Oktoberfest | Left Hand Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Left Hand Brewing Company
Colorado, United States
lefthandbrewing.com
Style: German Märzen / Oktoberfest
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.60%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
This is no festivus for the restivus, on the contrary, we start brewing in the spring and it takes a full two months to reach lagered perfection. Biscuity, malty goodness dominates upfront while the noble pedigree hops lend a properly spicy, dry finish.
Added by rowew on 08-22-2006
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,286 | Reviews: 468
3.51/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
4/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear amber color with a thumbnail length head. The head shows good retention.
Aromas of bready and biscuity malt, a touch of caramel. Spices evoke fall. Midway there are aromas of grassy hops and a touch of alcohol.
Clean toasty malt taste with moderate sweetness and a hint of caramel. There is a grassy and leafy hops presence that provides a bold presence and a bitterness that is assertive for the style.
Medium bodied with a moderate carbonation. There is an herbal finish. The mouthfeel is more smooth than crisp. A well hopped Marzen that becomes spicy and warming midway, and a touch of alcohol throughout.
Nice example for the style and perfect for a crisp fall night.
687 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear amber color with a thumbnail length head. The head shows good retention.
Aromas of bready and biscuity malt, a touch of caramel. Spices evoke fall. Midway there are aromas of grassy hops and a touch of alcohol.
Clean toasty malt taste with moderate sweetness and a hint of caramel. There is a grassy and leafy hops presence that provides a bold presence and a bitterness that is assertive for the style.
Medium bodied with a moderate carbonation. There is an herbal finish. The mouthfeel is more smooth than crisp. A well hopped Marzen that becomes spicy and warming midway, and a touch of alcohol throughout.
Nice example for the style and perfect for a crisp fall night.
687 characters
3.13/5 rDev -16.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
4.09/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.25/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A malty beer with toasty finish, a firm bitterness that sits in the back.
Taste rating in words: It's a heavy wet body suit, sticking to you as you try and run to the car.
172 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A malty beer with toasty finish, a firm bitterness that sits in the back.
Taste rating in words: It's a heavy wet body suit, sticking to you as you try and run to the car.
172 characters
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.93/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(12 oz bottle, best by 11/09/18... poured into a straight-sided simple glass mug)
L: deep, tawny-amber liquid, crystal-clear; foam holds a cap for a couple minutes, no lace
S: herbal hops, brown bread crust, subtle dark caramel; little alcohol, mildly white vinous esters... overall intensity mellow
T: rich malt foundation, hard toasty edge on finish... mellow but firm bitterness with a roasted grain note giving it color... lingering sweetish bready malt essence... the beefier malt base seems unique among most U.S. examples, but still very much an American flavor profile
F: light-medium bodied with an extra bouncy jelly roll to its contour up front, though it drops off the back of the palate pretty level and dry... so its muscle seems a bit inflated, but its eventually dryness and light snap off is nice
O: was getting the urge lately to have a few o'fests - had a list of ones I hadn't tried/reviewed, found this first and quite happy with the choice - glad I sprung for a sixer
994 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(12 oz bottle, best by 11/09/18... poured into a straight-sided simple glass mug)
L: deep, tawny-amber liquid, crystal-clear; foam holds a cap for a couple minutes, no lace
S: herbal hops, brown bread crust, subtle dark caramel; little alcohol, mildly white vinous esters... overall intensity mellow
T: rich malt foundation, hard toasty edge on finish... mellow but firm bitterness with a roasted grain note giving it color... lingering sweetish bready malt essence... the beefier malt base seems unique among most U.S. examples, but still very much an American flavor profile
F: light-medium bodied with an extra bouncy jelly roll to its contour up front, though it drops off the back of the palate pretty level and dry... so its muscle seems a bit inflated, but its eventually dryness and light snap off is nice
O: was getting the urge lately to have a few o'fests - had a list of ones I hadn't tried/reviewed, found this first and quite happy with the choice - glad I sprung for a sixer
994 characters
3.81/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice clear copper/carmel color. Good head when poured but went away quickly with minimal lacing. Malty, easy to drink with a nice finish. Smooth mouthfeel. 12 oz bottle into 16 oz tulip glass.
