Bob's '47 Oktoberfest | Boulevard Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Missouri, United States
boulevard.com
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our fall seasonal beer, Bob’s ’47 Oktoberfest is a medium-bodied, dark amber brew with a malty flavor and well-balanced hop character. With this Munich-style lager we salute our friend Bob Werkowitch, Master Brewer and graduate of the U.S. Brewer’s Academy, 1947.
27 IBU
Added by Todd on 08-31-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 259 | Ratings: 660
3.33/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours a coppery amber color with a small ring of head over top of the beer. The nose is slightly caramel, but very buttery. Diacetyl alert. The flavor is also rather buttery-sweet. I'm not so sure what I think of it. There is a slight spicey on the finish. The feel is moderate with a slight carbonation. This is not a favorit of mine. I don't like the way the diacetyl comes through so dominant. It is not supported by a good hop like some ESB's.
★ 457 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours a coppery amber color with a small ring of head over top of the beer. The nose is slightly caramel, but very buttery. Diacetyl alert. The flavor is also rather buttery-sweet. I'm not so sure what I think of it. There is a slight spicey on the finish. The feel is moderate with a slight carbonation. This is not a favorit of mine. I don't like the way the diacetyl comes through so dominant. It is not supported by a good hop like some ESB's.
★ 457 characters
4.12/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Short brown bottle with a twist-off top.
This beer pours a vibrant gold, though it has some chill haze. White head, which turns to lace.
Nice bready/malty aroma. Toasted grain and some caramel.
Flavor favors malts, but there is a good hop balance. A smooth beer with medium body. Finishes with a very enjoyable slight bitterness. Very easy to drink.
★ 359 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Short brown bottle with a twist-off top.
This beer pours a vibrant gold, though it has some chill haze. White head, which turns to lace.
Nice bready/malty aroma. Toasted grain and some caramel.
Flavor favors malts, but there is a good hop balance. A smooth beer with medium body. Finishes with a very enjoyable slight bitterness. Very easy to drink.
★ 359 characters
4.65/5 rDev +24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark amber and has a white head that leaves a nice lace on my glass. The aroma is very malty with a little spiciness of the hops. Very nice for a lager... It is very bock-like in it's character. I love the malty backbone with the excellent hopping... I am blown away by how good the beer is. I was expecting much less. I can't wait until next years batch.
★ 363 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark amber and has a white head that leaves a nice lace on my glass. The aroma is very malty with a little spiciness of the hops. Very nice for a lager... It is very bock-like in it's character. I love the malty backbone with the excellent hopping... I am blown away by how good the beer is. I was expecting much less. I can't wait until next years batch.
★ 363 characters
4.22/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Clear amber with streams of rising bubbles. The head is minimal.
Fragrant of maple and caramel, traced with roast nuts and dried herb.
Flavor begins with a brown sugary toffee rush, leaning drier over time. Brief glimpses of fruit (black cherry, peach) precede caramel-covered nuts (hazelnuts especially), then toasted grains. A lingering honey sense leads it into a herbal-laced hop closure.
Medium bodied, medium carbonation.
A solid triangulation of a lagers vienna, marzen, and munich.
★ 495 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Clear amber with streams of rising bubbles. The head is minimal.
Fragrant of maple and caramel, traced with roast nuts and dried herb.
Flavor begins with a brown sugary toffee rush, leaning drier over time. Brief glimpses of fruit (black cherry, peach) precede caramel-covered nuts (hazelnuts especially), then toasted grains. A lingering honey sense leads it into a herbal-laced hop closure.
Medium bodied, medium carbonation.
A solid triangulation of a lagers vienna, marzen, and munich.
★ 495 characters
4.24/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Kinda hazy golden copper with amber highlights and a small, off-white head. Sugary-sweet, candied carrot cake mix with spicy vegetal hops to make up a splendid nose. Very nice. One of the best smelling light lagers I've had the pleasure of smelling. The taste didn't let me down either. Tangy and sweet malts up front. Sugary fruit--kiwi? Strawberry? Light apple sweetness and then herbal, slightly spicy hops slide in. Delicious and different. Finish is more sweet than bitter. Medium-bodied and drinks and coats the mouth superbly well for a beer of its size. Well done!
