Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest: Review

Original Oktoberfest

Amber Marzen

5.8% abv

Bottle size: 330ml

Best before date: 6/12

$10.99 a six pack

I stopped a bar the other day (first time in a long time) and they had this beer on tap.  I have not had it in a few years so I gave it a whirl.  It seemed thin tasting that day at the bar but, that did not stop me from buying a case the next day when I stopped by the party store. 

Appearance: rich amber with a coppery shin in the highlights.  White head that was okay.  Some lacing at first nothing impressive … it washes away pretty quickly. 

Aroma: sweet lightly toasted caramel malts, light breadiness,

Flavors and Mouthfeel: light in body, smooth, easy to drink or to pair with something to eat.  Light grains, soft toasted bready note, soft Oktoberfest type spice, nice balance from this Oktoberfest when the sweetness hits the palate on delivery and then the bitterness (not overwhelming) from the hops come onto the scene to keep things in check. 

This is still a classic Oktoberfest.  A good one to drink to understand the style but, then you can decide which direction to go when drinking other Oktoberfest style beers.  Leinenkugle’s Oktoberfest I think is much lighter than this or do you head to a spicy Samuel Adams.  While I do like the ones with a spicier style I can only drink a few (2 or 3) of this type in one session.   

Oude Gueuze Lambic: Review

Each bottle matured for over three years

6% abv

375ml bottle

$8.99 a bottle

Hanssens Artisanaal

Dworp, Belgium

Appearance: dirty orange with a thin fizzy white … head? Can you call that a head … how about, it is thin and fizzy and white.  When I poured my second glass … I got head!!!

Aroma: sour apple, barnyard animal hair

Flavors and Mouthfeel: an earthy sour apple cider, the sour/tart flavors coat the palate for a long lingering effect; this will leave you licking your choppers, the oak is more noticeable as the Lambic warms, the texture is dry

My Strength Rating: 8 – the sour and snappy tart flavors just linger. 

Westmalle Trappist Dubbel: Review

7% abv

$10.99 from Lager Mill in Frankenmuth

Appearance: chocolate caramel body with a big tan head.  No lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: when I popped that cork it smelled like a fresh cola blast.  Deep rich sweet aromas from the malts and sugars.  Nothing overpowering.

Flavors: the only thing I see that is complex in the taste is the ‘dark fruit tones.’  Otherwise a good balancing act between the rich malty flavors, hops and the earthy Belgian yeast. 


This ale was terrific with my Filet.

Krusovice: Beer Review

Imperial Czech Premium Lager

1pt .9oz bottle

Kralovsky Pivovar

Krusovice, Czech Republic

Krusovice.cz

This could be trouble – it’s three years old.  Born by date: 3-12-2008

Appearance: clear golden-amber with a little white head (personal issues)

Aroma: light earthy malts and hops, simple like a lager

Flavors: nice light sweet malts probably what a sugar-free caramel would taste like.  Slight hop bittering note that is grassy like.  Not bad for being three years old.  I would like to taste this lager fresh one day. 

Mouthfeel: semi-crisp, probably lost some crispness due to age, a grassy lingering note on the palate. 

My Strength Rating: 3

Bear Republic XP Pale Ale: Review

5.5% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$5.50 a bottle

Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Healdsburg, California, USA

Bearrepublic.com

Appearance: a shiny golden copper tone with nice clarity and an off white foamy head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: faint nose, yeasty yes, otherwise it is uneventful. 

Flavors: flavors seem light and hard to distinguish.  Notes of grains, grassy hops, slight bitterness, good earthy quality and the malts must be doing their job for the ale seems balanced.  A strange one to review.  Let me just enjoy. 

Okay, on that ‘just enjoy’ level, it’s a pleasing pale ale.  Nothing strong, nothing outstanding, to me nothing interesting from this ale.  I was expecting more since I really liked their Racer 5 IPA.  This one does not light my fire.  Well, in a matter of fact it does not even light the match to light the fire. 

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, strange lingering slightly bitter note that reminds me of a citrus rind. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – a pool of non-descript and muted flavors. 

To the Point: I could care less for this ale.  But, on Beer Advocate, 360 reviewers averaged out for a B+ on this ale.  What do you think?

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing

Hex Ourtoberfest: Review

Magic Hat Brewing Co.

S. Burlington, Vermont, USA

Magichat.net

5.4% abv

25 IBU’s

Bottle Size: ¾ pint

Best by: Dec312011 – found on neck of bottle

Yeast: German Ale

Hops: Apollo, Hallertaur

Malts: Pale, Vienna, Crystal, Cherry Wood Smoked Malts, Malted Rye

Magic Hat has some real crazy stuff.  I have to do a review on some of their beers one of these months.  Wacko is beer with beet juice.  I have reviewed #9 – and I still don’t care for that beer.  I am looking forward to their interpretation of ‘Ourtoberfest.’

