Oktoberfest
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

In 2020 this was an excellent beer, but not anymore. Better options are out there; Ayinger and Devil's Backbone for example.

 

 

 

Hello great lakes! Wow, this was one gives a nice bold marzen punch right out of the gate. Mouthfeel is quite nice and juicy taste sticks around for awhile. Really a classic Oktoberfest taste with this one. I feel like if I was given multiple choice I could name this brewery with a blind taste test. Something about a great lakes beer that sticks out to me. Definitely satisfied with a purchase of this 6 pack. I forget how much I enjoy Oktoberfest beers.

12 oz bottle exp date 11/1/23 into a dimple mug.
L: Pours rusty deep amber with a thin creamy off white head that goes down to edge foam, light steady carbonation, no lacing.
S: Caramelized malts, raisins, brown bread, lightly floral, a hint of alcohol with warming.
T: Bright over ripe citrus, leafy, a hint of grapes, toasted grains, lightly sweet & malty then rich caramel & citrus that linger. Fairly fruity with plum & skin. Slightly earthy with mild bitterness.
F: Bright and smooth medium-heavy mouthfeel with a robust middle and a long slightly dry finish.
O: This beer stands out in the Okto crowd due to its magnificent taste, feel and finish. Feels a touch warming as well. A perfect Marzen for cool autumn weather. It is outstanding in its style.

Nice

Drinking from the bottle so I can’t see it or describe the head.

I don’t smell anything. Blame my nose.

Tastes roasty and malty with just a little hoppy bite on the back of the tongue.

Nice Märzen.

Purchased as part of a mixed 4 pack from Wegmans in Collegeville, PA on 8/28/23! No visible bottle date, but a printed enjoy by date of 11/1/23.

L- Clear copper color.

S- Caramel and roasted malt.

T- Very well balanced hop and roasted
malt flavor. Hop bitterness up front
followed by an almost creamy caramel
flavor.

F- Very smooth, slightly crisp. Fine
carbonation.

O- Wow! What a fantastic Oktoberfest!

Bottle from trader joes

 

 

Pours out of the bottle a crystal clear dark amber with minimal head. The smells are wonderful that include toasty malt and maybe some carmel. Tastes follow the scents with some breadiness and spices. Only draw back was that it felt thin in terms of the mouthfeel, but luckily I don't drink beer for that reason! Fantastic Märzen!

APPEARANCE: Deep and clean amber, with a pleasing off-white head and limited lace.

NOSE: Warm, toasty Autumnal caramel and toffee. Very nice.

TASTE: Rich, sweet, malty. Pretty big flavor punch here, full of toasty malt and a slightly hopped zing at the finish. A bigger flavor profile than traditional Marzens, and a surprisingly enjoyable and unique take on the style. Really liked.

 

Pours a light opaque brown with a small head. Slightly sour and malty aroma, not very much. Touch of sourness in the taste, mildly sweet maltiness, some caramel, very little bitterness. Medium body. A very good Oktoberfest.

Great Lakes is a brewery that I am growing to appreciate more and more. I have never been disappointed by any beer of theirs that I have sampled, and their Oktoberfest is no exception. This is a Marzen style beer, that I would assume many US drinkers would associate with the Oktoberfest style. Dark burnt orange in appearance, this beer pours with a rather quickly subsiding head that doesn't leave much lacing. The aroma offers caramel and roasted malt notes that are very inviting. Taste does not disappoint, offering the same malt notes with a pleasant caramel undertone. This is another quality offering from Great Lakes worth seeking out.