Oktoberfest
Big River Grille & Brewing Works

 

 

Nice Oktoberfest, basic malty flavors, there was a bit of a butterscotch flavor, which actually wasn’t bad. Reddish copper color, brilliantly clear, tan head. Checked all the boxes for the style.

 

 

 

 

 

Big River's Oktoberfest arrived at our table in a very nice tulip pint glass. Bright clear, deep coppery amber in hue just as I like my traditional amber Marzens with a lovely white head and nice lacing.

The aroma was fresh and very clean, and consisted of fresh bready scents, lightly caramel in character with an earthy somewhat spicy hop presence.

The flavor lived up to the aroma and appearance. Honestly I couldn't ask for a better Oktoberfest at Disney from a brew pub. Lovely toasted bready malt flavors with subdued caramel highlights and a very nice and strong spicy/earthy Euro hop character equal in taste to the malts.

Mouthfeel was smooth and on the light side of medium, a very drinkable spot. A good amount of carbonation sparkled without being overbearing.

If you are at Disney in Orlando and are looking for a craft beer fix you need look no further than Big River. If you are there at Oktoberfest season this beer is a real treat and is right up there with most American craft brands of Festbiers.

 

 

Served in a .5L mug...

A- Dark amber color and very clear with a great large head billowing over the rim of the mug. Settles to a small film with clingy lacing.

S- Sweet and malty right upfront in the palate. It gets toasted and presents some slight grassy hops. Clean aroma, not very strong st all though.

T/M- A bit sweeter than most oktoberfests. Biscuity munich malt. Some honey plays peek a boo on the palate. Finishes with bitterness, again fairly grassy. Light medium body, slick and creamy carbonation. Good feel.

O- Not the best oktoberfest, but was great to have a pint while watching football and eating some german style pretzels on a nice.fall day. Would absolutely order again, as most seasonals here are better than regular offerings...

Stopped in for a drink and dinner and ordered a liter of the Oktoberfest in their large beer stein.

Appearance was a wonderful amber with a 3+ finger golden head. The head lasted several minutes with good lacing, so far so good,

Smell was a bit of a let down. Little to no hops and not a lot going on here. Still it looked darn good.

Had a hard time getting thru the three fingers of head for that first sip. It tasted good after being out in the sun all day, but nothing to really rave about. It is a well balanced low hop beer, exactly what I would expect for a mass market, but I did expect more from an Oktoberfest.

It was well carbonated and I was thirsty. I really cannot say anything bad about this beer

It was cold, I was thirsty and it was very drinkable. Nice for a hot fall afternoon to complement the wrust plate. I would give it a thumbs up, but would not go out of the way to drive down and try it.

22oz bomber into my Big River Oktoberfest stein. I have had this in the brewpub in years past, but seeing this bottle caught me off guard. Instant impulse buy. :)

A - An aggressive pour yields a crystal clear dark amber body, big carbonation rising from the bottom forms a pillow of off white head that recedes in patches leaving clumps of lace.

S - Faint sweet malt aroma, clean fermentation with a hint of earthy hops in the end. Fresh bread and herbal hops goodness.

T - Sweet caramel with some fruity esters noted initially. Biscuits and honey are nearly balanced by the solid bitterness. This is one malty and smooth Oktoberfest.

M - Medium bodied with ample carbonation and almost a creaminess that is really nice. This beer is not rich by any means, but is not slick or overly dry. Very nice.

D - The definition of high drinkability. All day everyday for a week? No problem...

Appears a dark, copper toned amber with a small white cap that fades into a mild head. Spotty lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of roasty malts, nuts, and sourdough bread.
Taste is of the malty, roasty aromas that are decent for an Oktoberfest.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slightly tart, and spritzy in the finish.

Draught in Chattanooga location: this one pours a clear, slightly darker amber color. There was somewhat of a off-white head on it that doesn’t hang around long, but leaves some lacing. The aroma is a hair weak, but has notes of malt, as well as some nuttiness and grassiness to it. The taste is somewhat dry. There is a smokiness to it also. Some caramel malts, but no real sweetness at all. Also some nuttiness. Not bad.
Had this again in 2017. There is a little more malt sweetness and earthy hops that were in it before. Still not bad!

Enjoyed this seasonal on Firkin'. The only cask beer available at the brewery. The beer, though, showed no real richness or complex airiness from the cask, but good beer anyhow. A standard orange / copper color with good retention and lacing. Smells malty, bready, and earthy hops. Tastes place emphasis on a malt / grain flavor with follow up earthy hops. Lacks the bready richness that the nose promised. Feels medium light with a light slickness. Finishes with a medium sweetness, subdued hop bittering and graininess. A better beer than most of their standard offereings.

This beer was below average for the style. It was a orange color with a small head. The taste was of pumkin spices. The beer was drinkable but just did not represent the style very good. A fall seasonal that I could drink again but there are better choices at Big River.

Part of their sampler, I know samplers are not the best for reviewing, bear with me. (7 for $5.00, not bad).

A: Nice amber color with a decent, creamy head but minimal lacing

S: Mildly spiced, sweet and malty. Not as hoppy as expected.

T: Malty flavour somewhat sweeter and less bitter than expected.

M: Thin, clean feel with a crisp finish.

D: Very drinkable/sessionable. Not a great beer but good enough to enjoy.

Like many of the Big River brews this is a middle-of-the road beer with moderate qualities. The look is amber with slight red hues and the head a creamy looking, but small pile of foam. Minimal lacing from the smallish head.

The nose and flavor are both malty with just enough hop balance to keep the sweetness in line. The feel is a bit thin, but finishes cleanly. Good drinkability from this average beer.