Spaten Oktoberfestbier Ur-Märzen - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, RI.

A- Amber-brown with a nice thick fluffy 2" head. Little to no lacing. Medium retention

S- Skunky, earthy upfront. german malt, citrus

T- Malt backbone with some hops and citrus in the background. Well balanced, crisp, refreshing with little aftertaste.

M- Medium-high carbonation, medium-low body

Overall, a highly drinkable octoberfest. A very nice example of the style. Smooth and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 19:49:05 | More by gcamparone

TechTriumph

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

No freshness date; Poured in a pint glass.

A - One inch of off-white creamy head with good retention; Clear appearance with a slightly rustic amber color; Pretty good showing of thin lacing around the glass

S - Light aroma overall; Some sweet, sugary and bready malts with light herbal hop notes; A bit skunky as well

T - Lots of bready malts here with some moderate sweetness that increases as the beer warms; A bit nutty as well underneath the bready character with just a bit of toasted grains that come through more in the end of the taste; Hops are mostly herbal with a bit of grass and are more noticeable on the back end of the taste; Subtle alcohol does poke through now and again mid-taste

M - Moderate carbonation; Light to medium bodied with a fairly smooth mouthfeel; Finish is a bit on the dry side

O - While this is a solid German example of the style, this doesn't quite make it as one of my favorites since it struggles to distinguish itself from many others. That said, I still found this beer to be pretty enjoyable and drinkable, and a solid option to have during these cooler months of the year.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 11:03:01 | More by TechTriumph

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.58/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

It's October - time for an Oktoberfestbier! (yes, I know, the fest is in September....)

A 500ml bottle with a BB of August 2013. Picked up recently from Trembling Madness in York - they import a selection of Oktoberfest brews every September.

Poured into a straight pint glass. A clear pale-gold colour with good carbonation. Forms a large head of frothy white foam that hangs around for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of light, grainy malt with a subtle hint of grassy noble hops. Smells dry and balanced.

Tastes of grainy malt with a dry bitter finish. Notes of carbonic acid, faint caramel and grassy noble hops. Dry and well-attenuated, with a restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and surprisingly spritzy - the carbonation is certainly noticeable. Good body. Mildly astringent, with an aftertaste of grainy malt and mild hop bitterness.

Rather nice and very drinkable. Not a complex brew, but crisp, refreshing and easy to drink. Perfect for quaffing in large quantities while enjoying the atmosphere at the festival. Perhaps the next time I try it I'll actually be there....

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 20:26:53 | More by jazzyjeff13

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

BB (08/2013) Pours about two fingers of fluffy white head, with decent retention. Colour is a bright straw gold. With quite active carbonation.

Smell has light straw malty aromas, freshness, a light nutty and toasty characteristic.

Taste is initially of a rough, slightly toasty maltiness, green apples, touch of citrus. Bitterness is medium and hops not over the top. Not a huge deal of complexity, but flavourful and refreshing enough. Overall quite light on the palate with the degree of soft floral and grass notes, a slight sweetness toward the end.

Mouthfeel is characterised by crisp carbonation, medium-light body. Quite sessionable without any noticeable off-putting harshness.

This is a perfectly sessionable afternoon beer. Balance of crispness and malt. Not overly complex and a bit rough around the edges but easy-drinking

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 16:57:47 | More by mick303

aleric

2.93/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Very little head. Clear and caramel-brown.

S - Slight skunk, malt.

T - The hops become apparent, and blend well with the malt. Slight nuttiness. Still a bit skunky, but there's an intriguing tobacco in the finish.

M - Medium mouth feel, oily.

O - This beer does the basics well, but isn't interesting enough for me to buy it again, and the skunk is a turn-off.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 00:22:16 | More by aleric

wac9

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

what can i say if you want a german oktoberfest try another one i had a spaten before and it was great thinking german oktoberfest i tryed this one the only good thing it goes down smooth but i had one stinky bottle so so color so so taste so just move on to another oktoberfest beer

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:38:46 | More by wac9

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada imperial Pint.
5.9% ABV, L164216A on back label.

A - Pouring from the disappointing green bottle, Spaten Oktoberfest's appearance suffers a bit from the poopy-brown amber color but it's clear and has a very formidable head. Standing in a tall pile, it has great retention and even adds some nice lacing as it goes down.

S - It should come as no surprise to anyone the beer unleashes a skunk fart into the room when poured out. Glossing over the whole other issue with that, the aroma is of a light toast; Vienna malt, and Munich malt with the accompanying sweetness. Hops balance the aroma well as they give the nose a crisp, dry finish; a bit earthy with a touch of grass clippings. Similar to a typical European lager, this beer also possesses a moderate sulfur hint to it.