Appearance: copper with a reddish hue, the head not all that inspiring maybe a ½ finger, off-white in color with very little lacing.

Aroma: very light nose, some malty, bready, with a hint of spice on the nose.

Flavors: some Octoberfest type spice, grainy, touch of bitterness, I don’t notice the cherry but, then Northern Peaks Archangel is brewed with cherry juice and that just plain ol’ tasted medicinal.  There is something to the taste that says there is something different added here but, I would not just jump right out and say cherry.  Overall a nice taste.

Mouthfeel: 6.5 – for the bitter note that lingers and turns a tad medicinal on the tongue. 

To the Point: Nice taste, a strange lingering note lies on the tongue; it is worthy to try.

Bear Republic Tribute Ale Brown: Review

American Brown Ale

6.3% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$5.50 a bottle

Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Healdsburg & Cloverdale, California

Bearrepublic.com

This brown ale is a tribute to their sales manager Pete Brown who passed away back in 2002.  What a great tribute. 

Appearance: deep dark brown with mahogany highlights when held up to the light.  It poured a nice fine one finger head and it leaves some lacing on the glass with each sip. 

Aroma: toasted sugar and malts.

Flavors: rich sweet toasted malts.  On the bottle it says, ‘golden brown sugars and sweet molasses.’  I’ll go for that. 

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, deep roasted notes linger for a long time on the palate.  Medium body on delivery and medium-full overall.

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – nice toasted sweetness in taste and long lingering roasted malts, grain, and sugars kick it up a notch. 

A very decent brown ale that would be good on a beautiful fall day. 

I’ll be pairing this one down the road with a fine cigar and a bowl of chili. 

Cheers Pete!   

Short's Brew Noble Chaos Oktoberfest

Short’s Brewing Co.

Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA

shortsbrewing.com

Bottle size

5.75 % abv

36 IBU

$1.69 a bottle I only bought one

If you ever make it to Northern Michigan (Lower Peninsula) Elk Rapids is a fine stop to make. 

Appearance: deep amber body with a fine one finger tan head that leaves some decent lacing on the side of the glass. 

Aroma: very light bouquet, some grainy malts on the nose, light hoppy spice note, yeast

Flavors: toasted caramel washes over the palate, mid and finish spice character, nice bitter quality,

Mouthfeel: typical low-moderate carbonation for an Oktoberfest beer, the toasted caramel on the delivery comes across medium like, the spice and bitterness makes for a medium-full mouthfeel on the finish,

My Strength Rating: 6 – the finish and lingering notes kicks it up to a six

To the Point: a very good Oktoberfest.  I’ll buy a six pack next time. 

The Kaiser - Imperial Oktoberfest Lager: Review

Dictator Series

Avery Brewing, Co.

Boulder, Colorado, USA

1pt 6oz bottle

10.01% abv – really now

I would have guessed 10.00 or 10.02 but, never 10.01%

24 IBU’s

Batch #8; Aug 2011

$8.50 a bottle

Appearance: tarnished copper body with a fine one finger off-white head that leaves some lacing behind on the glass. 

Aroma: a faint nose overall, some sweet malty notes and bready/yeasty notes.  When this beer warms up the alcohol nose picks up. 

Flavors: sweet caramel malts as the main profile, toasted malty notes, toasted grains, spice from the hops or maybe the alcohol, moderate bittering from the hops hit the back of the palate. 

Mouthfeel: smooth on delivery; low-moderate carbonation; moderate bitter note on the finish and dry; toasted malts, spice and bitter notes linger on the aftertaste.  The alcohol is not really part of the taste or mouthfeel – surprisingly.  But, I am feeling the effect of the alcohol. Only because I was drinking it like a regular Oktoberfest beer until I saw that whopping 10% abv. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – because it is so damn smooth on the delivery.    

To the Point: I don’t think Oktoberfest drinking this – maybe Doppelbock. This is one dangerous beer.  The nose seems faint, the flavors are nice, the mouthfeel is medium bodied and that all adds up to let’s slam a few.  No, No, not with this one.  With that abv – it is a true sipper.  Overall thou, it is a tasty beer. 

Harvest Special Ale: Review

Seasonal

Southern Tier Brewing Company

Lakewood, New York, USA

Southerntierbrewing.com

Brewed with four different hops

And two kinds of malts.

6.7% abv

12 oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Purchased at Super Fine Liquor and Beer – Canton, MI

Appearance: amber body with golden highlights.  A big fluffy light beige head that sticks around awhile and the lacing on the side of the glass just does not go away. 

Aroma: a healthy hoppy nose with some pine and grass.  Very nice if you like hops.

