Oktoberfest
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Copper color. Very clear. Slight head fades into whisps.

Yeasty bread and a little caramel.

Toasty caramel with a spicy finish.

Creamy feel with some tingle from carbonation.

Really nice beer.

This is the best American Oktoberfest (Marzen style), bar none, IMHO, and I’ve tasted a lot of ‘em. The only German version that competes with it, and may get the nod even though it’s brewed 27km from Munich, is Ayinger. I don’t buy much else in this style anymore. Key here is big malty flavor and clean lager taste. 6.5% abv ain’t bad either, although you don’t taste it.

From the can, the pour is copper colored with an ample amount of carbonation. The taste is rich roasted malt followed by a touch of molasses, whole grain bread crust, along with a subtle hint of charred smoke. In general, this was well made Oktoberfest beer. Cheers! A-

Not usually a big fan of Oktoberfest, I usually prefer pumpkins - but this is certainly one of the best I have had. Very crisp with great malt and spice notes that give it that harvest celebration feel.

 

 

 

Best By: 11-5-24

A - Caramel colored pour with light carbonation and no lacing whatsoever. :o(

S - Toasted caramel malt and bread crust permeate the nose.

T - Follows the nose (go figure, right?) - All bread crust and toasted caramel malt with minimal hops and a light amount of earthiness on the back side. Starts sweet and ends sweet but after the sip some earthy bitterness pokes through over top of bread crust.

M - Medium body with gentle prickly carbonation and a wet finish.

O - This beer is rock solid.

Aroma: Toasty caramel malt notes dominate the aroma, with subtle hints of floral and grassy noble hop undertones.

Color: The beer pours a clear, burnt orange/amber color, reminiscent of a warm autumn evening.

Visual Appeal: The moderate head settles quickly, leaving minimal lacing. However, the beer’s rich, malty color and smooth appearance make up for the lack of head retention. The initial head is moderate, but it dissipates rapidly, leaving a thin, creamy layer.

Flavor: The flavor profile is characterized by smooth, toasted caramel malt, balanced by lightly bitter noble hop notes with hints of floral and grassy undertones. The beer’s sweetness is well-restrained, allowing the malty flavors to shine.

Mouth Feel: The mouthfeel is light to medium-bodied, with a smooth, creamy texture and a gentle carbonation that complements the beer’s flavors. The finish is satisfying and balanced, with a subtle linger of toasted malt and noble hops.

Overall, Great Lakes Brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is a masterful interpretation of the style, showcasing a perfect balance of malty sweetness and noble hop bitterness. Its smooth, creamy texture and autumnal flavors make it an excellent choice for sipping on a crisp fall evening.

Good. A little sweeter than others in the style.

 

 

Best in class. Well, what is available in the Midwest anyway. Had this about 2O some years ago. Now, that I am revisting 'balanced beers' it stood out as a must try. Superbly balanced. Cheers!

12 oz can poured into a tulip pint glass. Pours a clear burnt orange/amber color with a moderate head and not much lacing. Aroma and flavor feature toasty caramel malt, caramel but not overly sweet, and lightly bitter noble hop notes (floral/grassy/hint of citrus). Solid Märzen (though not quite top tier).

I love this malty Marzen-style beer from Great Lakes. Has a light, reddish brown color, with a fluffy head which settles down completely. Not much smell, but tastes smooth, malty, a little sweet, with a balanced, satisfying aftertaste with a light showing of hops. Lightly carbonated with a good mouthfeel.

Carmel, malt, extremely smooth yet still full of flavor

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours deep red orange with a small white head. Smells of bright fruit and some caramelized grain. Tastes of caramelized grain with nice bright fruit. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a very good beer.