★ 572 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Kinda hazy golden copper with amber highlights and a small, off-white head. Sugary-sweet, candied carrot cake mix with spicy vegetal hops to make up a splendid nose. Very nice. One of the best smelling light lagers I've had the pleasure of smelling. The taste didn't let me down either. Tangy and sweet malts up front. Sugary fruit--kiwi? Strawberry? Light apple sweetness and then herbal, slightly spicy hops slide in. Delicious and different. Finish is more sweet than bitter. Medium-bodied and drinks and coats the mouth superbly well for a beer of its size. Well done!
★ 572 characters
4.15/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bobs 47 Munich style Lager pours a lovely copper hued red from a dark brown 12oz glass bottle. Head goes to over two fingers before settling down to a nice blanket of foam, replete with ring and lace.
Nose is of malts and hops, a bit of floral comes through above the sweet malt, all are in generous and well balanced proportions, its just that the floral come through first.
Palate is a thick and savory malt, off set with a most welcome bitter from the hops.
Bobs 47 Munich style Lager from Boulevard is a most welcome amalgamation of malts and hops that I would recommend to anyone.
★ 606 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bobs 47 Munich style Lager pours a lovely copper hued red from a dark brown 12oz glass bottle. Head goes to over two fingers before settling down to a nice blanket of foam, replete with ring and lace.
Nose is of malts and hops, a bit of floral comes through above the sweet malt, all are in generous and well balanced proportions, its just that the floral come through first.
Palate is a thick and savory malt, off set with a most welcome bitter from the hops.
Bobs 47 Munich style Lager from Boulevard is a most welcome amalgamation of malts and hops that I would recommend to anyone.
★ 606 characters
3.88/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Copper in color with a white head. Leaves a good amount of lacing down the glass. The aroma is spicy, and slightly grainy, with a nutty toasted maltiness. The flavor is sweet of caramel malts upfront, it then flows to a somewhat fruity taste. It is toasty and somewhat spicy in the flavor as well. Light in body, and smooth to drink. I pretty decent brew.
★ 355 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Copper in color with a white head. Leaves a good amount of lacing down the glass. The aroma is spicy, and slightly grainy, with a nutty toasted maltiness. The flavor is sweet of caramel malts upfront, it then flows to a somewhat fruity taste. It is toasty and somewhat spicy in the flavor as well. Light in body, and smooth to drink. I pretty decent brew.
★ 355 characters
3.85/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Coppery-brown in hue with a slight tawny influence, Ive always loved the color of this beer. From the bottle a bit of yeast haze enters the otherwise clear liquid. Not much animation is noticed streaming to the off-white head. At the apex the foam was almost two fingers in height before quickly fading to a thin cap. There wasnt much subsequent lacing. There is nothing noteworthy about the appearance aside from the color; it says autumn to me. I like that. The nose says German in that universal beer language. Clean but malty, traces of buttered nuts, caramel, faint toasty sugar at times, earthy hops as well. Husks. Very slight suggests of alcoholic-fruit. The nose is simple but inviting. Ive smelled it year after year and enjoy it every time. Coherent. The potency is moderate. The palate is very tasty. It doesnt seem like a straight Helles to me, there seems to be a little O-fest in the mix (you know what I mean, right?). Whatever really, it is a great tasting German Lager. Malty upfront, in the middle, and at the finish! The malt offers some sweetness in the form of toffee, a little bit of buttery nuts, bread, crackers, and a warming caramely fruity-alcoholic finish. Hops are secondary and offer some earthy undertones. Lovely. This beer has improved (to me) ever year that Ive quaffed it. I think the beer has stayed the same but my palate as matured and I can now more fully enjoy the subtleties in beers like such. Clean aftertaste, there is just a trace of sweet malts. Pretzels anyone? Medium in body; creamy yet filling mouthfeel, in part, because of the moderately low but natural carbonation. I really like the bulk on the tongue and the creamy, smoothness of the swallow. Very drinkable, I look forward to this beer every year. Ive neglected to sit-down and pen a proper review (i.e., ignore that on-tap review I wrote, for now). This is a very solid offering; it is quite the drinker. Im thankful this beer is quite common in Omaha, for a few weeks every fall anyway. Recommended.