T - Toasty, slightly sweet malts push forward past the beer's infused skunk flavor and drag some faint German hops along with them. Flavor compounds of these hops are avoided in favor of straight balance but the beer does finish out with a bold mineral water and sodium bite.

M - Quite salty indeed, the sheer feel that grips the tongue continues to bring you back for quite a bit more, sip after sip. A brilliant move for those who wish to sell mass quantities of beer. Spaten's Oktoberfest is rich with carbonation for a feel that seems lighter than it's malts actually produce as this lager finishes dry.

O - Spaten has done a great job at creating an Oktoberfest that commands sip after sip almost subconsciously; my pint disappeared quickly and it's salty feel is the culprit. It's rather plain malty base provides what an Oktoberfest drinker is looking for without any frills for an easy drinker. And once again, I'll gloss over the whole issue with green bottles saying only that if this were in brown glass, it would be a much better beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 22:36:31 | More by BeerFMAndy

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a mug.

Pours a clear copper, with several fingers of rich and billowy slightly off-white head. This eventually settles down into sudsy 1-2 fingers, which rings the sides of the mug with thick sticky lacing. The aroma smells fresh and earthy in the nose, with notes of spice and must. This is undercut by some bready sweetness but it’s mostly the crisp citrus presence present that holds things together here in the nostrils.

The taste mirrors the aroma, being crisp and green feeling throughout, with a tight sweetness that rides along on the edges. This is earthy and spicy on the finish with some lingering must. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a firm and crisp feel in the mouth that then gets a little creamier feeling underneath, giving this quite the overall drinkable feel.

While maybe not quite as flavorful as some imports out there, I’d still take this over the majority of the American takes on the style that many breweries are putting out, as it’s got the two things that count for me, balance and crispness. I’d drink one of these any time.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 16:58:45 | More by Kegatron

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

For a German Oktoberfest, I wasn't too optimistic about this beer due to the green skunk beer-type bottle. But I just saw that this is a Malt Liquor, so I guess that explained it

A: This beer pours a golden/amber color with a 1 1/4 in soapy, white head that slowly dissipates, but leaves some lacing when it does. Lots of bubbles!

S: The smell is skunky, lots of alcohol on top but I do get a hint of malts and not much else.

T: The flavor starts with a malt sweetness and alcohol. Throughout I can get a bit of yeast and maybe some caramel. The aftertaste does consist a bit of peanuts, the original kind though.

M: Sweet, lots of carbonation. The flavor is definitely better than the smell. Drinkable for someone who like malt liquor or who wants to experiment with Oktoberfest.

O: This beer is better than I expected and tasted pretty good for what it is. This beer is one of those things that you will either like it or not. I happen to enjoy drinking malt liquor from time to time, so this is a pretty nice treat for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 19:27:13 | More by SouljaSaia17

Florida9

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Copper color. Clear. Forms a small off-white head that manages to leave some light lacing.

S: Peanuts and toasted almonds. Getting a lot of nuts out of this. Some whole wheat bread, a little caramel malts and just a touch of herbal hops.

T: Starts off with a light sweetness. Light caramel and more peanuts before turning a bit crisp with a light compliment of herbal hops. Finish is quick and watery.

M: On the lighter side of medium, this one has less body than it would appear to have. Lower carbonation. Mild bitterness.

O: I used to love Oktoberfests as they were one of the first beer styles I branched into, but I lost my love for them. However, while this beer is not the best example of the style, it does grow on you as you drink it. Overall, not bad. Not great, either, but still a very drinkable beer that does manage to pair quite well with your stereotypical German fare.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 02:18:03 | More by Florida9

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.2/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I love the style, but for me this one is just a little out of balance. It's really sweet, but in an odd way. I wouldn't call it bittersweet, but there is a bitterness to it that catches you off guard a little (again, out of balance). Maybe on another day I'd have been game for it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 17:55:00 | More by TheRealBigC

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.65/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Golden colour, medium thin head which went fast but some lacing was retained, clear. Aroma was straw and hay with notes of caramel and red cabbage. Tasted caramel and red cabagge, finish was wheaty and bitter. Quite peppery, seemed to switch between bitter and sweet but had more bitterness than other Oktoberfest beers from Munich. Well carbonated, crisp, smooth enough. Easy to identify as a Munich Oktoberfest beer, decent but not the best.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 14:48:30 | More by jonb5

punky796

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours medium-dark amber, but clear, with about one finger of head. Nice-looking, but it doesn't last long with minimal lacing.

S - That sort of festival-bier smell that I personally like. Reminds you of the green bottle and has some bread scents. Kinda minimal overall.

