Hoptoberfest IPA
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac Hoptoberfest 6% alcohol at room temp poured into a sham pinsener glass. Big white rocky head over a rich golden body. The aroma is a modern IPA hop blast. On drinking, a good lacing remains. The flavor is of modern aroma/flavor hops with a modest malt body. There is minimal bitterness in the taste and aftertaste (I'd prefer more bitterness). This was purchased in an Oktoberfest variety half case. This Hoptoberfest and the Schwarzbeer are the two good entries out of four.

Pours a toasted straw color with a small off white head. A bit soapy, some lacing.

The aroma is of savory hops, lots of onion. Not what I would look for in a hoppy fest bier.

Onion and peppery hops; savory. Light toasted malt. Nothing really German about this beer, more East Coast IPA.

Moderate feel with fizzy carbonation. Lightly bitter on the palate. Drinks fine.

Not sure what Saranac was going for with this beer. Doesn't remind me of any type of German beer. Old school east coast IPA sure. Fairly dank.

 

this is approaching a year old right now, so its no surprise it was super faded when we had it, disappointingly old, but hat happens with my parents and the mixed pack sometimes, cant complain, was excited to have something new from these guys regardless of how long its been in the back of the beer fridge. the beer isnt bad, and i like the concept i guess, a maltier meatier ipa with some german hops in the mix. it makes sense on paper, but this isnt holding up, its oxidized and the hops have devolved to nothing more than bitter. there is the old problematic metallic thing i used to get in a lot of the saranac hoppy beers too, even though they have gotten objectively better in recent years, its here and its real in this one, a product of its age im sure. hard to be too critical here, its not the beers fault, and there are still some elements to like, a little herbal layer, some toasted even caramelized grain richness, and a medium body thats well carbonated, but this is faded into oblivion and both my brother and i end up dumping out about half our bottles. cool to see what they were going for here, and hope to try it fresh this fall if they brew it again. scores reflect more potential than my actual drinking experience in this instance, its only fair...

Poured a 1 finger light beige head that diminished to a thin head that completely covered and clung nicely. Look is a crystal clear rich golden. Smell is just a mild floral. Taste is floral and lemon peel with a little orange peel. Very dry from start to finish. Linger is all lemon peel with only a slight bready malt. At 1st the lemon peel was to prevalent and dry for my taste but then it burnt off with the warm and gave way to a proper short semi dry malty linger. Overall I was ready to right this one off but it turned out to be adequate. I would probably classify it as a pale ale, not an IPA. I'll enjoy the 3 in the 12 pack, but will not seek it out next fall.

After a frustrating day, I'm opening the Hoptoberfest IPA, hoping to unwind a little. It's a normal transparent amber color. The hops are immediately present in the nose, and carry into the flavor. Midway through it does mix with a little bit of maltiness. I enjoy this, and could see drinking more of these.

 

 

 

9/9/2020

Info: BBD 12/31/2020, 12 oz. glass bottle into pint glass, 60*F at sea level

L: Brilliant light gold. Thin, impersistent head. Minimal lacing.
S: Piney, light citrus. Apple, vinegar. Very light pepper.
T: Strong, piney hop bitterness with lots of grapefruit. Apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and light caramel grain notes.
F: Medium-bodied. Smooth.

Overall: Succeeds as an IPA, not getting too much Oktoberfest beyond the hints of apple cider vinegar.

 

 

Obtained in Saranac's German Roots mixed pack. Not sure if available separately. Poured into a tulip/snifter style glass.

L: 4.25 A clear deep orange. A lingering white head leaving behind lacing. Entrancing carbonation. This looks great, everyone.
S: 3.75. Quite malty with citrusy fruits. The hops are there but not overwhelming. Everything blends together well.
T: 4.25 My goodness, does this IPA do justice to the original style. Piney bitterness. But otherwise it follows the nose. And that's exactly what you want. Citruses. Biscuty malt.
F: 4. Medium bodied.
O: 4.25 This has all the hallmarks of a classic IPA. If you're tired of the trendy juice bombs emulating the IPAs coming out of New England, this is the beer to seek out.