Oktoberfest - Ale
Upstream Brewing Company - Old Market

Found only at the Upstream in the Old Market. Upstream – Legacy only serves the Oktoberfest – Lager. Confusing?

Clear, bronze in hue with healthy influences of amber and copper. There was no noticeable animation. The head was white and one finger in height at the peak. Head retention was fair; it faded quickly to a bubbly cap. Subsequent lacing was rampant, webby and organized. It is off to a good start. The nose is clean enough, only traces of toasty but sweet maltiness are found. There really isn’t much of an aroma aside from the afore mentioned and these smells only become pronounced at near room temperature. Overall the bouquet is typical for the style, albeit the yeast is not lager clean but “house yeast ale” clean, inviting but nothing special. Malty palate, sweet, even a bit grainy, there is a suggestion of husk. Dry finish. Yet throughout it is richly sweet. Light toastiness with a hint of brown sugar. Ale yeast is used in this “O-fest,” kind of noticeable but not off-putting in anyway. Medium in body, natural but firm carbonation, the mouthfeel is pleasant and hearty enough. It is drinkable and likable but just a tad too sweet for me. Still it is a good “O-Fest” (I guess, in reality it is an Altbier or German Amber Ale); the bartender said the abv was in the 7% range, so it is not really a session beer (not a negative). All in all, I wasn’t blown away but I enjoyed my pint. It is worth a quaff.