Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Oktoberfest Tasting October 7-9 2011

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 6, 2011

  The Oktoberfest Tasting runs from October 7th - October 9th. Please post your reviews below. Feel free to drink whatever you have on hand or can find locally. Any Oktoberfest or Marzen style brew may be tasted. Some choices might include; Ayinger Oktoberfest, HofBrau Oktoberfestbier, Beck’s Oktoberfest, Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest, Flying Fish Oktoberfish, Stoudt’s Oktoberfest, Lefthand Marzen Oktoberfest, Magic Hat Hex Ourtoberfest, Spaten Oktoberfestbier, Weyerbacher Autumn Fest, Heavy Seas Marzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Sierra Nevada Tumbler & Southern Tier Harvest Ale.

  The Oktoberfest Tasting runs from October 7th - October 9th. Please post your reviews below. Feel free to drink whatever you have on hand or can find locally. Any Oktoberfest or Marzen style brew may be tasted. Some choices might include; Ayinger Oktoberfest, HofBrau Oktoberfestbier, Beck’s Oktoberfest, Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest, Flying Fish Oktoberfish, Stoudt’s Oktoberfest, Lefthand Marzen Oktoberfest, Magic Hat Hex Ourtoberfest, Spaten Oktoberfestbier, Weyerbacher Autumn Fest, Heavy Seas Marzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Sierra Nevada Tumbler & Southern Tier Harvest Ale.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 8, 2011

  Left Hand Oktoberfest
  Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, CO
  6.60% ABV 24 IBU
  
  The Oktoberfest from Left Hand Brewing is made with Munich and Pilsner Malt as well as German Magnum and Spalter Select hops. The brew pours out orangish in color with some copper hues topped by a frothy head that hangs around. Biscuit and cracker on the nose with a touch of sweetness and a little herbacious hops. In the mouth bready, but sweetish bread, some caramel and a rolling hoppiness that is more spicy than bitter. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Spotty lacing. Crisp mouthfeel. The finish lingers and is mostly sweet with a small amount of hoppy bitterness.

  Left Hand Oktoberfest Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, CO 6.60% ABV 24 IBU The Oktoberfest from Left Hand Brewing is made with Munich and Pilsner Malt as well as German Magnum and Spalter Select hops. The brew pours out orangish in color with some copper hues topped by a frothy head that hangs around. Biscuit and cracker on the nose with a touch of sweetness and a little herbacious hops. In the mouth bready, but sweetish bread, some caramel and a rolling hoppiness that is more spicy than bitter. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Spotty lacing. Crisp mouthfeel. The finish lingers and is mostly sweet with a small amount of hoppy bitterness.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 9, 2011

  Boulevard Bob's 47 Oktoberfest
  Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, MO
  5.80% ABV 27 IBU
  
  The Bob's 47 Oktoberfest is a tribute brew to Boulevard's friend Bob Werkowitch, master brewer and graduate of the US Brewers' Academy in 1947. The brew pours out light copper in color and is clear with a two finger, off white head that is a mish mash of bubble sizes. The head dissipates to about half a finger in height. Sweet malts on the nose, biscuit with some herb and spice. Moderate sweetness in the mouth with warm spices and just a little nuttiness. Slightly elevated carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Spotty lacing. Rather long finish that is filled with sticky sweet malts that slowly disappear and become clean right at the end. I preferred this over the Left Hand above.

  Boulevard Bob's 47 Oktoberfest Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, MO 5.80% ABV 27 IBU The Bob's 47 Oktoberfest is a tribute brew to Boulevard's friend Bob Werkowitch, master brewer and graduate of the US Brewers' Academy in 1947. The brew pours out light copper in color and is clear with a two finger, off white head that is a mish mash of bubble sizes. The head dissipates to about half a finger in height. Sweet malts on the nose, biscuit with some herb and spice. Moderate sweetness in the mouth with warm spices and just a little nuttiness. Slightly elevated carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Spotty lacing. Rather long finish that is filled with sticky sweet malts that slowly disappear and become clean right at the end. I preferred this over the Left Hand above.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  October 10, 2011

  OK, sorry I am a day late but I have been busy with work (Thank God). I drank six different Oktoberfest's and will get them all up eventually. But here is the first for now.
  
