Oktoberfest (2024)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.


- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Festbier / Wiesnbier
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 88
- Avg:
- 3.91 | pDev: 10.23%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 103
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jan 25, 2026
- Added:
- Jul 20, 2024
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 6
Our authentic Oktoberfest is a collaboration with Brauerei Gutmann, an iconic German brewer that’s been family-owned since 1707. This classic Festbier is smooth and balanced with biscuity malt flavor and a clean finish. Prost!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DentedArthur:
Reviewed by DentedArthur from Vermont
4/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: Pours a clear golden yellow
S: Caramel and toast
T: Sweet biscuit up front, slightly grassy bitter finish
F: Light and crushable
O: Fun beer for good times
Dec 22, 2024S: Caramel and toast
T: Sweet biscuit up front, slightly grassy bitter finish
F: Light and crushable
O: Fun beer for good times
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by blueshawk69 from Kansas
3.58/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
(review from August 2024) Solid, well balanced festbier with good but lighter mouthfeel; a bready/toasty/malty/slightly caramelly flavor and a clean, quick-fading aftertaste. Very quaffable.
Dec 29, 2025Reviewed by CTHomer from Connecticut
3.78/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: crystal clear; medium gold in color; 1 finger finely pored ivory head that receded to a wispy cap; OK lacing;
S: apple, toasty malt, and a bit of hop spice;
T: toasty malt from start to finish; a little bit of spice on the back of the throat;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: easy drinking;
Nov 10, 2025S: apple, toasty malt, and a bit of hop spice;
T: toasty malt from start to finish; a little bit of spice on the back of the throat;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: easy drinking;
Reviewed by challenja from Virginia
4.33/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is the best drinking October fest US made beer I have had. Everyone in the States messes up by making them too sweet. This one drinks like the best Oktoberfest’s from Germany. Easy drinking and I’m going to score another sixer of this one for sure.
Sep 17, 2025Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.93/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Transfer from RB
Jun 11, 2025Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York
3.91/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.91/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours clear, bright gold (SRM 3-5). One and a half inches of puffy white head slowly retreats over ten minutes, leaving some lacing on a Pretentious Glass Company dimpled mug. Occasional columns of fine carbonation can be seen racing upwards.
The aroma opens with rich sweet malt that drifts towards toasted malt. Fresh white bread dough and light herbs of parsley can also be detected.
An initial burst of sweetness succumbs to mild bitterness. It is crisp up front, with astringency building in a strong and lengthy finish. Toasted malt gives way to hops which take center stage middle to late within each sip.
Medium bodied with a hard, rough metallic texture. The alcohol and prickly carbonation are as expected, as is its dryness.
This is an easy drinking Oktoberfest and is suitable for relaxed occasions. I enjoyed it with a lightly smoked, creamy Monterey Jack cheese.
Feb 01, 2025The aroma opens with rich sweet malt that drifts towards toasted malt. Fresh white bread dough and light herbs of parsley can also be detected.
An initial burst of sweetness succumbs to mild bitterness. It is crisp up front, with astringency building in a strong and lengthy finish. Toasted malt gives way to hops which take center stage middle to late within each sip.
Medium bodied with a hard, rough metallic texture. The alcohol and prickly carbonation are as expected, as is its dryness.
This is an easy drinking Oktoberfest and is suitable for relaxed occasions. I enjoyed it with a lightly smoked, creamy Monterey Jack cheese.
Reviewed by ChuckDeez from Maryland
4.4/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pleasant smell with a sweet taste. The malty notes are definitely present quickly along with a sweetness level that sets it apart from other Oktoberfest offerings. It is quite heady, but settles quickly enough.
Dec 13, 2024Reviewed by TrojanRB from Texas
3.52/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Having actually spent Oktoberfest in Munich this year, I might be a little harsh on this, when comparing to the authentic standards!
Pours a clear gold. Little bit of head that settles quickly.
Biscuity, slightly sweet nose. Faint hop presence.
Taste is malty, slightly sweet, not much depth.
Lighter body, relatively smooth and easy drinking. Moderate carbonation.
This year’s version is…fine. Unremarkable, easy drinking.
Nov 23, 2024Pours a clear gold. Little bit of head that settles quickly.
Biscuity, slightly sweet nose. Faint hop presence.
Taste is malty, slightly sweet, not much depth.
Lighter body, relatively smooth and easy drinking. Moderate carbonation.
This year’s version is…fine. Unremarkable, easy drinking.
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.69/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz can poured into a SA perfect pint glass
A- pours a clear golden color with a one-finger foamy white head that has good retention
S- smells of biscuit malt, caramel, toasted bread, light fruit hops
T- biscuit malt follows the nose with a bitter toasted note. Mid-palate gives a hint of caramel and bread crust. The finish gives a fruit malt undertone with a long toasted linger
M- light-medium body with medium carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and a crisp finish
O- finish was a bit harsh for a festbier
Nov 11, 2024A- pours a clear golden color with a one-finger foamy white head that has good retention
S- smells of biscuit malt, caramel, toasted bread, light fruit hops
T- biscuit malt follows the nose with a bitter toasted note. Mid-palate gives a hint of caramel and bread crust. The finish gives a fruit malt undertone with a long toasted linger
M- light-medium body with medium carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and a crisp finish
O- finish was a bit harsh for a festbier
Reviewed by Parmesan from Colorado
3.99/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Pours a bright pale yellow with a medium white head and no lacing on the glass
S: Sweet cereal malt, and fresh toasted bread, with a light noble hop.
T: Sweet cereal malt, and fresh toasted bread with a light medium bitter noble hop.
F: Light body, smooth carbonation
O: A very enjoyable fest beer.
Nov 11, 2024S: Sweet cereal malt, and fresh toasted bread, with a light noble hop.
T: Sweet cereal malt, and fresh toasted bread with a light medium bitter noble hop.
F: Light body, smooth carbonation
O: A very enjoyable fest beer.
Reviewed by WickedBeer from Alabama
3.38/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
LCI from Halloween 2024.
Malty, w/ bittering notes of burnt caramel and toast. It’s fairly light, and finishes on the sweeter side. Nothing like stumbling on the house with adult trick-or-treat. Happy Halloween everyone!
Nov 04, 2024Malty, w/ bittering notes of burnt caramel and toast. It’s fairly light, and finishes on the sweeter side. Nothing like stumbling on the house with adult trick-or-treat. Happy Halloween everyone!
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