Shiner Oktoberfest - Spoetzl Brewery

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Copper-colored. Half-inch of dense, creamy bone-white head sits patiently. Tiny sparse bubbles rise from the bottom. 3.5

Toasty and husky in the malt. Leaves out much in the aroma. Hardly a hop or an ester to pick up on. 2.5

Dry crushed grain with hearty levels of bitterness and throaty bite. Background hops offer little other than some citric rind notes. Burly and rough. Tailend metal taste crossed with more roast and halfway pith-like hop semblance. A little mucky in the finish. 3.0

Bitterness and rearing alcohol set the tone. Highly-carbonated. Slender in body. Not one to scarf back easily. 3.0

Shiner's rendition is flat on flavor and bruising with husky astringencies. Too dry, too bitter, and too hunky. Subpar finish kills the desire to take another sip. A blunder of a lager. 2.5

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2012 01:16:28 | More by thecheapies

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Comes out of the tap a pretty clear amber with a thick, fine-bubbled off-white head. Malty aroma has a nice fruity note. Mouth-filling flavor is fruity, almost entirely apple, and malty with just a hint of caramel. Crisp, smooth texture is quite fizzy and leaves a fruity, tingly finish. Overall, OK if not outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 03:36:55 | More by Cyberkedi

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a tall pokal at The Firkin.

Final beer of the night out, one that I had my misgivings about ordering, but it was the only one there I had yet to try. It pours a clear amber-straw topped by a finger of cream-white foam. The nose comprises red apple skin, light grapefruit, light mandarin orange, greens, and toffee. The taste holds notes of mixed greens, light caramel, very light mandarin orange syrup, grass, and flowers. The body is a rather light medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a fairly slick feel. Overall, a kinda sad O-Fest, one that shuns malt in favor of fruitiness and whatnot. Not my cup of Oktober tea.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 04:27:53 | More by TMoney2591

elNopalero

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured on draught into a shaker pint. Comes out a golden amber color, light, with some foam that quickly dissipates. Not much aroma to speak of, even as it warms. Nor am I picking up any malty festbier flavors in the body. Drinks like a light version of Shiner. Unremarkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 22:44:39 | More by elNopalero

JonB1958

Illinois

2.17/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Had on tap at McGees in Lincoln Park.

Pretty weak effort for a brewery I like in my favorite style. Pours a clearish golden orange, much lighter than most Märzens I've had. Smell is sort of malty and thin with some metal.

Flavor is too thin. Not enough malt and too many hops for the style.

Disappointing.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2011 21:20:33 | More by JonB1958

lordofthewiens

Maine

2.98/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

In a pint glass, the beer was an amber color with a pretty small white head and a tiny bit of lace.
Sweet caramel aroma. Not very noticeable, but not invisible either.
Same thing with the taste. Caramel, sweet bread. Again, neither overwhelming nor underwhelming.
Very, very sweet. Too sweet for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 00:14:48 | More by lordofthewiens

AmberMan22

Minnesota

2.68/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My experience with Shiner bock was less than underwhelming (basically coors light with a heavy suntan), but I do like the Marzen style, so I wanted to give it a go.

It looks like a middle-of-the-road orange, with a generally white head.

The smell is not immediately malty, and the taste reveals the horror within. The first thing that came to mind was that someone had spilled a lemon-scented cleaning product into my beer.
Weak malt presence and generally bad flavor -- why lemon?

Really nothing else to write home about.Given the opportunity, I'd try any other Oktoberfest over this one.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2010 14:15:40 | More by AmberMan22

champ103

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear copper/orange color. A minimal white head forms, and recedes in a second. Almost no lace is left behind.
S: A very odd soapy hop aroma. Like dish detergent. I might expect something like soapy hops from a resiny IPA, but not an Oktoberfest. There is some yeast with some sightly sweet malt.
T: There is still an odd soapy character, but it is not as prevalent. Some yeast, and sweet malt.
M/D: A medium body and crisp carbonation. Though a bit on the thin side. Not hard to drink. I could drink a few with ease, if I wanted to.

Not bad. I get some soapy hops for some reason, which makes for a strange tasting Oktoberfest. Overall, not the worst that I have had from Shiner, but nothing I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2010 02:39:34 | More by champ103

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer arrived on the bar crystal clear golden with a white low head wthat was persistent enough to lace the glass.

The aroma was malty and fruity with a slight DMS and a bit of nutty character.

The flavor was nutty and contained a light Munich and caramel malt flavor. The beer was slightly grainy and contained a bit of DMS.