  Warsteiner Oktoberfest
  Warsteiner Brauerei
  
  Märzen (ABV 5%)
  
  [Best served in a Lager glass]
  
  Rating; 2.9/5.0
  
  Aroma: 6/10
  Appearance: 3/5
  Taste: 6/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 11/20
  
  The pour was a medium crystal clear amber/orange with an average sized (1-2 finger) rocky head that dissipated quickly and had poor lacing.
  
  The aroma was kind of sweet with a strong grain malt, a mild floral hop and a sweet moldy scented yeast that had a very mild hint of caramel.
  
  The taste was malty sweet and mildly acidic in the beginning and finished slightly bitter with a sweet caramel malt flavor and had a mild alcohol tinge at the end, The flavor stuck around for a decent amount of time after the swallow allowing for further enjoyment of the malty sweetness.
  
  Mouthfeel was light in body and mildly dry in texture with a prickly carbonation.
  
  Overall a brew that somewhat is in alignment with the style, although it was a little light in flavor for a typical Märzen.
  

  OK, sorry I am a day late but I have been busy with work (Thank God). I drank six different Oktoberfest's and will get them all up eventually. But here is the first for now. Warsteiner Oktoberfest Warsteiner Brauerei Märzen (ABV 5%) [Best served in a Lager glass] Rating; 2.9/5.0 Aroma: 6/10 Appearance: 3/5 Taste: 6/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 11/20 The pour was a medium crystal clear amber/orange with an average sized (1-2 finger) rocky head that dissipated quickly and had poor lacing. The aroma was kind of sweet with a strong grain malt, a mild floral hop and a sweet moldy scented yeast that had a very mild hint of caramel. The taste was malty sweet and mildly acidic in the beginning and finished slightly bitter with a sweet caramel malt flavor and had a mild alcohol tinge at the end, The flavor stuck around for a decent amount of time after the swallow allowing for further enjoyment of the malty sweetness. Mouthfeel was light in body and mildly dry in texture with a prickly carbonation. Overall a brew that somewhat is in alignment with the style, although it was a little light in flavor for a typical Märzen.
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  October 10, 2011

  Munsterfest
  Three Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, IN
  6.0% ABV, 30 IBU
  
  So nice to see Three Floyds beers back in Ohio after a lengthy absence!
  
  Traditional-style Oktoberfest (I wish the Germans still favored it!) pours a bright orange-amber hue with some chill haze. Short-lived pale beige head falls to a thin layer. Big Vienna malt aroma - caramel and toasted grain - is spot-on.
  
  Luscious, fresh grainy malt character is pure joy. Medium body with a smooth mouth-feel and fine carbonation. Dryish caramel and toasted grain notes up front, joined by a gentle bitterness which grows into the finish. Very clean lager profile; no off-flavors or yeast notes evident.
  
  Nice pattern of foam lacing remains on the glass. A thoroughly satisfying version of the style.

  Munsterfest Three Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, IN 6.0% ABV, 30 IBU So nice to see Three Floyds beers back in Ohio after a lengthy absence! Traditional-style Oktoberfest (I wish the Germans still favored it!) pours a bright orange-amber hue with some chill haze. Short-lived pale beige head falls to a thin layer. Big Vienna malt aroma - caramel and toasted grain - is spot-on. Luscious, fresh grainy malt character is pure joy. Medium body with a smooth mouth-feel and fine carbonation. Dryish caramel and toasted grain notes up front, joined by a gentle bitterness which grows into the finish. Very clean lager profile; no off-flavors or yeast notes evident. Nice pattern of foam lacing remains on the glass. A thoroughly satisfying version of the style.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 10, 2011

  No Three Floyds here which is a bad thing, me thinks!

