Octoberfest Beer
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- From:
- Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Märzen
Ranked #337 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #54,366 - Avg:
- 3.67 | pDev: 11.72%
- Reviews:
- 526
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 12, 2025
- Added:
- Oct 02, 2001
- Wants:
- 32
- Gots:
- 222
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
The character and complexity of Harpoon Octoberfest comes from the malt and hops. When looking at a freshly poured Harpoon Octoberfest, you will notice the garnet-red color with a firm, creamy head. The beer’s color is from a blend of Munich, chocolate, and pale malt. The thick head results in part from wheat malt added to the grist. The hop aroma of this beer is not overpowering but it is present. Tettnang hops add a subtle spice nose that blends with the malt character. This beer is full-bodied, smooth, and malty. Willamettehops are used to provide a gentle bitterness and to balance any residual sweetness present from the malt. The finish is soft and malty with a mild bitterness.
30 IBU
30 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
3.5/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Copper color, medium off-white head. The aroma of caramel, grain, and bread. Malty taste with caramel and hoppy notes. Balancing hoppy bitternbess.Decent marzen.
Mar 12, 2025Reviewed by Beech105 from Missouri
4.65/5 rDev +26.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev +26.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I really enjoyed this beer. Purchased at Harpoon Brewery while visiting Boston. Beautiful copper color, great smell, very full taste. Great Marzen Oktoberfest Bier, I still prefer a Festbier instead of a Nareen though.
Sep 05, 2023
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
3.8/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Though there wasn't really much that differentiates this Oktoberfest bier when compared to others I've had, I did enjoy it quiet a bit. Maybe it was because I had it in one of my own monster Oktoberfest mugs? Meh, who knows? At any rate, I found it visually appealing, not very much to sign about to the nose, but it had a malty forward character that was very distinctive to the style...at least to me...
Nov 05, 2022
Reviewed by BitteNochEinWeissbier from Pennsylvania
3.67/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
16 oz can
Glassware: 0.5 L Pokal
Temp at Pour: 54.7 F
ABV: 5.3 %
IBUs: 30
Look:
The color is a clear dark copper with red hues that just might come across as garnet. The head is a creamy light khaki that starts at about 2 finger high and then slowly dissolves to a thin cover. Lacing is good.
Smell:
Sweet lightly toasted caramel with some doughy bread. Some notes of earth and spicy hops, especially towards th end. The Classic American Okto aromas.
Taste:
Initial taste is one of toasty and bready malts with a light dash of caramel. This is followed by earthy notes and then spicy ones as well. Some hay can be detected. There is an underlying soft note of dark fruits, almost like Luxardo cherries, but it is not distracting. The sip finishes lightly malty (bready, really) and spicy.
Feel:
Crisp and smooth. The body feels about medium-light. Maybe a shade lighter.
Overall:
A classic and prototypical American Standard Oktoberfest/Märzen. And a decent one at that. I find that the flavors in this beer make me think of a spiced (amber) ale This absolutely would be a good beer for mid to late fall.
Oct 04, 2022Glassware: 0.5 L Pokal
Temp at Pour: 54.7 F
ABV: 5.3 %
IBUs: 30
Look:
The color is a clear dark copper with red hues that just might come across as garnet. The head is a creamy light khaki that starts at about 2 finger high and then slowly dissolves to a thin cover. Lacing is good.
Smell:
Sweet lightly toasted caramel with some doughy bread. Some notes of earth and spicy hops, especially towards th end. The Classic American Okto aromas.
Taste:
Initial taste is one of toasty and bready malts with a light dash of caramel. This is followed by earthy notes and then spicy ones as well. Some hay can be detected. There is an underlying soft note of dark fruits, almost like Luxardo cherries, but it is not distracting. The sip finishes lightly malty (bready, really) and spicy.
Feel:
Crisp and smooth. The body feels about medium-light. Maybe a shade lighter.
Overall:
A classic and prototypical American Standard Oktoberfest/Märzen. And a decent one at that. I find that the flavors in this beer make me think of a spiced (amber) ale This absolutely would be a good beer for mid to late fall.
Reviewed by Specialmick from Connecticut
3.46/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.46/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look...Clear copper brown with a caramel looking head and likeness.
Smell...faint caramel smell with a light hoppy citrus and malt
Taste...malty sweetness out the front then a cascade of spices of the marzen variety
Feel...Thin with low carbonation adding to the finish of dryness.
Overall...A classic i always enjoy. I have not had this in a few years and taste very close to what i have enjoyed for decades. Very drinkable and true to the festbier style. Great with food
Nov 21, 2021Smell...faint caramel smell with a light hoppy citrus and malt
Taste...malty sweetness out the front then a cascade of spices of the marzen variety
Feel...Thin with low carbonation adding to the finish of dryness.
Overall...A classic i always enjoy. I have not had this in a few years and taste very close to what i have enjoyed for decades. Very drinkable and true to the festbier style. Great with food
Reviewed by 1009 from Massachusetts
3.72/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.72/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The Marzen tour continues at the Harpoon Brewery. This was a pleasure to drink. A classic marzen deep brown color with malty aromas. The bready warm goodness warms your soul, typical for most marzens, but where this one differs is it’s sessionable nature. You don’t get that filling feeling and anticipate each sip with an eagerness. Not too sweet too, just a good old fashioned marzen lager with a smooth finish.
Sep 25, 2021
Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts
3.43/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.43/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a reddish brown with off white head. Caramel candy aroma. Some light toast as well. It's not the most full bodied. It's a little light weight but has some light roasted coffee notes to go with the crusty bread character. A touch of floral hops as well. This is fine in that it has no outright flaws, but it's lacking in flavor which is not something I want to continue to consume.
Aug 31, 2021
Rated by brother_rebus from Maine
3.56/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.56/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Not bad. Missing something on the back end.
Sep 27, 2020
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