest party that one of her friend's is hosting. I have been asked to brew 2 five gallon batches of homebrew for the occasion.

Given that I don't have the time to make a Marzen, what do you guys think I should brew and do you have a recipe? The family of the hostess is German (from Germany) so I would like to get them something to enjoy that reminds them of home!

I was thinking of doing a German Alt, so if anyone has a recipe let me know. Other than that, maybe an ESB or JZ's Southern English Brown. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[DannyW]

Weizen is German and quick to make. Is it still hot in TX in October?

If they are N German, a cheater Berliner Weisse can be made in a week.

If you are clever you could partigyle one mash and get both beers in the same day. I did that a couple of years ago and both of them got medals, I think. I'll hunt up the recipes when I get home if you are interested.

[bub]

Hef, Hef, Hef, Hef
3068, 3068, 3068
BUB

[Thirsty Mallard]

You know, I hadn't thought about a Heff (although I would expect Bub to plead its merits).

It will probably still be warm, and Heff is a good crowd pleaser. Sold.

Have any of you done a side by side with extract vs. all-grain heff? Given that I need to make 2 beers, it would be easier for me to make the Alt as all-grain and the Heff as all extract... but if there is a noticeable difference, I may suck it up and go both all-grain.

[bub]

you can make a perfectly good hef with extract... 6-7lbs for 5 gal 1oz hallertau yeast and WYEAST 3068 yeast. I would go with DME for the malt if it were me.
BUB

[awalker]

you can make a perfectly good hef with extract... 6-7lbs for 5 gal 1oz hallertau yeast and WYEAST 3068 yeast. I would go with DME for the malt if it were me.
BUB

Dont you mean WLP400 Bub

[bub]

You know damn well I mean Wyeast 3068 Weinstephan Wheat.
Don't make me fly to the land of bad teeth and whoop some ass... then drink lots of beer.
BUB

[Brew Engineer]

I just made that same Heff extract recipe last month. Easy and delicious. Just like Bub.

My fermentation got a little high, but it's still tasty.

3068