★ 2,035 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Coppery-brown in hue with a slight tawny influence, Ive always loved the color of this beer. From the bottle a bit of yeast haze enters the otherwise clear liquid. Not much animation is noticed streaming to the off-white head. At the apex the foam was almost two fingers in height before quickly fading to a thin cap. There wasnt much subsequent lacing. There is nothing noteworthy about the appearance aside from the color; it says autumn to me. I like that. The nose says German in that universal beer language. Clean but malty, traces of buttered nuts, caramel, faint toasty sugar at times, earthy hops as well. Husks. Very slight suggests of alcoholic-fruit. The nose is simple but inviting. Ive smelled it year after year and enjoy it every time. Coherent. The potency is moderate. The palate is very tasty. It doesnt seem like a straight Helles to me, there seems to be a little O-fest in the mix (you know what I mean, right?). Whatever really, it is a great tasting German Lager. Malty upfront, in the middle, and at the finish! The malt offers some sweetness in the form of toffee, a little bit of buttery nuts, bread, crackers, and a warming caramely fruity-alcoholic finish. Hops are secondary and offer some earthy undertones. Lovely. This beer has improved (to me) ever year that Ive quaffed it. I think the beer has stayed the same but my palate as matured and I can now more fully enjoy the subtleties in beers like such. Clean aftertaste, there is just a trace of sweet malts. Pretzels anyone? Medium in body; creamy yet filling mouthfeel, in part, because of the moderately low but natural carbonation. I really like the bulk on the tongue and the creamy, smoothness of the swallow. Very drinkable, I look forward to this beer every year. Ive neglected to sit-down and pen a proper review (i.e., ignore that on-tap review I wrote, for now). This is a very solid offering; it is quite the drinker. Im thankful this beer is quite common in Omaha, for a few weeks every fall anyway. Recommended.
★ 2,035 characters
4.36/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Great nose...smells of rich maltiness...almost like a malt in fact....semi chill hazed copper color....mouthfeel is a little sticky and sweet...flavor is very sweet...on the edge of being over sweet...big caramel sweetness..a hint of apples too...I like rich, sweet beers and this fits the bill....the more I drink this some strong "bready" flavors emerge too...the low ABV is surprising due to the richness...
Not sure how close to style this is but this is damn tasty in my book..
★ 485 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Great nose...smells of rich maltiness...almost like a malt in fact....semi chill hazed copper color....mouthfeel is a little sticky and sweet...flavor is very sweet...on the edge of being over sweet...big caramel sweetness..a hint of apples too...I like rich, sweet beers and this fits the bill....the more I drink this some strong "bready" flavors emerge too...the low ABV is surprising due to the richness...
Not sure how close to style this is but this is damn tasty in my book..
★ 485 characters
4.07/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bright orange-amber, much more the former than the latter, that is as clear as a bell with a few streams of lazy bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. The head is buttery tan and creamydense with good stick-to-it-ivness that leads to a nice array of scrappy lace.
There's a good mix of malt and hops in a nose that's much more balanced than expected. It's lightly toasted caramel malty with a sweet, herbal character. The flavor profile is a near carbon copy of the nose, but is more malty yet and is even more toasted bready with a beautiful commingling of sweet and bitter flavors.
The style demands malt dominance, but the amount of hops in use is impressive and puts the beer in near perfect balance by my taste buds. The abundant flavor hangs on for a while as a modest sweetness blends imperceptably into a nicely dry, bitter finale.
Bob's '47 is good beer. In fact, it's the best Munich Helles Lager that I've had to date and rivals Bully! Porter as Boulevard's best beer. Too bad it's a seasonal. The brewery would do well to make this one available year-round.
★ 1,086 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bright orange-amber, much more the former than the latter, that is as clear as a bell with a few streams of lazy bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. The head is buttery tan and creamydense with good stick-to-it-ivness that leads to a nice array of scrappy lace.
There's a good mix of malt and hops in a nose that's much more balanced than expected. It's lightly toasted caramel malty with a sweet, herbal character. The flavor profile is a near carbon copy of the nose, but is more malty yet and is even more toasted bready with a beautiful commingling of sweet and bitter flavors.
