Samuel Adams Octoberfest
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Samuel Adams OctoberfestSamuel Adams Octoberfest
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From:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Märzen
Ranked #280
ABV:
5.3%
Score:
83
Ranked #24,024
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 14.17%
Reviews:
2,356
Ratings:
8,232
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 01, 2024
Added:
Sep 10, 2001
Wants:
  163
Gots:
  2,287
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 scotorum:
Photo of scotorum
Reviewed by scotorum from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A gift from a grown daughter, who had bought two in a variety pack and did not care for it.

Best before Feb. 2014.

Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams nonick.

a: Clear copper, finger thick offwhite head receded to even surface foam and some patterned lacing.

s: Caramel malt.

t: Caramel malt forward, and backward. A little hops present, but this is for malt lovers. Sweet to dry finish.

m: Medium, smooth.

o: I love a good malty Marzen, and this is a good Marzen. Everything is right about it for the style.

UPDATE 9/14/16: Two came in the new Fall Variety Pack, which I purchased because it has four I have not tried. Would only note that first it seemed lighter than I remembered, but gained some heft as it warmed. Warming, the caramel malt came forward more prominently. Still find it a solid malty Marzen, though perhaps a bit short on other flavors.
Jan 02, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of KChief38
Rated by KChief38 from Texas

3.97/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Really nice brew for the Fall. Hints of cloves, nice spices, crisp taste and warm color.
Mar 01, 2024
Photo of Franziskaner
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark amber in color with a fingernail of khaki brown on top. There’s an aroma of caramelized bready malt. I’m tasting toffee and marzipan. The mouth is crisp and approachable.
Feb 09, 2024
Photo of MetalHead7734
Reviewed by MetalHead7734 from South Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Look: Moderate light tan head. Caramel or dark honey colored.

Smell: Caramel. Rich malt aroma.

Taste: Caramel sweetness that fades into rich maltyness. A small amount of citrus if you can find it. Finishes with more caramel.

Feel: Perfect.

Overall: One of my favorite beers. Perfectly balanced.
Jan 31, 2024
 
Rated: 3.74 by gongfu from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2024
Photo of 47fvckegotism
Rated by 47fvckegotism

3.34/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bready smell with light taste of floral and the smallest hint of bittersweet flavor
Jan 28, 2024
 
Rated: 4.3 by Quikshark from South Carolina

Dec 28, 2023
Photo of DarkPassport
Reviewed by DarkPassport

4.31/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: On tap into pint glass. Beautiful clear mahogany amber with almost no head and no lacing. The color was brilliant but the lack of foam was unfortunate.

Aroma: Light malt notes. Toffee and caramel. Musk and oak.

Taste: Malt forward. Caramel that isn't too sweet. Toffee isn't as present on the tongue as it is on the nose. Lightly toasted bread.

Feel: Smooth. Carbonation is on the low side which seems to suit this beer just fine, surprisingly.

Overall: Fairly complex for the style without trying to be over-the-top. It's easy to see why this beer sets the American Oktoberfest bar.
Dec 26, 2023
Photo of Brendan-T-Walsh
Reviewed by Brendan-T-Walsh from New York

2.26/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.25
Very poor experience. A 12-pack case over a month of reluctant drinking in late September.

The look and smell were promising, but the (very American) Marzen feels loaded with syrup. Sad!
Dec 10, 2023
Photo of Mainehawk
Reviewed by Mainehawk from Maine

3.17/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Served from the can into a pint glass. Bright red amber color with a slight head which lingered. Light legs which cleared rapidly, Light carbonation. Full malty favor and lightly hopped. No after taste to my palate. Easy drinking. The bottle format seems to have a better head. Good Marzen but not spectacular.
Dec 08, 2023
 
 
Rated: 4.11 by Luca2020 from Massachusetts

Nov 28, 2023
 
Rated: 3.93 by LagerMan_US from Maine

Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.64 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Nov 26, 2023
Photo of Rodya-CA
Rated by Rodya-CA from California

3.84/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On Draft
Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Zachboyd3334 from Indiana

Nov 18, 2023
Photo of FreePal88
Reviewed by FreePal88

3/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Not hard to drink, but vaguely chemical-ish and artificial. Feels like a focus group of people who don't drink beer came up with an "autumnal" flavor for a beer. I dunno, every other marzen I've had so far has been better.
Nov 13, 2023
Photo of LeinenkugelDrinker
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Perhaps the greatest beer ever made. Definitely the best East Coast brew. Flavor is malty and smooth. Excellent feel. The smell is a bit underpowered though. Love these beers.
Nov 05, 2023
Photo of Dylan184183
Reviewed by Dylan184183 from Idaho

4.68/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Tasted great, a little pricey, but man it made me gassy later. Great color, and a great seasonal beer. Had a nice head when poured into a glass. Good beer for October.
Nov 02, 2023
Samuel Adams Octoberfest from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 8232 ratings