Oxtoberfest - Blended
Oxbow Brewing Company
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- From:
- Oxbow Brewing Company
- Maine, United States
- Style:
- Farmhouse Ale - Bière de Garde
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 88
- Avg:
- 3.93 | pDev: 15.01%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 05, 2018
- Added:
- Mar 10, 2013
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 12
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Notes:
Sour, smokey biere de garde. A blend of multiple vintages of barrel-aged Oxtoberfest.
2015 Blend = 2012, 2013, 2014
2015 Blend = 2012, 2013, 2014
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.92/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by hopley from Massachusetts
Rating for 12 / 13 / 14 blend - 500 ml bottle drank December, 2018
Standout characteristics - tart, dry and sour - taste was a little off or weirdly bitter for some reason, could have been that it didn't hold its age well. Would be interested in trying a fresher bottle (of newer blends).
Dec 05, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by hopley from Massachusetts
Rating for 12 / 13 / 14 blend - 500 ml bottle drank December, 2018
Standout characteristics - tart, dry and sour - taste was a little off or weirdly bitter for some reason, could have been that it didn't hold its age well. Would be interested in trying a fresher bottle (of newer blends).
Dec 05, 2018
4.15 by doremite from Vermont on Aug 21, 2016
3.8/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by crispycracker from Canada (ON)
I had this '11/12/13' blend at the brewery on their 5th anniversary (08/16/16), during our annual family vacation to Lincoln County, Maine.
It was poured in a 5 oz. taster.
L: Copper orange with deep, amber red hues; little haze; rapidly vanishing head.
S: Smoky, with a pervasive musty and barnyard-like, horse stable smell; old leather and tobacco.
T: Black pepper upfront; mostly tart, slightly sour or vinegary (?) raspberry midway; subtle and smooth cheesy finish, almost reminiscent of a creamy blue.
F: Medium body; medium carbonation; tingly.
O: An unusual, yet interesting rendition of the bière de garde style; a pleasant cold(er) weather, slow-sipper; a definite sharer among friends.
Aug 17, 2016
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by crispycracker from Canada (ON)
I had this '11/12/13' blend at the brewery on their 5th anniversary (08/16/16), during our annual family vacation to Lincoln County, Maine.
It was poured in a 5 oz. taster.
L: Copper orange with deep, amber red hues; little haze; rapidly vanishing head.
S: Smoky, with a pervasive musty and barnyard-like, horse stable smell; old leather and tobacco.
T: Black pepper upfront; mostly tart, slightly sour or vinegary (?) raspberry midway; subtle and smooth cheesy finish, almost reminiscent of a creamy blue.
F: Medium body; medium carbonation; tingly.
O: An unusual, yet interesting rendition of the bière de garde style; a pleasant cold(er) weather, slow-sipper; a definite sharer among friends.
Aug 17, 2016
3.63/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Alieniloquium from Florida
500 mL bottle. Clear amber body with a small off-white head. Smell is an interesting combination of smoke and acidity. Acidity is a touch vinegary, but it seems to work with the smoke. Tastes smokey primarily with a nice dose of sourness behind it. Again, just a tinge of vinegar in the sourness. Some maltiness. Oily mouthfeel. High carbonation. Interesting, as always, from Oxbow.
Jul 12, 2016
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Alieniloquium from Florida
500 mL bottle. Clear amber body with a small off-white head. Smell is an interesting combination of smoke and acidity. Acidity is a touch vinegary, but it seems to work with the smoke. Tastes smokey primarily with a nice dose of sourness behind it. Again, just a tinge of vinegar in the sourness. Some maltiness. Oily mouthfeel. High carbonation. Interesting, as always, from Oxbow.