The style demands malt dominance, but the amount of hops in use is impressive and puts the beer in near perfect balance by my taste buds. The abundant flavor hangs on for a while as a modest sweetness blends imperceptably into a nicely dry, bitter finale.
Bob's '47 is good beer. In fact, it's the best Munich Helles Lager that I've had to date and rivals Bully! Porter as Boulevard's best beer. Too bad it's a seasonal. The brewery would do well to make this one available year-round.
★ 1,086 characters
4.45/5 rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Clear and bright burntish orange color, thin sticky yellowed head, minimal spotty lacing.
Aroma is toffeeish, nutty, caramel dipped toasted edging; warming, clean, and soft with an overall sweet malt tone. Quite nice actually.
Taste is malty smooth, akin to becoming dopplebock-like but keeps a slight toastier edge and slight herbal hop backing to it. Mostly sweet with a light mixure of bready malts and caramel smoothness, lifting into some retracting toffee butter and nuts. Finish lends a bit of hoppy herbal grassy atop a slight roasty/toasty chewy malt.
Feel is silky smooth and malty thick, nearly full and buttery, not too cloying in sweetness but definately has a hangin' around-sticky thing to its character and body. A pleasant surprise as it slides right down. This is a keeper by the folks at Boulevard.
Drinkability high and easy going. And at 5% this is a super sessionable brew to behold. Too bad its a seasonal. Astonishly good stuff!
★ 963 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Clear and bright burntish orange color, thin sticky yellowed head, minimal spotty lacing.
Aroma is toffeeish, nutty, caramel dipped toasted edging; warming, clean, and soft with an overall sweet malt tone. Quite nice actually.
Taste is malty smooth, akin to becoming dopplebock-like but keeps a slight toastier edge and slight herbal hop backing to it. Mostly sweet with a light mixure of bready malts and caramel smoothness, lifting into some retracting toffee butter and nuts. Finish lends a bit of hoppy herbal grassy atop a slight roasty/toasty chewy malt.
Feel is silky smooth and malty thick, nearly full and buttery, not too cloying in sweetness but definately has a hangin' around-sticky thing to its character and body. A pleasant surprise as it slides right down. This is a keeper by the folks at Boulevard.
Drinkability high and easy going. And at 5% this is a super sessionable brew to behold. Too bad its a seasonal. Astonishly good stuff!
★ 963 characters
3.92/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is Boulevard's Fall seasonal beer, and their only lager offering.
Pours a clear copper-amber color with a good-sized off-white head that doesn't last long. Smell is malty, slightly sour, with a whiff of hop aroma. Taste is slightly sweet, malty with moderate hop bitterness on the finish. Good mouthfeel, nicely carbonated. Very flavorful and easy to drink. I've had a couple six-packs of this this season, and it goes nicely with most meals. I'll be looking for this each fall.
★ 486 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is Boulevard's Fall seasonal beer, and their only lager offering.
Pours a clear copper-amber color with a good-sized off-white head that doesn't last long. Smell is malty, slightly sour, with a whiff of hop aroma. Taste is slightly sweet, malty with moderate hop bitterness on the finish. Good mouthfeel, nicely carbonated. Very flavorful and easy to drink. I've had a couple six-packs of this this season, and it goes nicely with most meals. I'll be looking for this each fall.
★ 486 characters
3.06/5 rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured a hazy coppery color with a decent white head that disappeared in a snap. Hardly any aroma at all, faint smell of sweetness from the malts, but little more than that.
The sweetness mingles with the hoppy bitterness in the taste. A bit too heavy on the hops to my tastebuds, a bit overwhelming, but still pretty good. Mouthfeel is very crisp, heavily carbonated.
A decent brew. Better than I remember from last year.
★ 428 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured a hazy coppery color with a decent white head that disappeared in a snap. Hardly any aroma at all, faint smell of sweetness from the malts, but little more than that.
The sweetness mingles with the hoppy bitterness in the taste. A bit too heavy on the hops to my tastebuds, a bit overwhelming, but still pretty good. Mouthfeel is very crisp, heavily carbonated.
