Oktoberfest
Steep Ravine Brewing Company

Have only had one beer from Ravinia prior to this one -- and reviewing my notes on that one are rather telling.

Canned Aug. 09 -- no year (?). Tall can with no volume marked (guessing 16 oz) poured into my tall Becher.

L -- Clear copper color with a sudsy, light tan head that settles quickly.

S -- Herbal noble hops dominate, touch of bread back.

T -- Very spicy, peppery character up front. Some stone fruit and caramel malt fighting for recognition. The spicy, pepperiness lingers through the finish into the aftertaste with the fruit esters keeping pace.

F -- Mouthfeel is soft to lightly syrupy with a medium body.

O -- Not very Marzen-like (no umlauts for Ravinia) at all. Reminds me of pub-brewed amber ales of the '90s.

The can's label speaks of Vienna & Munich malts "featured" (much like the other Ravinia lager I reviewed), in this batch, but the malt character seems heavy on the caramel, not melanoidin breadiness (much like the other Ravinia lager I reviewed) -- when it fights the odd hop or alcohol spiciness. Just doesn't fit the style.

Russet amber tone, two fingers of foam, sticky low collar of lace, wispy cirrus skim across the glassy surface. Aroma is bready and malt forward, touch of floral hop character. Taste is malty and bittersweet, bread crusts. Round and medium bodied, ample carb, touch of astringent alcohol. Overall it tastes pretty good, that astringency needs some fine tuning though.