-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Oktoberfest
Brooklyn Brewery
- From:
- Brooklyn Brewery
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Märzen
Ranked #314 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #24,606 - Avg:
- 3.64 | pDev: 12.09%
- Reviews:
- 846
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 20, 2023
- Added:
- Sep 30, 2001
- Wants:
- 41
- Gots:
- 276
When Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria wanted to celebrate his wedding engagement in 1810, he did what any good Bavarian prince would – he threw a beer festival. Both the festival and the special beer served there became known as Oktoberfest. Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style, fullbodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Kendo:
Reviewed by Kendo from New York
3.48/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.48/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Body is clear, dark copper with a 1-finger khaki/tan-colored head with decent retention. Slow-rising bubbles. Some splotchy lacing throughout.
S: Strong whiff of toasted cereal grains immediately after the pour. Also fruity or florally in the nose. In fact, minutes after pouring it, a fruit fly landed on the edge of my glass.
T: Immediate first impression is cereal grains and a strong metallic taste. Also some fruity flavors (berries, perhaps?) earlhy on. The metallic taste lingers on the back of the tongue and sides of the mouth after the first few sips. As it warms a little, however, it finishes more cleanly -- i.e., that metallic taste subsides or at least is no longer evident.
M: Light in heft; I thought it was a tad bit thin in overall feel. There is a nice creaminess to it, however.
D: Easily quaffed once you get past that initial taste of metal. It is light and has a nice creamy feel to it, so it goes down fast.
Notes: I went back and forth on the scoring in a couple categories -- taste and mouthfeel. Early on, the taste score deserves a 3 b/c of the strong metallic taste, but that seems to subside and it tastes more like the malt you'd expect after a few sips. So I gave it the 3.5. The mouthfeel really is a tad bit light and thin, I thought, but it wins points on creaminess. So I figured averaging out the two categories (T & M) with a 3.5 in taste and a 3.0 in mouthfeel was appropriate. Ideally I'd suggest this beer deserves about a 3.25 in each category and an overall score around 3.5 (it did look nice; hence the higher appearance score). It's not a bad beer at all, but I've had better Oktoberfests.
Nov 02, 2007S: Strong whiff of toasted cereal grains immediately after the pour. Also fruity or florally in the nose. In fact, minutes after pouring it, a fruit fly landed on the edge of my glass.
T: Immediate first impression is cereal grains and a strong metallic taste. Also some fruity flavors (berries, perhaps?) earlhy on. The metallic taste lingers on the back of the tongue and sides of the mouth after the first few sips. As it warms a little, however, it finishes more cleanly -- i.e., that metallic taste subsides or at least is no longer evident.
M: Light in heft; I thought it was a tad bit thin in overall feel. There is a nice creaminess to it, however.
D: Easily quaffed once you get past that initial taste of metal. It is light and has a nice creamy feel to it, so it goes down fast.
Notes: I went back and forth on the scoring in a couple categories -- taste and mouthfeel. Early on, the taste score deserves a 3 b/c of the strong metallic taste, but that seems to subside and it tastes more like the malt you'd expect after a few sips. So I gave it the 3.5. The mouthfeel really is a tad bit light and thin, I thought, but it wins points on creaminess. So I figured averaging out the two categories (T & M) with a 3.5 in taste and a 3.0 in mouthfeel was appropriate. Ideally I'd suggest this beer deserves about a 3.25 in each category and an overall score around 3.5 (it did look nice; hence the higher appearance score). It's not a bad beer at all, but I've had better Oktoberfests.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Beertsipper from New York
2.99/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
2.99/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Very faint smell of caramel, brown bread, spices, toffee. Taste is exactly as faint. Not getting much out of this one. Mediocre at best Won't buy again.
Oct 20, 2023Reviewed by DarkPassport
3.64/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
3.64/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: On draft. Beautiful copper, clear, but minimal head. No lacing but the ring hung around and floated on the top of the beer all the way down.
Aroma and Taste: Weak aroma but nominal taste of malt, caramel, and lightly toasted bread with crust. Toffee. The smell had a musk of damp autumn leaves.
Feel: High carbonation. Crisp. Medium body.
Overall: Good Marzen.
Oct 10, 2023Aroma and Taste: Weak aroma but nominal taste of malt, caramel, and lightly toasted bread with crust. Toffee. The smell had a musk of damp autumn leaves.
Feel: High carbonation. Crisp. Medium body.
Overall: Good Marzen.
Rated by ThePold from Virginia
4.6/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.6/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I liked it. Buy more, I say.
Sep 17, 2023Reviewed by BitteNochEinWeissbier from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
1.5 x 12 oz bottles
Best By Date: 06/02/2022
Glassware: 0.5 L Festmug
Look:
A rich and somewhat dark copper that resembles a slightly burnished (US) penny. A 2-finger high creamy off-white head dissipates to thin but consistent cover. Lacing is good.
Smell:
Sweet bready malts, some sourdough, and a touch of caramel. Some earth-like notes can be detected. Scents of hay are also present.
Taste:
Starts off with lightly-toasted caramel that is joined by toasted bread and crusts. A light spiciness and some earthy notes show up and linger into the aftertaste. The sip does dry as it progresses and ends on a somewhat dry and mild spicy note.
Feel:
Crisp and just about clean. The body is medium.
Overall:
A fine American Mãrzen. The sweetness is nicely restrained. The bitterness is somewhat higher than most of the German Märzens, but isn't really too much nor is the bitterness anywhere near the level of some other American ones. I might not seek this one out, but I'd have it again.