A decent brew. Better than I remember from last year.
★ 428 characters
3.18/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is Boulevard's seasonal fall offering. I liked the color of this beer when I first poured it, quite a rusty red--very autumn-like. The head is as short lived as autumn colors though, and dissipates quickly; the lacing is equally fleeting. Not much on the nose, some hops, maybe a bit of banana. Taste is also underwhelming, just a basic light beer, not much taste or mouthfeel. I could knock back a half dozen or so of these and not be bloated or overly inebriated, so drinkability is a plus. Overall, a solid beer, but not remarkable (or one which I will seek out regularly).
★ 581 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is Boulevard's seasonal fall offering. I liked the color of this beer when I first poured it, quite a rusty red--very autumn-like. The head is as short lived as autumn colors though, and dissipates quickly; the lacing is equally fleeting. Not much on the nose, some hops, maybe a bit of banana. Taste is also underwhelming, just a basic light beer, not much taste or mouthfeel. I could knock back a half dozen or so of these and not be bloated or overly inebriated, so drinkability is a plus. Overall, a solid beer, but not remarkable (or one which I will seek out regularly).
★ 581 characters
4/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a nice fall amber color appropriate for the season in which it is released. A little off for the smallish head that didn't retain too well.
The smell is not real strong but consists of some floral hops with a bit of banana-like smell as well.
I'm catching that banana in the taste as well. Also a very fresh malt taste at the end. Bitterness is minimal, but that doesn't sound too off on a lager.
The mouthfeel is very smooth all the way with some nice moderate carbonation on the way down.
This is a nice tasting, easy to drink brew which could easily go well in a session in the fall. Even a bit warming considering the fairly low ABV.
I'm not sure if it's my palate, but overall this hasn't been the 'must have' that the last few years of this seasonal has been, otherwise the 5s would be coming out for this one. It's still solid though and I'll enjoy it until the Nutcracker gets here though. Definitely worth a try if you can get it.
★ 970 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a nice fall amber color appropriate for the season in which it is released. A little off for the smallish head that didn't retain too well.
The smell is not real strong but consists of some floral hops with a bit of banana-like smell as well.
I'm catching that banana in the taste as well. Also a very fresh malt taste at the end. Bitterness is minimal, but that doesn't sound too off on a lager.
The mouthfeel is very smooth all the way with some nice moderate carbonation on the way down.
This is a nice tasting, easy to drink brew which could easily go well in a session in the fall. Even a bit warming considering the fairly low ABV.
I'm not sure if it's my palate, but overall this hasn't been the 'must have' that the last few years of this seasonal has been, otherwise the 5s would be coming out for this one. It's still solid though and I'll enjoy it until the Nutcracker gets here though. Definitely worth a try if you can get it.
★ 970 characters
3.34/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
The beer has a nice orange and brown color filling a very clear pour. There is almost no head present.
The smell is very appealling. It has a warm appetizing lager smell that really works hard - fills the room after it pours into the glass.
This is actually quite good - the flavor is very nice. It is smooth, complex - a nice compliment of salty, sweet, nutty. BUT...
The body is quite thin...too thin to really enjoy the flavor of this beer. If it were a bit less watery, then I think this would be an excellent Oktoberfest.
★ 535 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
The beer has a nice orange and brown color filling a very clear pour. There is almost no head present.
The smell is very appealling. It has a warm appetizing lager smell that really works hard - fills the room after it pours into the glass.
This is actually quite good - the flavor is very nice. It is smooth, complex - a nice compliment of salty, sweet, nutty. BUT...
The body is quite thin...too thin to really enjoy the flavor of this beer. If it were a bit less watery, then I think this would be an excellent Oktoberfest.
★ 535 characters
4.18/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Typically, I am not prone to seek out premium Lagers. In fact, with this review I get that silly little empty beer mug sumbol. I had wanted to grab something noteworthy- either odd, like the funky regionals or malt liquors I review or upscale, perhaps a Belgian. Even thought of getting some good brew from home in Wisconsin.
Well, serendipity led me to my new local brewery, Boulevard in KC. The fall special is a Munich Helles Lager, Bob's 47.
