Oktoberfest (2024)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

12oz can received as a gift from a friend. "53 PKGD 062724" so this is almost three months old already. This typically sells for $11.99 to $12.99 for a 6-pack of 12oz cans.

Look: It has a lovely light to medium copper color. Looks "toasty". There was a nice beige-colored head upon pouring, but it dissipated to basically nothing. Slow stream of carbonation rising up the glass.

Smell: It has very clean and fresh aromas. I get a bit of honey and a toasted grain character and maltiness along with some caramel. It has a very pleasant apple sweetness and floral note as well. I can't help but think of an apple orchard when I smell this beer. Very crisp.

Taste: This is very crushable. It has a strong earthy hop presence that compliments the toasted grain character nicely. It's also cool that this beer comes across as both malty and hoppy in such a drinkable, crisp, clean way. Up front, it's toasty and malty with a bit of that apple sweetness for just a brief moment before the hops kick in. The beer quickly transitions to a crispy, hoppy mid-palate and finish. Earthy, tea-like hops create a bitter and dry finish that keep me going back for more. Before I know it, my glass is almost empty.

Feel: It's on the lighter side of medium bodied. Very nice - it's relatively light and easy to drink. Very clean. The beer has a nice mouthfeel - the carbonation is soft yet lively and it goes down very smoothly.

Overall: This is my first Festbier of the season; I did have an Ayinger Oktoberfest Märzen a few weeks ago as well as Samuel Adams Octoberfest and Jack's Abby Copper Legend. I like this a lot. It's super drinkable, balanced, and tasty. I feel like it's very hard to tell that this is 6% ABV. It drinks more like 5.2%. Very dangerous! I wonder which hops in this recipe are American grown versus which ones are European.

From the website:
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
6%

BITTERNESS UNITS
30

PROTEIN
4G

MALTS
Munich, Pilsner, Two-row Pale, Wheat

HOPS
Hersbrucker, Loral, Saphir, Spalter

YEAST
Lager

 

(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.