Oktoberfest Beer
Miskatonic Brewing Company

Undated can; drank 10/19/25 @ the Yarchives.

See-through dull orange appearance.

A rough pour yielded a nice eggshell-colored head; strong lacing remained.

Caramel & autumn leaf notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Autumn leaf & mineral water flavor.

Another in a long line of passable, unmemorable Chicago Oktoberfests. It's fine.

Clear golden color, nice white head, some spotty lacing.
Biscuit, cracker, bread are abundant. Risp, clean finish. I'll have another.

Since there are no 2023 ratings, Miskatonic may not have brewed this seasonal last year. Reading thru the reviews, their Fest-entry does not seem to be much of a work in progress. I largely rate it barely above average: Looks are typical (more lasting lace would be nice); Smells are full for a lager, malt and hops; Tastes are balanced until the after-taste when the hops linger a bit too strong for me; Feel is light-to-medium mouthed (but quite carbonated). Overall, more like a pils than the Helles the Fest is supposed to be close to.

I started this Fest at lunch and it was suitable with a sandwich. I also like Miskatonic; they have a thoughtful menu at their downtown Naperville gastro-pub. They source locally. They might have done more in their eight years. But..... All totaled, I give them above average Overall Hugs.

Tasted in a .5 liter mug from draught at Firkin in Libertyville, IL on October 17, 2022. Look is clear amber. Smell and taste is caramel malt, a hint of fruit and herbal hops. Feel is smooth and light bodied.

Bright gold, racing carb streams, billowing head of foam and sheets of lacing coating the glass. Surface coverage is long lasting, some of the nicest lacing i’ve seen on a Festbier.

Aroma is fresh and malt forward, country bread, mildly herbal noble hop.

Taste is crackery and bready, grassy noble hop, more at a pilsner level. Crisp and smooth. Maybe a touch too bitter. Ample carb, light feel with slight heft to the body, true to style.

Overall, it’s somewhat hoppy for a Festbier, but it’s pretty tasty. Enjoyed the single, would buy again.

Clear golden pour with a larger white cap, mild lacing. Crisp cracker and bread yeast meet grassy hop with lemon zest in nose. Taste has an issue though, while the yeast is full, bready and pleasant, the hops are green as this warms. Feel doesn't reflect the green hops, again crisp malt and yeast carrying. Solid festbier

 

 

Taste: tangy, malt, crisp, floral, crisp German hops, that get smoother in finish. Gently spiced malt nose. Copper hue, clear, with tan head and rings of lace. Medium body. Balanced.