Author: Will Ziebell, The Crafty Pint
Original Article published on 24th September 2025
What’s this? Some Oktoberfest beers that are not only not lagers but even have a hop-forward member too? OK, Hawkers Beer’s Forbidden Love Story is a kölsch, so it’s not a million miles from a lager, but it’s good to see something a little different hitting shelves. While it might hail from Cologne rather than Munich, the Hawkers team have stuck firmly to tradition, with this ale in lager’s clothing delivering bready, biscuit and dry cracker notes, plus spice and the softest touch of floral honey.
Socks On The Beach, meanwhile, is a West Coast IPA dry-hopped with Huell Melon, Hallertau Blanc and Mandarina Bavaria. Though they’re all German varieties, they deliver aromatics that lean much more towards the new world, with honeydew, pear, berry and grape joining spice and a firm bitter hit.