The finish was slightly sweet with Munich malt and nutty character lasting into the aftertaste. The body was medium. A nice beer, but not much complexity and probably better suited as a Vienna.

Draft at B&J Pizza in Corpus Christi.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2005 16:33:43 | More by GCBrewingCo

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A nice looking copper colored clear beer with a momentary one finger head.

Sweet malty aroma fades with the head. Some graininess and a little hops.

Grainy, sweet, slightly hoppy flavor

A relatively thin mouthfeel gives way a dry, somewhat bitter finish.

Honestly, this Oktoberfest was better than I thought it would be. If you are like me, and not at all impressed by Shiner, this still may be worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 14:04:37 | More by UnderPressure

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle.

Clear-amber and slightly orange in colour. The nose didn't have much to it with only a slight malt-sweetness. The taste was more complex than the smell with a nice sweet-malt upfront taste. It was pretty typical for an Oktoberfest-style beer.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 20:24:01 | More by NilocRellim

Ford

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a regular pint glass.

This is a really good oktoberfest in my opinion. Just the right amount of caramel and bitterness. SHiner is always dependably good to me.

If you are in Houston I like the Karbach Karbachtoberfest better and Saint Arnold about the same.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 20:35:05 | More by Ford

tectactoe

Michigan

3/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a copper-amber color with excellent clarity; small, off-white head fades fast. Heavy, malty aroma; caramel and toffee with a slight tartness to it, and some grains in the background. The taste has a slightly metallic flavor that is a little off-putting. It comes hand in hand with an apple skin and grape-like sweetness that hits immediately but fades quickly. Caramel malt undertones play throughout the whole sip. Grains are heavy in the aftertaste, toasted and bready. Very low hop profile in this one, maybe some dry florals in the background but at this point, it's a stretch to even say that they're really there. A mild cheesiness comes out as it warms up, again, a little off-putting but not so much as to make it undrinkable. Some leafiness in the very back end of the brew, but it doesn't feel very "hoppy". An astringent bitterness lingers afterwards, with some fading malts and yeast. Thin body, a touch of creaminess, but overall pretty thin with medium carbonation.

Eh, not awful, but not something I'll be likely to revisit. A couple weird off-flavors keep this one from being a solid Oktoberfest. Definitely many better options out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 06:09:10 | More by tectactoe

superspak

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best before 10/23/2012. Pours slightly hazy golden copper color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big pear, apple, caramel, apricot, toast, bread, light pepper, and light herbal. Nice and pleasant aromas with solid strength and balance. Taste of caramel, pear, apple, toast, biscuit, toffee, light nuttiness, and light earthy herbal spiciness. Minimal bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, caramel, toast, toffee, biscuit, and earthy herbal on the finish for a bit. Some pretty nice flavor balance and robustness; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy and lightly slick mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a good Oktoberfest style. Very solid flavor balance and robustness; and very smooth to drink. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 06:17:48 | More by superspak

shand

Florida

4/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shiner's Oktoberfest pours out orange, with a head that leaves thick lacing. The aroma is richly malty. The taste follows the nose, with a nice, approachable, yet full malty flavor. It's pretty mellow compared to most American interpretations of the style, but it's really nice. The mouthfeel is light and velvety, and the drinkability is good. Overall, a solid Oktoberfest that seems a bit underrated here.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 05:40:57 | More by shand

barczar

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant golden orange color with a fleeting half inch ivory head that dissipated into a ring of foam.

Cardboard, corn, and sweet caramel malt comprise the initial aroma with toasted bread and floral hops rounding out the profile.

Flavor reveals caramelization, with melanoidins taking center stage. Deep malty flavor, accompanied by toasted bread crust, a tinge if citrus, and slightly peppery hops add intrigue.

Body is pretty moderate, with carbonation tending toward the higher side.

Overall, more complex malt character than anticipated from shiner. Not on par with the top examples, but a decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 07:26:51 | More by barczar

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Clear copper body with an inch of ultra-fine white head. Ok retention, very nice lace. Good.

S: Simple, pleasant maltiness. Plenty of caramel, some toastiness, and a bit of walnut. Solid.

T: Follows the nose. Sweet, malty, and simple. Tasty enough, but pretty boring and forgettable.

M: Slick light-to-medium body with some fine carbonation. Ok.