Jul 12, 2016
4.13/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by AMCimpi from New York
L: Dark Amber. White fluffy head, looks like a solid BdG. S: Smokey, that BdG funk, some basement with a touch of lemon. T: Smoke at first, then a touch of biscuit maltiness, finishing with a salty lemon. M: Pillowy, almost creamy, medium feel. O: First oxbow beer and it's great. Just a great representation of the BgD style. Very impressed
Apr 28, 2016
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by AMCimpi from New York
L: Dark Amber. White fluffy head, looks like a solid BdG. S: Smokey, that BdG funk, some basement with a touch of lemon. T: Smoke at first, then a touch of biscuit maltiness, finishing with a salty lemon. M: Pillowy, almost creamy, medium feel. O: First oxbow beer and it's great. Just a great representation of the BgD style. Very impressed
Apr 28, 2016
4.25 by Skellbop from New York on Mar 10, 2016
4.13/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by frekky from Massachusetts
12/13/14 btl
Feb 21, 2016
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by frekky from Massachusetts
12/13/14 btl
Feb 21, 2016
4.5/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by KEEPonPOURING from Virginia
500ml blend 12'/13'/14' into a Cantillon balloon pours a beautiful slightly opaque reddish brown with a very short lived eggshell head and minimally light lacing. It smells of charred smokey heart of the cedar tree. A rich turpentine is found naturally in the heart of a cedar and has an incredibly pleasant earthy aroma that reminds me of my childhood growing up rural. Truly one of the few things I can name that tastes exactly as it smells, of a beautiful smoked wood and citrus on the back end. The brew is well carbed and floats around the mouth and goes down with an awesome tingle. This isn't for everyone, but I'm in love with it. Pair this one with bbq, thanksgiving dinner, or a nice cold night to welcome the weekend. Well done!
Jan 29, 2016
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by KEEPonPOURING from Virginia
500ml blend 12'/13'/14' into a Cantillon balloon pours a beautiful slightly opaque reddish brown with a very short lived eggshell head and minimally light lacing. It smells of charred smokey heart of the cedar tree. A rich turpentine is found naturally in the heart of a cedar and has an incredibly pleasant earthy aroma that reminds me of my childhood growing up rural. Truly one of the few things I can name that tastes exactly as it smells, of a beautiful smoked wood and citrus on the back end. The brew is well carbed and floats around the mouth and goes down with an awesome tingle. This isn't for everyone, but I'm in love with it. Pair this one with bbq, thanksgiving dinner, or a nice cold night to welcome the weekend. Well done!
Jan 29, 2016
4.25 by jbarletto from Massachusetts on Nov 24, 2015
3.59 by IPAchris from Pennsylvania on Nov 21, 2015
4.25 by Jho3325 from Indiana on Nov 19, 2015
4.24 by bobv from Vermont on Nov 03, 2015
3.75 by SocalKicks from California on Oct 29, 2015
4.2/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by RichD from Rhode Island
Poured from a 500 mL bottle into a tulip glass.
L: Pours a deep reddish brown color with a finger of suds. This bottle actually gushed a little after I opened it. No big deal though, and I didn't really lose any beer.
S: Smells of a vinous, funky aroma. As I dive my nose into the glass I also catch some prominent smokiness. There is a faint scent of malts that come through as well. Definitely not as strong as the funky, smoky notes.
T: The flavor starts off with the sour grapes/apple flavors and evolve into the smoked malts. This is quite the interesting combination. The flavors are really nice. It's a bit two-dimension, but honestly the flavor that these two dimensions contribute is more than enough. I really like this.
F: This doesn't feel like it's 6% at all. The mouth feel is a bit creamy, but medium bodied. It's not a sipper, but not something I can drink multiple bottles of in a sitting.
Overall: This is an interesting beer from Oxbow. Having had their original Oxtoberfest, I was able to pick out the differences between the original and the blended version. I really think that Oxbow could be on to something here with the blends of different vintages. Reminds me of what the Belgian brewers do with their gueuzes. I think this beer could be really great with some rounded edges. Nice beer overall though.
Oct 14, 2015
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by RichD from Rhode Island
Poured from a 500 mL bottle into a tulip glass.
L: Pours a deep reddish brown color with a finger of suds. This bottle actually gushed a little after I opened it. No big deal though, and I didn't really lose any beer.
S: Smells of a vinous, funky aroma. As I dive my nose into the glass I also catch some prominent smokiness. There is a faint scent of malts that come through as well. Definitely not as strong as the funky, smoky notes.
T: The flavor starts off with the sour grapes/apple flavors and evolve into the smoked malts. This is quite the interesting combination. The flavors are really nice. It's a bit two-dimension, but honestly the flavor that these two dimensions contribute is more than enough. I really like this.
F: This doesn't feel like it's 6% at all. The mouth feel is a bit creamy, but medium bodied. It's not a sipper, but not something I can drink multiple bottles of in a sitting.
Overall: This is an interesting beer from Oxbow. Having had their original Oxtoberfest, I was able to pick out the differences between the original and the blended version. I really think that Oxbow could be on to something here with the blends of different vintages. Reminds me of what the Belgian brewers do with their gueuzes. I think this beer could be really great with some rounded edges. Nice beer overall though.
