Funk Factory Geuzeria Meerts Conditioned with Honey

Meerts Condidtioned with Honey is a fantastic wild Ale. It is tart with a hint of honey suckle. Unfortunately, the brewer has gone out of business

Brewer's Notes: After three months of fermentation in our 40hL French oak foeders, we conditioned our base Meerts in the bottle with apple blossom honey from Staude’s Apple Blossom Acres in Watertown, WI, which contributes subtle floral and fruity characteristics to the beer.

Here is what the brewer says about the base beer. "Call it lambic’s baby brother. Meerts, meaning March, is the low alcohol "table" or "field" beer traditionally made from the second runnings of lambic’s turbid mash." 

ABV = 4.5%.

Beer Advocate does not have a rating.

Rating = 7 glasses

2 New Oktoberfest beers

On August 13, 2026 I purchased two new Oktoberfest beers at total wine. I figured that they would never be fresher. Initially both were disappointments; but, they grew on me as I went through the 12 packs.

Founders Oktoberfest is a traditional Märzen. 

Here is what BeerAdvocate says:

Blink and you’ll think you’re in Bavaria. We went all in on tradition with our Oktoberfest, using imported German malts and hops with a beautiful lager yeast for the finish. Pours a gorgeous copper hue with a rich, malty and slightly sweet backbone. Our version is akin to the beer poured in the early days of Oktoberfest and, yes, it adheres to the Reinheitsgebot. Prost!

IBUs: 20

The raters at BeerAdvocate rate is as being Very Good. 

Tasting Notes
20260821: Ditto as below.

Rating = 3.5 glasses

20260815: The beer is growing on me. I like it better. Very much a Märzen.

Rating = 3 glasses

20260814: Very malty - I think it resembles a Scotch Ale. I am not sure how much I like the style or beer.

Rating = 2 glasses

This year's Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest is a collaboration with Hoppebräu. Sierra Nevada's decription is:

Each year, we partner with a German brewer to create a traditional Oktoberfest, but this modern Festbier breaks the mold. A collaboration with innovative Bavarian brewer,  Hoppebräu, our 2026 Oktoberfest is lightly dry-hopped for a hint of floral character, balanced by biscuity flavor thanks to Munich malt. But it won’t last long; this seasonal beer will be gone before you can say prost!

The raters at BeerAdvocate rate is as being Very Good.

Tasting Notes
20260815: The one is also growing on me. More festive.

Rating = 2.5 glasses

20260814: It breaks the mold for Oktoberfest. It is more Festbier than Märzen but maltier than a Festbier. It tastes something like a Vienna Lager.  

Rating = 2 glasses

Beers from New Hampshire

I bought some beers in New Hampshire while attending a wedding there.

Fiddlehead IPA is a hazy New Englandish IPA with a mild bitter bite. I am happy to drink it again but will not seek it out. The raters at BeerAdvocate like it better than I; they say that it is outstanding.

Rating = 1.5 glasses

Wormtown Be Hoppy is a pleasant IPA.

Tasting Notes
20260815: The last impressed me. Nicely balanced with a decent hop bite.

Rating = 4 glasses

20260812: The taste combines mild sweetness with gently bitterness from the hops. Easy drinking! The raters at BeerAdvocate rate it as Outstanding.

Rating = 3 glasses

Schilling Erastus is a nice abbey-style tripel. The taste combines citrus, orange rind, and hints of clove and banana. Tasty! The raters at BeerAdvocate rate it as Outstanding.

Rating = 4.5 glasses