  No Three Floyds here which is a bad thing, me thinks!
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  October 11, 2011

  Here is #2, I started with the weaker of the Oktoberfest's I have tasted. I promise they get better. I will post more as I find the time.
  
  Red Brick "Oktobeerfest"
  Atlanta Brewing Co.
  
  Märzen (ABV 5.2%)
  
  [Best served in a Lager glass]
  
  Rating: 2.6/5.0
  
  Aroma: 5/10
  Appearance: 3/5
  Taste: 6/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 9/20
  
  The pour was a hazy amber/orange with a huge (3-4 finger) light beige frothy head that lasted throughout and had excellent lacing which clung to the glass.
  
  The aroma was very light of toasted bread malts, a grassy hop and a mild sweet doughy yeast with a hint of caramel and possibly some dark fruit.
  
  It tasted lightly sweet and a tad bitter in the beginning and finished a tiny bit on the sour side with a sweet caramel malt flavor that was ever so slightly bitter at the end. The flavor only lasted a short while after the swallow.
  
  Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and dry in texture with a fizzy carbonation.
  
  Overall a very mild Oktoberfest, but it was nice and satisfying and quite drinkable.

  Here is #2, I started with the weaker of the Oktoberfest's I have tasted. I promise they get better. I will post more as I find the time. Red Brick "Oktobeerfest" Atlanta Brewing Co. Märzen (ABV 5.2%) [Best served in a Lager glass] Rating: 2.6/5.0 Aroma: 5/10 Appearance: 3/5 Taste: 6/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 9/20 The pour was a hazy amber/orange with a huge (3-4 finger) light beige frothy head that lasted throughout and had excellent lacing which clung to the glass. The aroma was very light of toasted bread malts, a grassy hop and a mild sweet doughy yeast with a hint of caramel and possibly some dark fruit. It tasted lightly sweet and a tad bitter in the beginning and finished a tiny bit on the sour side with a sweet caramel malt flavor that was ever so slightly bitter at the end. The flavor only lasted a short while after the swallow. Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and dry in texture with a fizzy carbonation. Overall a very mild Oktoberfest, but it was nice and satisfying and quite drinkable.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  October 12, 2011

  All righty then, Here is # 3 and I enjoyed this very much. If you get a chance to try some Flying Fish brews do yourself a favor and do so.
  
  Flying Fish "OktoberFish"Flying Fish Brewing Co.
  
  Märzen (ABV 5.5%)
  
  [Best served in a Lager glass]
  
  Rating: 3.4/5.0
  
  Aroma: 7/10
  Appearance: 3/5
  Taste: 8/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 13/20
  
  The pour was a hazy brown with an orange hue and had an average sized (1-2 finger) off white rocky head that was mostly diminishing leaving behind a nice amount of residue allowing for some good lacing.
  
  The aroma off the bat was of a piney hop with a toasted biscuit malt and a horse blanket scented yeast and also had a nice hint of caramel.
  
  It tasted moderately sweet and malty at first then progressed into a sweet hopped up malty flavor with a nice note of caramel at the end that left the flavor lasting a nice long time after the swallow.
  
  Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and slightly watery in texture with a soft carbonation.
  
  Overall a very flavorful brew and a nice interpretation of the style.
  
  
  

  All righty then, Here is # 3 and I enjoyed this very much. If you get a chance to try some Flying Fish brews do yourself a favor and do so. Flying Fish "OktoberFish"Flying Fish Brewing Co. Märzen (ABV 5.5%) [Best served in a Lager glass] Rating: 3.4/5.0 Aroma: 7/10 Appearance: 3/5 Taste: 8/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 13/20 The pour was a hazy brown with an orange hue and had an average sized (1-2 finger) off white rocky head that was mostly diminishing leaving behind a nice amount of residue allowing for some good lacing. The aroma off the bat was of a piney hop with a toasted biscuit malt and a horse blanket scented yeast and also had a nice hint of caramel. It tasted moderately sweet and malty at first then progressed into a sweet hopped up malty flavor with a nice note of caramel at the end that left the flavor lasting a nice long time after the swallow. Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and slightly watery in texture with a soft carbonation. Overall a very flavorful brew and a nice interpretation of the style.
• Deleted Member