Flavors: some lightly roasted malts with a touch of caramel and then the piney hops hit the mid palate and take over the taste buds. 

Mouthfeel: moderate-low carbonation, piney bitter notes on the aftertaste.

My Strength Rating: 7 – a solid full-medium piney ale. 

To the Point: Nice piney ale with a light touch of roasted malt sweetness.  This ale begs for a beautiful fall day and some college football. 

Archangel Summer Wheat: Review

Made with Michigan Cherry Juice

North Peak Brewing Company

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

12oz bottle

5% abv

Purchased at the brewery

I don’t remember the price per six pack

Appearance: crystal amber color with a fine ½ finger wheat head that leaves a thin line of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: musty wheat nose

Flavors: earthy wheat, lightly toasted caramel, and a medicinal note.  That medicinal note must be the cherry juice.  I did not personally pick up a cherry note for my first thought was, ‘what the hell is that taste.’  Would more cherry juice make it tastier? 

Mouthfeel: dirty wheat, low-moderate carbonation, slightly fizzy feel, lingering muddled medicinal notes on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 5 – medium body at best.  Made to 5 because of the lingering aftertaste.  

To the Point: When I was at the brewery I had a wonderful brown ale.  I bought a six pack to take back to the hotel and when I got back I sampled one.  Oh god it was offal.  Drink this beer before any others.  If you already had another beer do not turn around and order this one.  I warned you.  

Atwater Bloktoberfest: Review

Specialty Lager

Atwater Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

Bottle size: 12oz

6.2 % abv

30 IBU

$1.69 a bottle only bought one

Appearance: deep burnt mahogany body with a one finger tan head

Aroma: made me say, what is this? Does not smell like an Oktoberfest, earthy caramel sweetness, fruity-floral?, earthy yeast

Flavors: yikes, golden raisin, golden raspberry, a strange floral note, toasted caramel

Mouthfeel: good thing for the watery edge, low carbonation, medium body at best, strange tart dirty lingering aftertasty.  The bouquet and the taste together makes the aftertaste worst.  Hold your nose and sip.  No, just don’t buy it in the first place.

My Strength Rating: 4.5

To the Point: I don’t think I’ll even finish the 12oz that I have here. Skip this one and buy a real Oktoberfest. 

DOGtoberfest: Review

Marzen - Seasonal

Flying Dog Brewery

Frederick, Maryland, USA

Flyingdogales.com

5.6% abv

30 IBU

12 oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Purchased at Super Fine Liquor and Beer – Canton, MI

Appearance: deep caramel color with a burnt copper hue and a thin, light beige head.  Not too much lacing happening here. 

Aroma: light bouquet overall, with some sweet wheat bread notes.

Flavors: some roasted caramel, pecans, nice Oktoberfest type spice, and toasted sweet wheat bread.

Mouthfeel: the roasted caramel and spice linger on the palate. Moderate carbonation.  This ‘fest’ has a nice balance between the sweet malts and bitter hops. To me the sweetness is on the delivery and the bitter is on the finish and aftertaste. 

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the finish and aftertaste puts this one in the medium-full range. 



My dogs are paying attention
to this beer

To the Point: it has been three years since I have had this Marzen.  I forgot how much I liked this DOG.  Overall, a very good Oktoberfest style.  DOGtoberfest is very worthy of a six pack.  Hell, I am buying a case and throwing a party – break out the sausage and the big pretzels.  Anybody own an accordion.

I was screwing around when I did
this review

Shock Top Raspberry Wheat: Review

 

Belgian Style Wheat Ale

Brewed with spices with natural raspberry flavor added

Shock Top Brewing Co.

AKA – Anheuser-Busch product

St. Louis, Missouri

Shocktopbeer.com

12 oz bottle

5.2% abv

$7.99

Anheuser has a few of these different beers out on the market to compete with the craft breweries.  Some are flops, like Beach Bum, (my opinion) and some are pretty good representations of the beer style, like Dunkel Weisse.

Appearance: hazy golden wheat with a one finger fine white head that leaves a bit of lacing on the glass with each sip.

Aroma: of course – raspberry and a touch of wheat

Flavors: raspberry, honey wheat bread, slight touch of spice (clove).  Nice sweetness without being too much. 

Mouthfeel: smooth and refreshing on the delivery, smooth fruity taste at mid and finish, pleasing aftertaste.

My Strength Rating: 4.5/4 – nice medium-mild body.

To the Point: BeerPostings ‘regular’ Ron said he and his wife enjoy this one so, I thought I should give it a try.  Especially since my wife also drinks it.

I was not positive going into this and I have been putting this off all summer.  AND … I like it.  I could drink a glass of this beer.  Nice raspberry and wheat flavor with the right touch of spice.  Very worthy of a fruit beer.