T - It's sort of what I imagine beer would taste like if they stayed minimum and balanced in both hops and malts. I keep using the word minimal, but that's it, in a good way.

M - Medium carbonation, dry, doesn't feel like a light beer but not so heavy that you're not ready for more.

O - Basically, it's that classic dry Munich-festival-bier taste. In the same vein as related beers like Hofbrau. These are essentially what American macros are trying to be, by my non-expert perception. Can't wait to try more of their varieties.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 04:52:16 | More by punky796

shigg85

Japan

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a pint of this on tap at Willimantic Brewing in Willimantic, CT. Red and semi-cloudy with a very subtle taste to it... a bit lacking. However, it does hint at a beautiful roasted nut flavor with a great strong bitter aftertaste. The flavor of this unfortunately becomes a bit muddled as you continue drinking. This is a good beer, but Spaten makes better, and while I would still recommend this, it's not the best Spaten i've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 23:15:08 | More by shigg85

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – Served a lighter orange amber color with a one finger white head. The head faded relatively fast to leave a lighter level of lacing.

Smell – Notes of roasted bready malt are the heaviest in this brew. Mixed with this aroma is a lighter caramel and a light earthy hop aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with a nice bready flavor and a good dose of caramel sweetness. A nuttiness as well as a light herbal flavor then come to the tongue more toward the middle of the taste. In the end the herbal hop is lost but only to give way to a more earthy flavor, which when combined with the bready flavors leave a crisper taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The creaminess of the beer was on the rather average side with a carbonation level that was quite average as well. Both made it rather drinkable and are rather fitting for the style.

Overall - It was easy drinking and had some pretty nice flavors, but nothing too exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2012 01:12:56 | More by Darkmagus82

kojevergas

California

3.23/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This review will be much shorter than most because someone spilled on my notes while I was reviewing. Served from a bottle. Reviewed from notes.

A: Appearance is favorable, light and vibrant with no yeast noticeable.

Sm: Smell is generic festbier with a bit more of a malty forward quality.

T: Clean and favorable. Clean malts form the foundation, with very little hopping. No yeast or alcohol comes through. Clean barley. Crisp. The malts are well selected, if simple and generic.

Mf: Smooth, wet, and clean. Supports the flavour.

Dr: Drinkable but far from impressive. Another solid offering from Spaten, but nothing to write home about. I wouldn't recommend it to friends.

C+

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 04:35:30 | More by kojevergas

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A- Clear copper in color. White frothy head with average lacing and retention.

S- Green bottle Skunk, Doughy, nutty, slight floral hops but very much masked

T/M- Slightly sweet at first, then bready with flat herbal flavors and a touch of alcohol. Very slick. Somewhat dry finish with some spice notes.

Not the best offering of Oktoberfest I have every had. Not the greatest offering I had from Spaten either, but in the end not a bad choice. Could not tell the expiration date on the bottle, but it tastes as if its past its prime which is odd because its Oktoberfest season. If I were longing for a Spaten I think I will stick to an Optimator.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 23:01:33 | More by wiscokid920

jak3676

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Spaten - Octoberfest

Bottled in Germany - which is cool, but making the trip across the Atlantic in a little green bottle can't be all that great for it. But it does get an A for being authentic.

To me it tasted like the Sam Adams, but with more flavor. I couldn't taste the extra alchohol, which is always a good indication that its a quality beer, but it was a 5.9% ABV for the record. It's a nice deep redish and amber color and poured crystal clear.

There was a number stamped on the side of the bottle, but not a clear date (probably have to cross reference the number to get a true bottling or batch date). I will say that my 6-pack tasted a bit past its prime - not bad, but I've had better from Spaten before.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 20:00:05 | More by jak3676

Jason

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz green bottle with a cryptic looking freshness code.

LOOK: Brandishes a clear copper color, enough head and lacing action to get by

SMELL: Loaf of bread, grape skin, nutty, very grassy, faint caramel, floral hop, mineral, clean

TASTE: Semi-crisp, slick, slightly sweet, bready, cake, moderate hop bitterness, flat herbal flavor, slightly spicy, hint of alcohol, very dry toasted grainy finish

For its travels and most likely its preparation for the trip the US it ends up being a pretty good lager. In the world of beer and Oktoberfest it is a pretty easy assumption that this beer tastes a lot better from the source but with that said ... the beer that is sent over is certain worth getting.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 02:26:37 | More by Jason

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

P:  Slightly hazed dark copper amber color with a thin layer of bubbly khaki head that fades fast. 

S:  Green bottle skunk, roasted caramel, hints of banana, clove, and subtle spices. Sweet malt undertones.  Baked cinnamon apples and musty soured grains. 

