Oktoberfest
Shale Creek Brewing

My Dad & I are big craft beer fans (as well as my Father-in-Law, but he wasn't available to go to dinner this evening) so when planning a recent trip to visit my parents, my Mom suggested we try out a fairly new barbecue place and its adjacent brewery. Being naturally inclined toward Oktoberfests, my Dad, wife, & I ordered a pitcher of their Oktoberfest.

This beer pours an off-white frothy head that dissipates moderately quickly to a thin lacing that is retained. The beer itself is clear and a coppery amber color with high carbonation visible. 3.75/5 The aroma, typical of the American Oktoberfest style, is very sweet with caramel, wheat bread, caramalt, and light toast coming through, as well as a bit of grassy hops to even things out. The hop profile actually comes through quite nicely here and cuts into the sweetness well. 3.75/5 The flavor follows the aroma dead on. Caramel and wheat bread come out right way providing a punch of sweetness. Following this sweet introduction, light toast and cereal grains shine through before the grassy hops show up, providing just a hint of hop bitterness. The bitterness does not linger on the palate after swallowing. 3.75/5 There is a moderate carbonation burn right up front that dissipates fairly quickly to a lightly drying mouthfeel. This drying does linger on the palate for a bit after swallowing. Medium bodied in stature. 3.5/5 Very enjoyable Oktoberfest, but a bit more carbonated than I'm used to for the style. The distinctive creaminess of the Marzen/Oktoberfest style is lacking here, rating drinking more like a Munich Gold lager that I had recently in Denver. Regardless of the lack of creaminess, this beer still went over nicely with all three of us splitting the pitcher. 3.75/5