197 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice clear copper/carmel color. Good head when poured but went away quickly with minimal lacing. Malty, easy to drink with a nice finish. Smooth mouthfeel. 12 oz bottle into 16 oz tulip glass.
197 characters
3.09/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75
Best by 11/20/18
Pours a deep copper with a noticeable amber hue; semi-clear with good effervescence; a slight, off-white head recedes quickly, but produces steady patterns of lacing that hold up decently.
Aroma is loaded with heavy notes of earthy spice and lightly boozy caramelized malts; some dark cherries and woody notes are prominent in the background, as is a toffee-like sweetness.
Taste brings a blunt dose of boozy malt and seasonal spice, earthy and slightly herbal; smoked toffee, caramel, and more refined malty notes look to make an appearance, but are abruptly drowned out by the boozy flavors coursing through the palate.
Mouthfeel is hearty and the aforementioned boozy aspects have little effect here, giving off no burn; it is surprisingly clean toward the finish while maintaining a consistent stickiness on the palate throughout; medium-light body and medium carbonation levels make it reasonably easy to put back.
If it weren’t for the awkward booziness, this would be a solid American festbier, with a nice spice character; instead, the flavor is largely overtaken, and the beer as a whole is affected in some subtle but significant ways; I’m not sure if it was intended as an accompaniment to an ambitiously boozy 6.6% marzen, or simply a product of too much age, but it doesn’t leave a great final taste in my mouth.
1,354 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75
Best by 11/20/18
Pours a deep copper with a noticeable amber hue; semi-clear with good effervescence; a slight, off-white head recedes quickly, but produces steady patterns of lacing that hold up decently.
Aroma is loaded with heavy notes of earthy spice and lightly boozy caramelized malts; some dark cherries and woody notes are prominent in the background, as is a toffee-like sweetness.
Taste brings a blunt dose of boozy malt and seasonal spice, earthy and slightly herbal; smoked toffee, caramel, and more refined malty notes look to make an appearance, but are abruptly drowned out by the boozy flavors coursing through the palate.
Mouthfeel is hearty and the aforementioned boozy aspects have little effect here, giving off no burn; it is surprisingly clean toward the finish while maintaining a consistent stickiness on the palate throughout; medium-light body and medium carbonation levels make it reasonably easy to put back.
If it weren’t for the awkward booziness, this would be a solid American festbier, with a nice spice character; instead, the flavor is largely overtaken, and the beer as a whole is affected in some subtle but significant ways; I’m not sure if it was intended as an accompaniment to an ambitiously boozy 6.6% marzen, or simply a product of too much age, but it doesn’t leave a great final taste in my mouth.
1,354 characters
3.58/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear, amber, color with a fairly thick, off-white, head that clings nicely to the sides of the glass. Smell is malty and caramel, a little on the weak side. Caramel flavor up front, with a little bit of white bread, and an earthy finish. Tiny note of hop bitterness that really doesn't add much to this. It's sweet, not sickeningly but definately sweet. Fairly crisp, flavor lingers for a short moment after the finish. Medium light body. American marzen style, not so sweet as many but a little too sweet for me.
522 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear, amber, color with a fairly thick, off-white, head that clings nicely to the sides of the glass. Smell is malty and caramel, a little on the weak side. Caramel flavor up front, with a little bit of white bread, and an earthy finish. Tiny note of hop bitterness that really doesn't add much to this. It's sweet, not sickeningly but definately sweet. Fairly crisp, flavor lingers for a short moment after the finish. Medium light body. American marzen style, not so sweet as many but a little too sweet for me.
