Boston Beer Company – Octoberfest

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Sep 172010
 

There are thoughts in my head of doing a heavy run of reviews in the next week or so.  I have not looked at what exactly they might be yet, but I think next week you will see more than the typical number of evaluations posted.

For today is probably the fall seasonal that many of us are most familiar with.  I have put back many of these over the years, but oddly I have no intention of having it around the house much this year.  It could well find its way into the fridge more often than I expect, though I think seasonals from other breweries will win out to satisfy my curiosity.  My tendency to pass up the known for those I have yet to try usually prevails.

Now to lead into the weekend . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: Octoberfest

Style: Oktoberfest / Märzen

ABV: 5.40%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Full, malty aroma with a slight toasted nose and a hint of sweetness.  Clean overall aroma.

Appearance: Medium amber color with a hint of orange.  One finger, thick, light tan color head with moderate retention and leaving no trail.  Very clear with many rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Toasted malt flavor with some initial sweetness and a slight dryness at finish.  The balance goes to the maltiness (as it should) with no real hop flavors noticed.

Mouthfeel: Medium(ish) body with a pretty high level of carbonation that lends some bite.  Some creaminess on the palate.

Overall Impressions: Clean, crisp, and easy to drink more than one of.  The flavor falls in line with the character of the aroma.  Very nice finish with no lingering and the components work well together.

Grade: B (maybe to B+)

4290109955 542d942102 Boston Beer Company Octoberfest

Boston Beer Company - Octoberfest

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: ,

Warsteiner Brauerei – Oktoberfest

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Aug 312010
 

It is amazing how long ago this review was done, but it did not make much sense to post it during any of the other seasons.  Taking good notes when I do an evaluation does allow me to wait on posting when it makes sense to do so, as it did in this case.

August may even seem early for this one, but since I have started to see fall seasonals released recently and since Oktoberfest actually happens in September, this is probably the appropriate time to get this one out there.  It is still strange for me to see pumpkin beers and such in August, but then again I am in Florida where autumn does not exactly present itself in the same fashion as I remember it growing up.  I will just be glad to get my hands on a pumpkin for my home brewing purposes.

Now, soon to be (if not already) on the shelves . . .

Brewery: Warsteiner Brauerei (Germany)

Name: Oktoberfest

Style: Oktoberfest / Märzen

ABV: 5.90%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $11.99 for a 12-pack

Aroma: Full malty aroma with some sweetness.  Clean and lager-like overall (as it should be).

Appearance: Medium gold color.  Slight, off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly leaving no trail.  Very clear with many tiny rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Light malty sweetness with no real hop flavor and an overall balance to malt.  Slight dryness at the finish with a clean (or non-existent) aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with a medium to high level of carbonation that lends some bite.  Smooth, crisp, and slightly creamy.

Overall Impressions: Slightly high alcohol versus typical range for style (4.8-5.7%).  Not big on flavor, but a very easy drinking and refreshing beer.  Pretty good outdoor (or warmer weather) beer.

Grade: C+ to B-

4060395493 ee604b5867 Warsteiner Brauerei Oktoberfest

Warsteiner Brauerei - Oktoberfest

4060395305 86369373c9 Warsteiner Brauerei Oktoberfest

To gain entry

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Swamp Head Stump Knocker & Great Divide Hoss

 B Notes  No Responses »
Aug 212010
 

If you ever think that you might be at the same event or bar that I am, just look for a guy who is writing notes on a folded sheet of paper (that he pulled from his pocket) in between taking drinks from his glass.  Of course if you happen to catch me taking a photo of the glass before taking a drink or holding it up to the light that would also give me away.  I take notes far more often than I take pictures, but the combination is becoming very much a habit of mine with every beer that I drink for the first time.  I don’t see me letting up on that anytime soon.

Now on to the first of two for today . . .

Brewery: Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, FL)

Name: Stump Knocker

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5.60%

Location: Redlight Redlight – Teege at the bar

Tasting Notes:

  • Coppery amber in color with solid white head that holds well.
  • Grapefruity hops in the aroma with a bit of toasty, caramelly malt in back.
  • Flavor very similar to aroma, though a bit lighter.  Nice grapefruit hop flavor coming after some malty sweetness.
  • Medium body and smooth on the palate.
  • Just enough lingering bitterness at the finish.
  • Easy drinking with nice overall balance.
4911390876 f6f7a1c6c5 Swamp Head Stump Knocker & Great Divide Hoss

Swamp Head Brewery - Stump Knocker

And now the second . . .

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, CO)

Name: Hoss (Rye Lager)

Style: Octoberfest/Märzen (perhaps Specialty Beer because of rye)

ABV: 6.20%

Location: Redlight Redlight – Teege at the bar

Tasting Notes:

  • Kind of a reddish orange color with a thick, cream color head that holds well and leaves a very nice trail.
  • Lightly sweet malty aroma overall with some notes of spice underneath.
  • Pretty clean flavor with some darker caramel maltiness up front and a bit of spiciness in back
  • Really smooth with a good level of carbonation.
  • Nice lager with good malt character that drinks very easily.
4910788065 e25e7de82f Swamp Head Stump Knocker & Great Divide Hoss

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Hoss (Rye Lager)

Cheers!

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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