Oktoberfest (2018)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

The clear medium amber colored beer pours out into a Duvel glass with a 1 1/3” fluffy off white head that recedes slowly to first form a thin cap and then an irregular island of foam on the surface while leaving an irregular pattern of foam and lacing on the sides of the glass. Sipping creates a couple of arches of foam and lots of small patches and slender legs of lacing, several which slide back down to the liquid.

The aromas are mostly about the malt with lots of lightly toasted bready, crackery malt that is nicely backed up by some light herbal and slightly spicy hops.

The flavors are much as expected from the nose with lots of toasted, bready, crackery malt flavor and its sweetness up front and backed up by a bit of spiciness, the herbal hops and just a touch of bitterness.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with persistent moderate carbonation. The medium length finish is fairly complex with the sweetness disappearing first and showcasing the rich toasted malt that then fades to a nice dry lightly spicy, herbal and lightly bitter ending.

Overall this is a really nice version of the Octoberfest which I’m enjoying very much and am now looking forward to having another—soon. I definitely could drink more than one of these in a row and may even dedicate much of my Oktoberfest consumption to this year’s collaboration.

RB transfer

 

(review from August 2018) Excellently well balanced but lighter & less caramely Ofest that's exceptionally clean on the palate but still has just enuf heft to satisfy

This is a Great Tasting German beer that is not too heavy or filling. Very good flavor with a hint of spice and bread/cereal malt base. Hops are mild, the way they should be in a German beer. A friend gave me a bottle to try, and I think I'm going to see if I can find some to buy my own. 20 IBUs Rated 11-17-2018

This is from my notes from before. We always get the Sierra Nevada annual Oktoberfests when they're available since they're always excellent.

Gold, creamy off white head, some lace. Aroma is richly bready with some herb. Taste simiar, nice sweetness an bitterness, balanced, with a full feel. Perhaps more bready and malty than other years' versions.

Bottle from Brewers Haven. Deep, rich golden color, one finger foamy head, fades to nothing. Deep grainy aroma, hints of butterscotch. Taste is full, bready, minor yeast notes, caramel, coupled with a creamy feel. Lingering sweetness at the finish.

 

 

 

 

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours orange red with a tiny white head. Smells of sweet caramelized grain, inviting. Tastes of sweet caramel malt with some vanilla notes. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a good beer.