Oktoberfest
West Side Brewing

12oz can stamped 07/06/23 (2 months old) poured into a mug at fridge temp 5.2% ABV 22 IBU per can. The beer pours bright, light copper tinted amber with khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and uneven layer leaving streaks of lacing. The aroma is mild with toasted malt, slight toffee and earthy hop notes. The taste is lightly sweet toasted, nutty malt with moderately bitter herbal hops winning the second half. The mouthfeel is thin bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Cleanly lagered. Overall, not enough malt depth to be transcendent as a Märzen, but infinitely drinkable. If this were available locally and I had a keg setup, this would be a prime contender for fall house beer.

Pours clear golden dark-honey amber into my one and only Guinness glass. Four-finger head(!) that settles to a thin layer.

Smells a little hoppy and fruity.

Tastes crisp, a little bready, a little hoppy but not bitter. A little sweetness stays on the lips. Nice. Very drinkable.

Feels a little fizzy. Not overly so. Nice mouthfeel. Nicely balanced with the flavor.

Overall, quite good. A hoppier version of lager flavor but not heavy or bitter.

This is the second Oktoberfest I’ve tried in 2 days. Here’s to Märzens!

Also: I think I’ve really liked everything from West Side.

 

Another surprise beer in my package from my brother in Ohio.
Poured out a goldish color with a white head. The smell was an Oktoberfest beer smell. Good beer and a nice find.

 

Surprisingly, I am rating this higher than everyone before me, which is unusual for me. It makes me question whether they changed anything between prior years, since 2022 is my first experience with West Side's Oktoberfest (and the can is certainly different than the one in the photo).

I would consider this an above average Oktoberfest, particularly for an American made version. It's not offensive, mostly conforms to the style, and it is enjoyable. No weird hops carrying throughout, which is always a personal pet peeve of mine in a marzen. To me, this has a lot more flavor than something like Founder's Oktoberfeest. Didn't notice it to be particularly thin, although it is less full bodied than compared to a traditional German Oktoberfest. Overall, pretty enjoyable for what it is (an American made marzen).

Typical amber/copper/ reddish color. Moderate carbonation with light off white heaf that faded within a minute or so. A bit of apple juice aroma that faded as the beer warmed. Mild taste and had a slight watery feel. A modest bitter, dry finish. Pretty good beer and would drink again.

Canned on: 07-11-22

A - Dark medium caramel colored pour with an even layer of frothy, creamy foam floating on top. Carbonation is light and steady.

S - Toasted bready caramel with light earthiness.

T - Light toasted caramel and finishes on the maltier side with some light earthiness.

M - Medium body with light carbonation.

O - Pretty decent.

Pouring a chilled 12 oz can into my .5L dimple mug. Date stamp 7/22/21. Part of a swap with @manta200. thank you!
The beer pours a clear chestnut color with a creamy khaki colored head of 2cm. This foam settles down a a thin edge layer soon after the pour.
Aroma is mild with some caramel and a a little toasted grain note. Very mild nose though. Not any hop profile that I note either.
The first sip reveals a medium to light body with fine and mild spacious carbonation. The texture is thin and a little watery.
Flavor is some grainy malts, toasted bread and some caramel, but again these flavors are mild. The finish does reveal some hop presence with a bit of an herbal tea note and slightly floral too. This dries out my palate on each swallow. This is a fine oktoberfest and not flawed, but is very mild on flavor and aroma. Id give higher ratings with a little more "umph" on each of these categories.

 

Average fest bier, but not great. Looks like it should....but just a bit flat and unexciting ... There are so many flavorful Octoberfest style beers out there...this one is decent...but that's it

 

 

Had it many times, at the brewery and from the can at home.
Slightly cloudy medium amber color with a finger thick dense head, fair retention.
Toasted malt aroma with notes of caramel.
Nose follows suit with a subtle sweet and bitter finish.
Light to medium body with moderate carbonation.
I like it.

12 ounce can, canned on 07/25/19. Can says 5.3% ABV. A big thanks to Brutaltruth and Darlene for this fine Cincy brew! Served in a dimpled mug, the beer pours a mostly clear orange/amber color with almost an inch off-white head. Head retention is good and there's a decent amount of lacing. The brew smells mostly like bready and caramel malt, along with some herbal hops and apple. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the grainy/bready malt, caramel, herbal hop, dried apple/apple chip flavors all being well balanced with each other. Mouthfeel is medium, it's easy to drink and a bit slick with moderate carbonation. I thought it was a solid all around Oktoberfest, certainly worth a try if you come across some!

 

From the 12 oz can in a snifter. This mighty fine brew pours a
luminous glowing ruby orange with a nice head of white foam
that subsides to a thick ring, thin pooling layer, and sports
some decent light lacing. Nose of toasted caramel malts and
breaded malts with faint herbal hop notes. Flavors follow the
nose with toasted caramel and medium dark breaded malts
over a light dashing of herbal hop notes with a hint of
stone fruit (peaches) and light brown sugars. Nice mouth
feel; medium light body, smooth, light carbonation, and
a sweet caramel finish.

Another nice brew from a mighty fine little brewery!

Cheers

Look - Clear amber color with a slight disappearing head
Smell - grainy toasted bready malts with a sweet caramel scent
Taste - Not as much taste as scent, slight caramel more toasted bread
Feel - medium body but the carbonation is way to low, almost flat.
Overall - Pretty good but needs to have more carbonation and could use a little more taste