  
   

  October 12, 2011

  Leinenkugels Oktoberfest
  Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Chippewa Falls, WI
  
  5.1% ABV – Seasonal
  
  COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
  A traditional Marzen brewed with 2-Row Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts. The malts give it a hearty character and deep amber color. Tettnanger and Perle hops provide a well-balanced, drinkable finish prefect for Fall celebrations.
  
  
  Appearance is copper with thin head, medium-light body, and high carbonation. A decent head that left some lacing as it went down. To the point…the taste to me wasn’t as good as a few other Oktoberfest I have had recently. I am a HUGE fan of Leinenkugels, but I feel they missed out on this brew. It’s a decent brew, and easily drinkable, but not one that I would call "traditional." Sorry guys and gals at Leinies!!
  

  Leinenkugels Oktoberfest Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Chippewa Falls, WI 5.1% ABV – Seasonal COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION A traditional Marzen brewed with 2-Row Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts. The malts give it a hearty character and deep amber color. Tettnanger and Perle hops provide a well-balanced, drinkable finish prefect for Fall celebrations. Appearance is copper with thin head, medium-light body, and high carbonation. A decent head that left some lacing as it went down. To the point…the taste to me wasn’t as good as a few other Oktoberfest I have had recently. I am a HUGE fan of Leinenkugels, but I feel they missed out on this brew. It’s a decent brew, and easily drinkable, but not one that I would call "traditional." Sorry guys and gals at Leinies!!
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  October 12, 2011

  #4. One of my personal favorites.
  
  Hacker Pschorr "Original Oktoberfest"
  Hacker-Pschorr Bräu
  
  Märzen (ABV 5.8%)
  
  [Best served in a Lager glass]
  
  Rating: 3.4/5.0
  
  Aroma: 7/10
  Appearance: 3/5
  Taste: 7/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 14/20
  
  The pour was a sparkling clear reddish brown with an average sized (1-2 finger) off white fizzy head that was mostly diminishing and had fair lacing which somewhat stuck to the glass.
  
  The aroma was of a toasted bread malt, a mild grassy hop and a earthy yeast with a hint of caramel.
  
  The taste was moderately sweet with a light hint of caramel in the beginning and finished with a nice malty sweet flavor that had a mild hoppiness to it at the end. The flavor stayed with you for a decent amount of time allowing for the taste buds to fully enjoy all this brew has to offer.
  
  Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and dry yet just a little oily in texture with a nice soft carbonation.
  
  Overall the maltiness and mild sweetness of this brew works so wonderfully together. No wonder they call it the original. This just so happens to be the first Oktoberfest I ever tasted many years ago and in my opinion still is one of the best.

  #4. One of my personal favorites. Hacker Pschorr "Original Oktoberfest" Hacker-Pschorr Bräu Märzen (ABV 5.8%) [Best served in a Lager glass] Rating: 3.4/5.0 Aroma: 7/10 Appearance: 3/5 Taste: 7/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 14/20 The pour was a sparkling clear reddish brown with an average sized (1-2 finger) off white fizzy head that was mostly diminishing and had fair lacing which somewhat stuck to the glass. The aroma was of a toasted bread malt, a mild grassy hop and a earthy yeast with a hint of caramel. The taste was moderately sweet with a light hint of caramel in the beginning and finished with a nice malty sweet flavor that had a mild hoppiness to it at the end. The flavor stayed with you for a decent amount of time allowing for the taste buds to fully enjoy all this brew has to offer. Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and dry yet just a little oily in texture with a nice soft carbonation. Overall the maltiness and mild sweetness of this brew works so wonderfully together. No wonder they call it the original. This just so happens to be the first Oktoberfest I ever tasted many years ago and in my opinion still is one of the best.