Oktoberfest (2024)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

 

(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.

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;

 

 

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.

 

Transfer from RB

 

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

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.

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

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.

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!