522 characters
3.77/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark amber with two fat fingers of tan head. Thick webbed lacing.
Strong malty aroma with almost-burnt caramel, some musty yeast, a touch of bread and the slightest hint of breakfast blend coffee.
Caramel malts lead in the taste. Some breadiness shows mid-palate and there's a dull, earthy bitterness competing with the malt and an almost root beer-like herbal element in the finish.
Full bodied for the style with modest carbonation.
If you're looking for an Americanized Marzen-style Oktoberfest, this isn't bad.
520 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark amber with two fat fingers of tan head. Thick webbed lacing.
Strong malty aroma with almost-burnt caramel, some musty yeast, a touch of bread and the slightest hint of breakfast blend coffee.
Caramel malts lead in the taste. Some breadiness shows mid-palate and there's a dull, earthy bitterness competing with the malt and an almost root beer-like herbal element in the finish.
Full bodied for the style with modest carbonation.
If you're looking for an Americanized Marzen-style Oktoberfest, this isn't bad.
520 characters
3.05/5 rDev -18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours out clear copper with a tan head. Retention is minimal and there is no lacing.
Smells a bit of caramel and grains. A bit weak. Also getting a metallic quality from it.
Caramel sweetness up front and a fairly bitter middle. Bitterness lingers a bit.
The mouth feel is light. Carbonation is a medium reaching high. Feels alright for the most part.
354 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours out clear copper with a tan head. Retention is minimal and there is no lacing.
Smells a bit of caramel and grains. A bit weak. Also getting a metallic quality from it.
Caramel sweetness up front and a fairly bitter middle. Bitterness lingers a bit.
The mouth feel is light. Carbonation is a medium reaching high. Feels alright for the most part.
354 characters
3.69/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12oz bottle into glass. Stamped on bottle is best by date of '11/08/18'.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Half finger of off white head quickly goes away to a thin cap and ring. Almost all spots of lacing slide back down into the beer.
Toasty malts in the smell.
Toasty malts and spicy hops in the taste. More of a low caramel sweetness, but no bitterness.
Medium mouth feel, with a little bite. Extreme smoothness is lacking. Has a bit of a dark malt hang on in the after taste.
The lack of smoothness does away with the enticement to take one sip after another.
577 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12oz bottle into glass. Stamped on bottle is best by date of '11/08/18'.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Half finger of off white head quickly goes away to a thin cap and ring. Almost all spots of lacing slide back down into the beer.
Toasty malts in the smell.
Toasty malts and spicy hops in the taste. More of a low caramel sweetness, but no bitterness.
Medium mouth feel, with a little bite. Extreme smoothness is lacking. Has a bit of a dark malt hang on in the after taste.
The lack of smoothness does away with the enticement to take one sip after another.
577 characters
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.88/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can best before 11-18-18
1/2" off white head with short retention, falls to a pool in the center of the deep copper colored, clear Marzen.
Loads of caramel, full malty nose...a touch of floral and maybe a hint of spice.
Malt attack....rich, caramel, toasted grain. Hop spice shows up between midway and the finish. Clean flavors, malt and hops working together well here.
Full body, low to mid carbonation range. Malty finish but not overly sweet....hops come in and get the job done.
Enjoyable American made Oktoberfest...Left Hand does a great job throughout their line up.
580 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can best before 11-18-18
1/2" off white head with short retention, falls to a pool in the center of the deep copper colored, clear Marzen.
Loads of caramel, full malty nose...a touch of floral and maybe a hint of spice.
Malt attack....rich, caramel, toasted grain. Hop spice shows up between midway and the finish. Clean flavors, malt and hops working together well here.
Full body, low to mid carbonation range. Malty finish but not overly sweet....hops come in and get the job done.
Enjoyable American made Oktoberfest...Left Hand does a great job throughout their line up.
580 characters
Oktoberfest from Left Hand Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.76 out of
5 with
1,286 ratings
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