Turns out it has a beautiful seasonal color, like leaves changing from yellow to orange. Generously carbonated, the head was fleeting.
I'm not good at subtle aromas, the sweetness and some floral hop notes struck me.
The taste was impressive- malty, slightly nutty and well balanced. An assertive beer that cries out to be served with food.
The finish was clean, perhaps a slightly metallic tang that slips off the tongue.
This is a truly drinkable beer. Often I have heard brewers say that a quality lager is the highest attainment of the brewer's art. Since this beer is a tribute to Bob Werkowitch, 1947 grad of the US Brewers Academy, it is a fitting tribute.
I am glad it is from my local brewery.
★ 1,171 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Typically, I am not prone to seek out premium Lagers. In fact, with this review I get that silly little empty beer mug sumbol. I had wanted to grab something noteworthy- either odd, like the funky regionals or malt liquors I review or upscale, perhaps a Belgian. Even thought of getting some good brew from home in Wisconsin.
Well, serendipity led me to my new local brewery, Boulevard in KC. The fall special is a Munich Helles Lager, Bob's 47.
Turns out it has a beautiful seasonal color, like leaves changing from yellow to orange. Generously carbonated, the head was fleeting.
I'm not good at subtle aromas, the sweetness and some floral hop notes struck me.
The taste was impressive- malty, slightly nutty and well balanced. An assertive beer that cries out to be served with food.
The finish was clean, perhaps a slightly metallic tang that slips off the tongue.
This is a truly drinkable beer. Often I have heard brewers say that a quality lager is the highest attainment of the brewer's art. Since this beer is a tribute to Bob Werkowitch, 1947 grad of the US Brewers Academy, it is a fitting tribute.
I am glad it is from my local brewery.
★ 1,171 characters
3.53/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light copper color, clear in presentation, resembles an orange-hued Marzen. Big rising head, very creamy. Laces cling in big sheet patterns. Nutmeg aroma, slightly nutty with a husky sense. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side, with reasonbly-done almost fluffy carbonation. Fruitier flavors than I expected, bright orange notes, a little fig, mixing in with a lightly caramel maltiness. Hops are not assertive, balance adequately without a distinguishing flavor that identifies type. Thins late in the impression and gets a little boring by the end of the glass.
★ 559 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light copper color, clear in presentation, resembles an orange-hued Marzen. Big rising head, very creamy. Laces cling in big sheet patterns. Nutmeg aroma, slightly nutty with a husky sense. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side, with reasonbly-done almost fluffy carbonation. Fruitier flavors than I expected, bright orange notes, a little fig, mixing in with a lightly caramel maltiness. Hops are not assertive, balance adequately without a distinguishing flavor that identifies type. Thins late in the impression and gets a little boring by the end of the glass.
★ 559 characters
3.77/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz brown bottle
Pours a amber color with a small off-white head. The retention is fairly good with a little lacing. The malty aroma is nice. The taste is also malty and lightly sweet, but overall it is well balanced. The body is medium, nice mouthfeel. Nice fall seasonal brew.
★ 281 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz brown bottle
Pours a amber color with a small off-white head. The retention is fairly good with a little lacing. The malty aroma is nice. The taste is also malty and lightly sweet, but overall it is well balanced. The body is medium, nice mouthfeel. Nice fall seasonal brew.
★ 281 characters
3.92/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours a clear bright amber brown with a short head. Aroma is heavier on the malt, floral hop, and herbal hints. quite tasty. Malt upfront and strong backbone with a great hop balance, and i detect some lemony herbal notes. Really a good smooth drinking medium bodied lager, I could easily see this as a session beer if it wasn't from so far away. Thanks to Nytmare for providing the sample.
★ 390 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours a clear bright amber brown with a short head. Aroma is heavier on the malt, floral hop, and herbal hints. quite tasty. Malt upfront and strong backbone with a great hop balance, and i detect some lemony herbal notes. Really a good smooth drinking medium bodied lager, I could easily see this as a session beer if it wasn't from so far away. Thanks to Nytmare for providing the sample.
★ 390 characters
3.85/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: clear bronze in color, with a short, filmy head.
Aroma: dry, clean, arid, but as it unfolds, showing off more malt, sweetness, spice, though still on the delicate side.