I do wonder how much of the bitterness faded since this beer was fresh (1 year ago). I did have a some year-old Bell's Octoberfest recently and that beer's bitterness was noticeably more prominent than the bitterness here.
Nov 24, 2022Best By Date: 06/02/2022
Glassware: 0.5 L Festmug
Look:
A rich and somewhat dark copper that resembles a slightly burnished (US) penny. A 2-finger high creamy off-white head dissipates to thin but consistent cover. Lacing is good.
Smell:
Sweet bready malts, some sourdough, and a touch of caramel. Some earth-like notes can be detected. Scents of hay are also present.
Taste:
Starts off with lightly-toasted caramel that is joined by toasted bread and crusts. A light spiciness and some earthy notes show up and linger into the aftertaste. The sip does dry as it progresses and ends on a somewhat dry and mild spicy note.
Feel:
Crisp and just about clean. The body is medium.
Overall:
A fine American Mãrzen. The sweetness is nicely restrained. The bitterness is somewhat higher than most of the German Märzens, but isn't really too much nor is the bitterness anywhere near the level of some other American ones. I might not seek this one out, but I'd have it again.
I do wonder how much of the bitterness faded since this beer was fresh (1 year ago). I did have a some year-old Bell's Octoberfest recently and that beer's bitterness was noticeably more prominent than the bitterness here.
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle
clear, dark copper in color. aroma and taste is bready malts, a bit sweet in the ifnish. thin to medium bodied, it's pretty easy drinking.
Nov 06, 2022clear, dark copper in color. aroma and taste is bready malts, a bit sweet in the ifnish. thin to medium bodied, it's pretty easy drinking.
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
3.57/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.57/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From the can, it pours a clear amber color with a modest white head that eventually reduces to a thin layer and leaves lacing. The nose gets a dose of caramel malts. The mouth gets a tase of caramel malts.
Oct 07, 2022Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
3.52/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into a pint glass. Best by January 2023, so this years release.
Looks very good. Reddish glassy dark amber body. The head shrinks to a thick ring and covering, though not much lacing.
Strong caramel malt aroma.
On tasting, a little unbalanced with 5he win going to the malt. A little sweet.
Mouth medium. The finish is non too pleasing for this palate, seems quite lively instead of smooth.
Overall, a just about okay Marzen Oktoberfest. Germany has nothing to worry about.
Sep 26, 2022Looks very good. Reddish glassy dark amber body. The head shrinks to a thick ring and covering, though not much lacing.
Strong caramel malt aroma.
On tasting, a little unbalanced with 5he win going to the malt. A little sweet.
Mouth medium. The finish is non too pleasing for this palate, seems quite lively instead of smooth.
Overall, a just about okay Marzen Oktoberfest. Germany has nothing to worry about.
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.92/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz bottle poured into a stein
A- pours a clear deep amber color with a one-finger foamy white head that reduces to a thin film on top
S- nose is a bit muted at first but eventually opens up with some caramel, dry leaves, toasted bread crust and a hint of floral hops
T- sweet and malty up front with notes of caramel and toasted brown bread. Mid-palate gives some floral hops before finishing with a hit of sweet caramel that lingers long after
M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a semi-sweet crisp finish
O- full flavored and well balanced
Sep 23, 2022A- pours a clear deep amber color with a one-finger foamy white head that reduces to a thin film on top
S- nose is a bit muted at first but eventually opens up with some caramel, dry leaves, toasted bread crust and a hint of floral hops
T- sweet and malty up front with notes of caramel and toasted brown bread. Mid-palate gives some floral hops before finishing with a hit of sweet caramel that lingers long after
M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a semi-sweet crisp finish
O- full flavored and well balanced
Reviewed by cambabeer from New York
3.79/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Mostly clear reddish brown body. Just offwhite head, about 3/4 inch worth that sticks around for a while. Floral hops, raisins, bread on the nose. Taste follows with toasted malts, a bit of flowery grass and fruit on the back. Medium bodied.
Sep 23, 2022Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear, dark amber, almost copper color with a moderate off-white head. SRM of 14-15. (4.00)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of brown bread malt, rich caramel, some scotch and booze with darker fruit mixed within. Rich and boozy.
Flavor: Moderate flavors of brown bread malt, rich caramel, booze, scotch, and some dark sweet fruit undertones. A sweet, boozy finish.
Feel: Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation, somewhat appreciable. Soft, but boozy-like flavor lingers.
It's too boozy, not unlike Bitburger's Festbier without the authentic German flavors.
Overall: A decent Oktoberfest here. Brown bread and caramel malts mixed with scotch and booze. Sort of reminds me of a light Dirty Bastard from Founders. Enjoyable and flavorful, but I think it sort of misses the style a bit. (Rating: 3.63)
Sep 21, 2022Aroma: Moderate aromas of brown bread malt, rich caramel, some scotch and booze with darker fruit mixed within. Rich and boozy.
Flavor: Moderate flavors of brown bread malt, rich caramel, booze, scotch, and some dark sweet fruit undertones. A sweet, boozy finish.
Feel: Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation, somewhat appreciable. Soft, but boozy-like flavor lingers.
It's too boozy, not unlike Bitburger's Festbier without the authentic German flavors.
Overall: A decent Oktoberfest here. Brown bread and caramel malts mixed with scotch and booze. Sort of reminds me of a light Dirty Bastard from Founders. Enjoyable and flavorful, but I think it sort of misses the style a bit. (Rating: 3.63)
Oktoberfest from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
1875 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!