October Fest
Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)
- From:
- Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Märzen
Ranked #340 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #33,100 - Avg:
- 3.68 | pDev: 13.86%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2,388
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 22, 2026
- Added:
- Sep 10, 2001
- Wants:
- 163
- Gots:
- 2,310
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
In 1810, the Oktoberfest tradition was born when Munich celebrated the Crown Prince's wedding with a special beer and 16-day party. Our version of this classic style blends hearty malts for a deep, smooth flavor of caramel, creating a brew that's perfect for the season, or whatever you're celebrating. Smooth with a roasty sweetness, and light hop character.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Premo88:
Reviewed by Premo88 from Texas
4.03/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle poured into tight nonic
(best before March notched on label ... I'm assuming March 2019)
L: clear light copper, definitely darker than gold but only by a shade or two; topped by 1-inch head of beige head; clarity is stunning, clear as water; no major sticking or lacing
S: bread malt, very fruity sweet like an English pale ale; as it warms a bit of caramel
T: lightly toasted malt sweetness, no major hop bite at first; as it warms, the hops start piling on top of each other and give it a building earthy aftertaste; almost a pecan pie flavor ... it's far from molasses or brown sugar but just a shade "darker" than plain white sugar sweetness; at times the malt fully takes over the flavor, washing away that building hop earthiness, and it's again like a sweet bite of pecan pie or even icing from a German chocolate cake ... a maple syrup flavor
F: relatively light and crisp, loads of carbonation, simple with nothing out of bounds
O: fine representation of the style with the malt dominating the aroma and flavor early and the hops building late
Sep 30, 2018(best before March notched on label ... I'm assuming March 2019)
L: clear light copper, definitely darker than gold but only by a shade or two; topped by 1-inch head of beige head; clarity is stunning, clear as water; no major sticking or lacing
S: bread malt, very fruity sweet like an English pale ale; as it warms a bit of caramel
T: lightly toasted malt sweetness, no major hop bite at first; as it warms, the hops start piling on top of each other and give it a building earthy aftertaste; almost a pecan pie flavor ... it's far from molasses or brown sugar but just a shade "darker" than plain white sugar sweetness; at times the malt fully takes over the flavor, washing away that building hop earthiness, and it's again like a sweet bite of pecan pie or even icing from a German chocolate cake ... a maple syrup flavor
F: relatively light and crisp, loads of carbonation, simple with nothing out of bounds
O: fine representation of the style with the malt dominating the aroma and flavor early and the hops building late
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by muchloveforhops3 from Montana
4/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
*archived rating*
From a 6-pack picked up at Fred Meyer in Wood Village, OR
12oz bottle poured into an Allagash tulip
O- bready malt combines with grassy hops in the profile; simple, yet satisfying; great drinkability as well; nothing over the top, but a nicely-done example of the style imo
Consumption date: 09.23.21
Bottle date: not captured
May 22, 2026From a 6-pack picked up at Fred Meyer in Wood Village, OR
12oz bottle poured into an Allagash tulip
O- bready malt combines with grassy hops in the profile; simple, yet satisfying; great drinkability as well; nothing over the top, but a nicely-done example of the style imo
Consumption date: 09.23.21
Bottle date: not captured
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.3/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.3/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
RB transfer
Jan 16, 2026
Rated by TizzleJizzle from Texas
3.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
RateBeer Transfer
Sampled on 2/16/2008
Jan 10, 2026Sampled on 2/16/2008
Rated by BenZan
4.12/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Really good seasonal, better than any if the others SA has done.
Nov 26, 2025
Reviewed by BFCarr from New Jersey
3.82/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.82/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Ah, a gateway beer.
Pours amber with a thin white head. Aroma is biscuit and bready. Taste is malty sweet with caramel and bread. Feel is good, in line for a marzen. Overall it was amazing when new to good beer. Now, still good and still on point.
Nov 22, 2025Pours amber with a thin white head. Aroma is biscuit and bready. Taste is malty sweet with caramel and bread. Feel is good, in line for a marzen. Overall it was amazing when new to good beer. Now, still good and still on point.
Rated by BeersWithGary from Michigan
3.23/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.23/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
A very drinkable beer with a great citrusy taste
A good seasonal beer for the fall
Nov 13, 2025A good seasonal beer for the fall
Rated by burkesbongsnbeers from Michigan
3.32/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.32/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
overall great beer. tastes citrusy and caramel
Nov 09, 2025
Reviewed by DanO1066 from Maryland
3.21/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.21/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Draught pint at "Happy Hour" pricing ($5) here at The Brass Tap here in Baltimore: It's looks are the best thing about an otherwise forgettable if inoffensive example of the type.
Oct 23, 2025Reviewed by RedStickPhil from New Mexico
3.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Ok for Oktober. Decent color, a brief bit of foam. A bit of flavor on the palate and not overwhelming with the malt. All in all, an acceptable seasonal beer.
Oct 22, 2025
Reviewed by sglooney316 from Texas
4/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz Longneck,Poured on a Pint Glass:
LOOK: Pale amber small head
SMELL: Malty with hint of maple
TASTE: Malty with a hints of brown sugar and caramel
FEEL: Good carbonation maintains a very smooth feeling.
OVERALL: First time trying it good beer
Oct 18, 2025LOOK: Pale amber small head
SMELL: Malty with hint of maple
TASTE: Malty with a hints of brown sugar and caramel
FEEL: Good carbonation maintains a very smooth feeling.
OVERALL: First time trying it good beer
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