Taste: light hops, full, hearty malt presence. Light in body, but tastily textured.
mmmm, I kept on thinking, mmm!
My notes fall short on technical aspects, I readily admit, but to sum it up, it's an unusual and richly flavored, highly drinkable lager that can be consumed with extraordinary ease and still provide ample pleasure through the abundance of flavor.
Thanks go to Marc77, provider of this brew!
★ 592 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: clear bronze in color, with a short, filmy head.
Aroma: dry, clean, arid, but as it unfolds, showing off more malt, sweetness, spice, though still on the delicate side.
Taste: light hops, full, hearty malt presence. Light in body, but tastily textured.
mmmm, I kept on thinking, mmm!
My notes fall short on technical aspects, I readily admit, but to sum it up, it's an unusual and richly flavored, highly drinkable lager that can be consumed with extraordinary ease and still provide ample pleasure through the abundance of flavor.
Thanks go to Marc77, provider of this brew!
★ 592 characters
4.1/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice, clear orange with a nice off white head. not much lacing. Decent retention. Smells of florally hops, bready malts, and caramel. Well balanced flavor with a nice bready flavor up front, crisp hops leave a nice aftertaste with a slight sourness at the end. Very nice mouthfeel. Enough carbonation to make it crisp, medium body. Slighty oily, but not overly so. These are quite good, and a great alternative to Sam Adams Lager, though slighty more expensive. If I have a few extra bucks, I'll buy these in the fall instead, for my sittin' in front of the TV watchin' the ball game beer. Mmmm.
★ 603 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice, clear orange with a nice off white head. not much lacing. Decent retention. Smells of florally hops, bready malts, and caramel. Well balanced flavor with a nice bready flavor up front, crisp hops leave a nice aftertaste with a slight sourness at the end. Very nice mouthfeel. Enough carbonation to make it crisp, medium body. Slighty oily, but not overly so. These are quite good, and a great alternative to Sam Adams Lager, though slighty more expensive. If I have a few extra bucks, I'll buy these in the fall instead, for my sittin' in front of the TV watchin' the ball game beer. Mmmm.
★ 603 characters
4.1/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to Nytmare for this selection!
It pours a clean deep amber with a thin white head and minimal lacing. A breath of hops supports a fresh bread malty aroma. This is a nicely balanced lager with a lightly sweet, biscuity malt and butterscotch notes. The hops provide a mild citrus bitterness and slight metallic tang. The hops are very complimentary to the malt. A mellow herbal flavor and light dose of warming alcohol meld nicely to this highly gulpable brew.
★ 466 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to Nytmare for this selection!
It pours a clean deep amber with a thin white head and minimal lacing. A breath of hops supports a fresh bread malty aroma. This is a nicely balanced lager with a lightly sweet, biscuity malt and butterscotch notes. The hops provide a mild citrus bitterness and slight metallic tang. The hops are very complimentary to the malt. A mellow herbal flavor and light dose of warming alcohol meld nicely to this highly gulpable brew.
★ 466 characters
3.63/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bright amber-copper color, nice white foamy head that leaves a nice lacing in the glass. Has burnt roasted, malty caramel aromas, sweet and roasty malt flavors, medium bodied with a full and rounded mouthfeel, finishes clean with a nice sweetness. A pretty good fall brew, definitely worth a try.
★ 296 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bright amber-copper color, nice white foamy head that leaves a nice lacing in the glass. Has burnt roasted, malty caramel aromas, sweet and roasty malt flavors, medium bodied with a full and rounded mouthfeel, finishes clean with a nice sweetness. A pretty good fall brew, definitely worth a try.
★ 296 characters
Bob's '47 Oktoberfest from Boulevard Brewing Co.
3.73
out of 5
based on 660 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Light orange peel in hue with a soapy tan head. Barley malts, freshly toasted wheat bread and butter on the nose. Caramel malts, sweet roasted nuts and barley compliment the tender hop bitterness. Simple and extremely well balanced. Orange spices and toasted bread flavoring emerge as this one warms up. Traces of alcohol come to play; a huge caramel malt based backbone. Very well done.
★ 387 characters