Octoberfest Beer
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

Octoberfest BeerOctoberfest Beer
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From:
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Märzen
Ranked #277
ABV:
5.3%
Score:
83
Ranked #24,005
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 11.72%
Reviews:
525
Ratings:
1,291
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 02, 2023
Added:
Oct 02, 2001
Wants:
  32
Gots:
  222
The character and complexity of Harpoon Octoberfest comes from the malt and hops. When looking at a freshly poured Harpoon Octoberfest, you will notice the garnet-red color with a firm, creamy head. The beer’s color is from a blend of Munich, chocolate, and pale malt. The thick head results in part from wheat malt added to the grist. The hop aroma of this beer is not overpowering but it is present. Tettnang hops add a subtle spice nose that blends with the malt character. This beer is full-bodied, smooth, and malty. Willamettehops are used to provide a gentle bitterness and to balance any residual sweetness present from the malt. The finish is soft and malty with a mild bitterness.

30 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.75 by ANIMOUL from Vermont

Nov 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Noelito76 from New York

Oct 15, 2023
Photo of Beech105
Reviewed by Beech105 from Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I really enjoyed this beer. Purchased at Harpoon Brewery while visiting Boston. Beautiful copper color, great smell, very full taste. Great Marzen Oktoberfest Bier, I still prefer a Festbier instead of a Nareen though.
Sep 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.79 by Taenim from Maine

Aug 27, 2023
 
Rated: 3.94 by kraut6363 from Pennsylvania

Jan 07, 2023
Photo of jjamadorphd
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida

3.8/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Though there wasn't really much that differentiates this Oktoberfest bier when compared to others I've had, I did enjoy it quiet a bit. Maybe it was because I had it in one of my own monster Oktoberfest mugs? Meh, who knows? At any rate, I found it visually appealing, not very much to sign about to the nose, but it had a malty forward character that was very distinctive to the style...at least to me...
Nov 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.5 by Dalkri from Massachusetts

Nov 04, 2022
 
Rated: 3.51 by Ben1313 from New Hampshire

Oct 16, 2022
Photo of BitteNochEinWeissbier
Reviewed by BitteNochEinWeissbier from Pennsylvania

3.67/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
16 oz can
Glassware: 0.5 L Pokal
Temp at Pour: 54.7 F
ABV: 5.3 %
IBUs: 30

Look:
The color is a clear dark copper with red hues that just might come across as garnet. The head is a creamy light khaki that starts at about 2 finger high and then slowly dissolves to a thin cover. Lacing is good.

Smell:
Sweet lightly toasted caramel with some doughy bread. Some notes of earth and spicy hops, especially towards th end. The Classic American Okto aromas.

Taste:
Initial taste is one of toasty and bready malts with a light dash of caramel. This is followed by earthy notes and then spicy ones as well. Some hay can be detected. There is an underlying soft note of dark fruits, almost like Luxardo cherries, but it is not distracting. The sip finishes lightly malty (bready, really) and spicy.

Feel:
Crisp and smooth. The body feels about medium-light. Maybe a shade lighter.

Overall:
A classic and prototypical American Standard Oktoberfest/Märzen. And a decent one at that. I find that the flavors in this beer make me think of a spiced (amber) ale This absolutely would be a good beer for mid to late fall.
Oct 04, 2022
 
Rated: 3.49 by JohnhatesIPAs from New Hampshire

Sep 29, 2022
 
Rated: 3.35 by cold_beer

May 06, 2022
Photo of Specialmick
Reviewed by Specialmick from Connecticut

3.46/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look...Clear copper brown with a caramel looking head and likeness.
Smell...faint caramel smell with a light hoppy citrus and malt
Taste...malty sweetness out the front then a cascade of spices of the marzen variety
Feel...Thin with low carbonation adding to the finish of dryness.
Overall...A classic i always enjoy. I have not had this in a few years and taste very close to what i have enjoyed for decades. Very drinkable and true to the festbier style. Great with food
Nov 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.44 by Pat-George

Nov 01, 2021
 
Rated: 3.83 by donspublic from Texas

Oct 09, 2021
Photo of 1009
Reviewed by 1009 from Massachusetts

3.72/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The Marzen tour continues at the Harpoon Brewery. This was a pleasure to drink. A classic marzen deep brown color with malty aromas. The bready warm goodness warms your soul, typical for most marzens, but where this one differs is it’s sessionable nature. You don’t get that filling feeling and anticipate each sip with an eagerness. Not too sweet too, just a good old fashioned marzen lager with a smooth finish.
Sep 25, 2021
Photo of Sheppard
Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a reddish brown with off white head. Caramel candy aroma. Some light toast as well. It's not the most full bodied. It's a little light weight but has some light roasted coffee notes to go with the crusty bread character. A touch of floral hops as well. This is fine in that it has no outright flaws, but it's lacking in flavor which is not something I want to continue to consume.
Aug 31, 2021
 
Rated: 3.85 by Maltyhead from Massachusetts

Sep 30, 2020
Photo of brother_rebus
Rated by brother_rebus from Maine

3.56/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Not bad. Missing something on the back end.
Sep 27, 2020
 
Rated: 3.82 by SFHbeerME from Maine

Sep 13, 2020
 
Rated: 3.87 by teamgalt from Massachusetts

Sep 06, 2020
Octoberfest Beer from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 1291 ratings