Forged in Fire
Alewife Brewing

 

 

On tap at George Keeley, NYC. Some confusion regarding the name of beer and ABV. It is listed as “Oktoberfest” and at 5.5% ABV at the bar, however, it is titled “Forged in Fire” and at 4.8% ABV on BA and on the Alewife website. I will go with the latter.
Pours a clear copper color. A good sized frothy and soft looking head displays good retention. The rings of lacing throughout are a good look.
The aroma showcases sweet cereal grains, amber Vienna and Munich like malts, toasted, nutty and biscuity and with notes of honey and toffee. Hops aromas are earthy, floral and fruity.
The taste opens with malt sweetness, highlighting toasty and biscuity amber malts, and caramel. Well supported by fruity and floral hops which impart an orchard fruit like character, along with a developing earthy and grassy spice. A touch of bitterness in the finish adds balance.
Medium bodied, crisp and with a lively carbonation. A dry and crisp finish displays a light lingering bitterness.
Solid Oktoberfest all around. I would have it again.

 

A: The beer is clear orange-amber in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short white head that quickly settled down, leaving lots of lacing on the surface and a collar consisting of medium-sized bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of toasted malts are present in the nose along with bits of caramel.
T: The taste follows the smell and is quite malty with flavors of toasted malts and notes of caramel. There are faint hints of spicy hops and a very light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels a touch more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is a very nice representation of the style as it is nice and malty but is still quite drinkable.

Serving type: can