T/M:  Roasted caramel, grains, semi sweet malt with lingering skunk notes. The malt is decent but the mouthfeel is weak and under established. Watered down and not overly flavorful. Taste is similar to a iced tea beer. Finish is semi dry with lingering roasted caramel with a timid spiced apple bitterness. 

O:  Not too impressed with this one, however I think it would be much better on tap. Seems to be tainted and weak. One Oktoberfest that will not be revisited unless its on tap and a tavern special. 

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 21:10:55 | More by Hopswagger

barczar

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear caramel copper color with a fleeting one inch ivory head that dissipates into a thin layer of foam with lots of bubbles.

Aroma is heavy caramel malt, very sweet, with hints of nuts and toasted bread. Herbal, tea-like hops provide contrast.

Flavor is far less sweet than the aroma indicates, with more toasted bread and nutty notes. The caramel malt backbone is slightly sweet, but not cloying. Herbal hops are again present, and the finish is slightly dry. Kettle caramelization really comes through in subsequent sips.

Body is moderate, with higher carbonation than anticipated. There's a hint of astringency. Slight alcohol warmth becomes evident late.

Overall, a very solid brew. The hops balance the sweetness well, but, as a marzen should be, it's definitely malt dominant.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 18:00:01 | More by barczar

SometimesIfart

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a copper color with a finger's worth of head. Lacing is only left within the bottom of the glass.

S - Smells like a pale ale. Sweet malt and that's about it on the nose. Doesn't smell a damn thing like an Oktoberfest.

T - Tastes oddly of sweet malt and agave. Almost like a Smithwick's or something. Does not taste like an Oktoberfest at all. No other flavors come through.

M - Mouthfeel drops off the sweetness, With a heavily carbonated body and a heavy mouthfeel.

O - Overall, This is another disappointing beer from Spaten. How this got labled an Oktoberfest completely blows my mind. BUT! it isn't a terrible beer my any means. Want a real Oktoberfest? Try the one from Great Lake's Brewing Company

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 12:04:02 | More by SometimesIfart

dhannes

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Perfect Pint from a green bottle (protected by carton).

A=Rich reddish amber color with three finger foamy ecru head that lasted about a minute...very inviting.

S=Faint whiff of darker malt with a sweetness similar to maple syrup.

T=Rich malt flavor with a hint of hops; slightly sweet and almost salty. One of the better märzens I've had...rich, flavorful, robust.

M=Lighter body than most...almost no carbonation. Not as drinkable as one might think for a lighter body beer, due to the malt and sweetness.

O=Probably the second best märzen I've had and may be my go to down the road. I purchased this only because I had a credit at a local liquor store that had sold me some outdated beer, and I am glad I chose this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 00:25:59 | More by dhannes

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

2.25/5  rDev -36.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Although meant to be enjoyed from a mug, I poured this into a New Belgium snifter for nosing and tasting. The pour is very nice-looking. It is a clear, orange-amber color with two fingers of sudsy head. Unfortunately, selling this beer in green glass bottles hasn't done much for the nose. I definitely pick up some skunky tones amidst the malt and spices.

The beer has no body at all and the mouthfeel is paper-thin for this style. I don't get much malt at all. I get a watery, lemony drink that tastes like beer and iced tea. There is none of the chewyness or breadiness that one finds in a good Oktoberfest. It doesn't taste bad, but it's as bland as bland can be. It's as if Budweiser tried to make an Oktoberfest and this is the result.

I don't know what this brewer is trying to pull by calling this an Oktoberfest, but I sure as hell won't be fooled again. I never thought I'd say this, but I've tasted American Oktoberfests (like Great Lakes' offering) that demolish this German Oktoberfest. This is a travesty of a beer and is not worthy of a German label. The brewers who made this should be ashamed of themselves. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 21:39:10 | More by deadonhisfeet

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 8/29/12 Tasting Notes

Enjoyed this on tap while out for dinner with my wife at the Gasthaus. Arrived at our table in a 24 oz stein. Served fairly chilled.

A) Darker amber with just a little over a finger of slightly off white head. Okay retention on the head. No lacing noted.

S) Malty with very light roast, and caramel sweetness. A grassy/earthy hops aroma.

T) Nice malty flavor, bready/toasty, caramel. There is a nice balance with the noble hops, especially at the finish, which is pleasantly grassy and refreshing.

M) Light yet quite supple, I'd say a medium body with moderate carbonation. Crisp and refreshing for the Fall season, and highly drinkable.

O) Glad to have enjoyed this on tap, as it seems to make a pretty substantial difference in the ratings. I found this to be a good example of the style and quite enjoyable.

Paired this with the Gasthaus Platter, which is some of the finest German cuisine you'll find in Wisconsin.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 01:34:04 | More by RoamingGnome