Oct 14, 2015
2.3 by fredmugs from Indiana on Oct 07, 2015
3.81/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by BastardFromABasket from Massachusetts
Label: "Blended 11/12/13"
Purchased July 2014, opened on Sept 9th 2015
L - Hazy, caramel color. Light off-white head that fades quickly.
S - Vinous, funky, spicy. Love the smell.
T - Tart followed by barnyard. A bit of oak and pepper. Tartness overwhelms.
F - Medium bodied and effervescent.
0 - I was expecting something mellower considering the age. Maybe another year would've done it. Ce'st La Vie!
Sep 09, 2015
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by BastardFromABasket from Massachusetts
Label: "Blended 11/12/13"
Purchased July 2014, opened on Sept 9th 2015
L - Hazy, caramel color. Light off-white head that fades quickly.
S - Vinous, funky, spicy. Love the smell.
T - Tart followed by barnyard. A bit of oak and pepper. Tartness overwhelms.
F - Medium bodied and effervescent.
0 - I was expecting something mellower considering the age. Maybe another year would've done it. Ce'st La Vie!
Sep 09, 2015
3/5 rDev -23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by rodmanfor3 from Vermont
I had heard great things about Oxbow Brewing, so I was sorely disappointed to experience this mediocrity as my introduction to their collection.
This beer is essentially an overly smoked sour beer with an off-putting earthy flavor. Probably something that should not have been bottled.
Aug 26, 2015
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by rodmanfor3 from Vermont
I had heard great things about Oxbow Brewing, so I was sorely disappointed to experience this mediocrity as my introduction to their collection.
This beer is essentially an overly smoked sour beer with an off-putting earthy flavor. Probably something that should not have been bottled.
Aug 26, 2015
3.85 by hoppymcgee from Maine on Jul 04, 2015
3.96 by mltobin from Connecticut on Jun 18, 2015
4.49 by Faxmesomehalibut from New Hampshire on Apr 23, 2015
4.45 by jtladner from District of Columbia on Mar 11, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Kurmaraja from California
Smoke done well. Tartness, a blend of fruit from pear to Quince, Tartness that isn't a distraction. A hybrid without a real style that is incredibly delicious.
Feb 13, 2015
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Kurmaraja from California
Smoke done well. Tartness, a blend of fruit from pear to Quince, Tartness that isn't a distraction. A hybrid without a real style that is incredibly delicious.
Feb 13, 2015
4.05 by Jonny41 from Maine on Jan 02, 2015
3.9/5 rDev -0.8%
by Etan from Wisconsin
11/12/13 bottle. Thanks Valdieu!
A: Pours an absolutely clear amber with a nice off-white head.
S: Aroma is funky leather, raspberry, mild caramel malt and yeasty.
T: Smoke makes itself known first, followed by crisp red fruit acidity. Moderately sour, bready malt, more smoke, slight metallic note.
M: Light-bodied with zingy carbonation.
O: Odd at first, but I really like it.
Dec 04, 2014
by Etan from Wisconsin
11/12/13 bottle. Thanks Valdieu!
A: Pours an absolutely clear amber with a nice off-white head.
S: Aroma is funky leather, raspberry, mild caramel malt and yeasty.
T: Smoke makes itself known first, followed by crisp red fruit acidity. Moderately sour, bready malt, more smoke, slight metallic note.
M: Light-bodied with zingy carbonation.
O: Odd at first, but I really like it.
Dec 04, 2014
3.86 by Seanniek91 from Rhode Island on Dec 01, 2014
4.5 by Mesa512 from Connecticut on Nov 02, 2014
4 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania on Oct 30, 2014
4 by BeerThursdays from Delaware on Oct 25, 2014
1.75 by chippo33 from Vermont on Oct 13, 2014
4.25 by thegerm87 from Massachusetts on Oct 12, 2014
4 by PEIhop from Massachusetts on Sep 15, 2014
3.75 by Dicers from Colorado on Sep 09, 2014
3.16 by Gvsccraftbeer from South Carolina on Sep 06, 2014
4.75 by geocool from Massachusetts on Sep 01, 2014
3.75 by brianmandell from California on Aug 29, 2014
4.16 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire on Aug 22, 2014
4 by benbazi from California on Aug 04, 2014
3.75 by CTJman from Connecticut on Aug 03, 2014
2.75 by bsuedekum from Missouri on Aug 02, 2014
4.75 by Hirshi from New York on Aug 01, 2014
Oxtoberfest - Blended from Oxbow Brewing Company
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
61 ratings