O: Pretty middle-of-the-road. Nothing offensive, nothing impressive.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 21:33:18 | More by woosterbill

mooseisloose

Florida

3.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a sixer of this seasonal from Spoetzel, says it is a Marzen style Oktoberfest. Let's give it a whirl. Popping the top, I get a dry hoppy smell with a hint of metallic clove. Pours to a light bronze color with a pillowy, clingy and robust tan colored head. The taste is consistent with the smell, sweet up front with a slightly bitter metallic bitterness that lingers to a fading bitter finish. Mouthfeel has a moment where it is watery in the middle but overall it is a non-factor. Head has excellent staying power. I usually steer away from Oktoberfests due to being overly sweet, but Spoetzel has put enough bitter hopping in this beer to make it tasty. I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 03:01:01 | More by mooseisloose

LittleRedJenn

3.7/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: new pennies with a dark khaki lather that settles down fairly quickly
S: bakery-esque, like rising rye bread preced by a faintly sweet aroma--also, funnily enough, smells very similar to the way skin smells after a spray tan session--but in a good way??
T: acidic top note (slightly metallic), followed by caramel and fresh baked bread, toasty finish
M: thicker but not overly chewy or rich

One of my favorite seasonal beers, overall. Love love love the unique color. I like that it has a similar flavor profile to darker beer, but I can drink several without feeling like I ate a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 00:38:21 | More by LittleRedJenn

MaximalC

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours amber in color with a respectable khaki head. Aroma smells of clean, floral hops and mild caramel sweetness. A trace amount of skunkiness may be present as well, but not obnoxiously so. Flavor is noticeably milder than the aroma, and the aroma wasn't especially bold to begin with. I would assume I'm tasting some caramel malt and mild hops, but it's so vague that it would be hard to surmise without having seen and smelled it before drinking. A decent amount of lacing clings to the glass as the beer recedes, which is respectable. Carbonation lends a creamy mouthfeel and would be just right if only there were a bit more substance to offset it. As is, it feels slightly too thin and watery. This beer might really have something going for it if only it had more flavor and body. Without, it remains a safe, sessionable beer with naught to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 01:37:55 | More by MaximalC

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Slight foam with ok lacing and decent carbonation. Dark orange.

Smell: Cherries and caramels. I would would like a bit more of the cherry smell. It is an excellent change of pace and something pleasantly unexpected.

Taste/Mouthfeel: VERY dry. Flavor consists of dark fruit (i.e., cherries) and faint, indistinct hops. Definitely some nice combinations overall.

Overall Drinkability: I can't say that Shiner has ever disappointed me. I will look for some more beers from them.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 01:17:29 | More by tjsdomer2

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours a clear gold with a 2 finger head of foam.

It smells of bread, has some some sweet notes and quite a bit of grain.

Bready sweet up front with some bitterish notes on the back end though the bread returns in the finish.

Not a bad stab at the style from Shiner.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 15:11:38 | More by Bitterbill

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shiner Oktoberfest has a medium, cream-colored head, a bubbly, clear, copper appearance, and a some thick lacing left behind. The aroma is of medium-roasted, sweet and sour barley malt and brown bread. Taste is of the same character, with some hop bitterness present at the end of the sip. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Shiner Oktoberfest finishes mostly dry, crisp, refreshing, and easy drinking. Overall, this is a good beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 14:13:58 | More by RonaldTheriot

Alextricity

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Poured aggressively and got a ridiculous amount of foam. Wound up getting to a finger. Bunch of lacing. Typical clear Oktoberfest color.

Smell: Average. All I'll say. Malt. Oktoberfest. Mild. Yep.

Taste/feel: The taste... well, I enjoyed it a little bit more as it warmed up a tad, but. Meh. I've had better. I kept getting a metallic taste on and off, and it got pretty irritating. When I didn't get it, I got a respectable Oktoberfest flavor. The feel is one of the better parts of this -- creamy with a middle-of-the-road amount of carbonation.

A pretty good Oktoberfest. Not something worth raving about, but respectable.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 03:42:27 | More by Alextricity

raznug

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: This Oktoberfest pours a clear deep orange color and is topped with 1” of off white head that lingers very tastefully quite a few drinks into the pint.
Smell: This beer smells very German to me it smells like a marzen should with a good base of malt aroma and a bread or yeast aroma that just screams German.
Taste: The taste is the classic marzen style as well it has a malt base with the bready flavor that I associate with a lot of German style beers. This is a very well done marzen style beer.
Mouthfeel: This is a medium bodied beer that is very easy drinking and flows around the palate nicely. Spoetzl Brewing did a good job on this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 18:27:10 | More by raznug