Oktober Fest
Stoudts Brewing Co.

 

Unfortunately, this can't be the true first oversion, as the original Stoudts is no more. Kudos to Evil Genius for resurrecting the brand name and some of their brews. From a tap and into a clear pint glass went this revived beer. It looks just as a marzen should, reddish-brown amber in color and semi-translucent. There's no sustained head, but that's not critical, especially in Philadelphia, where most servings are deliberately headless. This has an aroma just like a marzen, too. Malty up front and dominate, with subtle hops in the background. The taste is right there, Just as foretold by the nose. This is malty sweet, meaning it's accompanied by other notes, not just superficially sweet. It's more like the sweetness one gets from whole wheat bread. There's just enough hoppiness that you know this is a beer and that provides one more layer of pleasure for the tongue. It also contributes to a nutty reminder at the finish. So far, so good; but, the body is somewhat light and it could use a little more zip. Marzens aren't supposed to be the most effervescent among all beers, but this comes across a little too flat. Overall, refreshing, if not noteworthy, this is good enough to have again and occasionally. Hopes are that the Stoudt Pilsner can also be revived and that it's as good as the original.

 

 

bottling date illegible

Look- clear copper fading to gold around the edges of the glass; big off-white head that settles fairly quickly leaving a thin coating of foam; spotty lacing

Aroma- light crackery malt w/floral and spicy hops

Taste- light crackery malt with a hint of toasted bread gives way to floral and spicy hops, and just a hint of a fruity, green-apple like favor that goes away after a few sips; moderate bitterness

Feel- medium bodied with moderate carbonation; finish is very dry with lingering moderate bitterness

Overall- this stands out from other oktoberfestbiers I've had in that the malt is very delicate and cracker-like rather than the fuller, almost rich and toasty flavor most others have. That being said, it's a very enjoyable beer, and the nice floral/spicy hop character compliment the lighter malt flavors quite well.

12 oz bottle, best by January 2018

Clear light amber in color, nice off white colored head. Aroma is bready, mildly sweet. Similar flavor, a little earthy. Thin to medium bodied.

This was poured into a pint glass. The appearance was a clear copper color with a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about forty seconds leaving some light stringy lacing sliding into the glass. The smell started off with a rich nutty to caramel presence leading into some toasty to bready hops. The taste was moderately sweet with earthy undertones of nutty and caramel malts. On the palate, this one sat about a light on the body with a very good sessionability about it. The carbonation seemed fairly smooth but I’m guessing this was last Autumn’s batch, so that’s no hit on Stoudt’s just the aging of the beer until this time. Overall, pretty decent Oktoberfest that I could give another shot in the Autumn.

 

 

DATE: October 28, 2016... OCCASION: Watching the Goonies for the first time with the kids... GLASSWARE: Orioles mug...pours a clear amber copper body that features a nice updraft of effervescence... the frothy single finger head is white and even throughout... the aroma is thick bread and caramel malts, with light herbal aromas... throaty and medium-bodied, but delightfully sessionable.. frothy on the intake... sweet, slightly nutty, and lagerish... a beer that is a great companion for Friday night bar food... versatile... I looked for this one for a while, having had it years ago, and Stoudt's doesn't disappoint...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed from a growler via Jungle Jims in a snifter. This nice fest pours a clear and bright orange with a light head of off white foam that subsides to a thin ring and thin layer with light lacing. Nose of moderate breaded malts, herbal hops, and light caramel. Flavors follow the nose with medium amounts of breaded malts and caramel on the front that fade to a light herbal hop on the back that sizzles with the carbonation. Medium carbonation with a medium mouth feel that finishes a touch light and verging on the watery side. A good session brew.

Cheers