Shiner Oktoberfest - Spoetzl Brewery

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at Joe Canal's down in Woodbridge. Even though I'm not much of a Marzen fan, this was worth trying out if for no other reason that I felt sorry for what Texas had to go through in the 9th and 10th innings during last night's game. Shiner makes a big deal out of being from the Lone Star State but like most other Marzens, this went down pretty easily and didn't have much of anything going for it.

The pour was nothing memorable, with a good amount of head that quickly faded, accompanied by a somewhat radiant brown hue. Not a lot of lacing to this and the aroma was that of the Saaz hops that were found in this beer. As for the taste and mouthfeel, the carbonation was a bit too high and the consistency was too soapy to fully enjoy. Some grass and sourness were here too but even after quaffing the contents of my glass down, I was hard pressed to find much of anything else here. This almost reminded me of the Shiner Bock without any caramel or sweetness, as this had a more German taste to it.

I suppose that had I bought a 6-pack, I could have downed it all in one sitting. The alcohol can't be felt here and I was surprised how high it was when I looked on here. This wouldn't blow anyone away but for a night out with the guys, this would be a good choice to celebrate the season. Whether this is a worthy beer to watch during an epic collapse by the bullpen is another matter.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 22:12:41 | More by JerzDevl2000

pmsawyer

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Orange amber color with a quickly diminishing thick head. Good clarity.

Aroma - Good malt aroma with faint hops.

Taste - Prominent malt sweetness offset with light hop bitterness giving a dry finish.

Texture - Good carbonation. Medium body.

Overall Impression - Very drinkable enjoyable interpretation of the style. Somewhat lacking in malt depth.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 15:16:33 | More by pmsawyer

Paincane

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber colored clear pour into my Southern Tier pint glass. Produces an off-white head that leaves a ring of lace.
S: Malt, toffee and caramel aromas emanate from the glass although this beer does not have much nose.
T: Slightly sweet toffee and caramel up front. Malt and slight spice.
M: Medium bodied with active carbonation.
O: Enjoyable brew that is worth repeating.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 23:45:22 | More by Paincane

KyleVick4

Florida

3.63/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured in 16oz pint glass

A: Beautiful beer. Pours with lots, albeit thin, head that hugs the glass on the way down. Crystal clear and a crisp copper color. Yum.

S: Minimal. Sorta kinda smell some malt.

T: Nice little brew. I'm not a fan of the style personally but this one has a good carmel up front but its not overpowering malt like most Oktoberfests. A well placed touch of spicy hops.

M: Quite carbonated but it feels in balance for the style. Light mouthfeel.

O: Great fall session beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 02:25:35 | More by KyleVick4

JayS2629

Alabama

3.48/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark orange with a creamy fat head that fades slowly and leaves nice rings.

The aroma is malty with lots of rich caramel and notes of toffee. Spicy hops peek through. I think saaz.

Pushing the envelope for the style on the hops, but I don't mind. Nice spicy, grassy finish keeps a big malty, caramel backbone from lingering.

Smooth and medium. Slightly thin for the style.

I really enjoyed it. A bit watery for the style, and hoppy but still a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 18:37:22 | More by JayS2629

gtermi

Texas

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

A: pours an orange color with a thicker head.

S: I pick up a lot of malt, some grain and faint hops.

T: The taste isnt as bad as I was expecting. It has some malty, some some caramel and a bit of sweetness.

M: The beer had a decent amount of carbonation. Something I dont really care for, but it was still pretty smooth.

O: This beer wasnt bad at all. Above average and one of the few I have enjoyed from Spoetzl.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 06:17:19 | More by gtermi

MrDonQuixote

Colorado

2.8/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into an oversized wine glass:

A- light copper color, much lighter then I expected it to be. head is slight, maybe a quarter of an inch to half an inch.

S- Smells overwhelmingly of malt, as expected. Grain and hops are also slightly present

T- Carmel malt is the most apparent taste. Very sweet, with a slight hop bitterness on the finish.

M- Quite smooth because of the malty body. carbonation is definitely a little too present.

O- Decent for the Octoberfest style, but nothing stands out in this one

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 19:06:40 | More by MrDonQuixote

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.33/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter; tried on tap a week later

Appearance: light orange, half finger head that quickly disappears; good lacing

Smell: malt, barley, hops

Taste: a very light, malty taste with yeastiness and a slight hoppy finish.

Mouthfeel: light with low carbonation

Overall: I really wasn't impressed with this one from a bottle. Then I tried it on tap and the taste was much more promising. Interesting how much of a difference "fresh" makes. This is a good "stepping stone" beer for those unfamiliar with O-fest brews.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 14:23:56 | More by brewskifan55

Samp01

New Jersey

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

12 oz bottle pours a crystal clear reddish amber with a short lived small off-white head. Aroma of toasted barley, malt some light grassy fruitiness. Taste is sweet toasted caramel malt, yeasty light breadiness, wit some fruity notes and light bitterness. Palate is medium crisp body, with nice carbonation. Finish is lightly toasted sweet caramel malt, yeasty, bready some light grassy and fruity notes with some light hops and light nutty ending. Overall a decent drinkable Oktoberfest from Shiner.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 19:23:49 | More by Samp01

UTCengOwl

Texas

2.17/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I'm not the biggest fan of Shiner and I think that's going to show through in this review. A friend brought a 6 pack over for the OU/UT football game and I'm sad to say that the game was more depressing than the beer... and the friend couldn't even finish her bottle. Not a good day for football.

I wanted to hate on the appearance because of the negative experience I had with the beer yesterday, but this actually looks ok-ish. Strikingly clear golden body. 2-finger bone white head that forms after a vigorous-as-possible pour... but it stays around longer than I would have guessed.

The smell takes me a few sniffs to really get (I've got a bit of a cold... and it's just not that powerful). There's a mix of Munich and caramel grains in there. There's also a very slight noble hop presence. Unfortunately, there's also a grainy mustiness that I don't find that inviting.

The taste is... medicore. Maybe worse. Some slight graininess that reminds me of other Octoberfests. However, it ends in a dirty and vegetal manner. Not appetizing. This beer is a boring take on the style that manages to finish in an offputting way. I might drink another bottle of the free 6 pack... but I kind of doubt it.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 21:29:01 | More by UTCengOwl

sommersb

Tennessee

3.6/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 10-07-2011
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Seidel
Purchased: 6-pack from Kroger

The label says this is a Märzen-style Oktoberfest, but then refers to it twice as an ale? A bit confusing, but I think that's due to quirky Texas law.

Poured in a half-liter stein, I get a big 4 to 5 fingers of tan head, with good lacing and retention. The color is a bright, clear light copper. A few bubbles can be seen streaming from the bottom of the glass.

Aromas are of gentle, earthy hops and some bready malts. Not a lot of aroma overall.

Taste is composed of caramel malts and a little sweetness, balanced well by a slight bitterness. Crisp and clean lager, with high carbonation on a light body. Finishes lightly dry but still has a lingering toasted malt sweetness.

Overall a good, easy drinking beer from Shiner.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 03:56:40 | More by sommersb

LeafCutter

Texas

2.25/5  rDev -32.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pour- A lighter copper than I was expecting for an Oktoberfest. Very small white head, which is quick to go.

Smell- Nothing too outstanding, like a good malty sweetness. Instead I'm smelling low amounts of malt with somewhat drowned out spices

Taste- Taste how it smells. Real watery for an Oktoberfest, lacking character. It's carbonation seems a bit too much, or maybe I'm just thinking miller light when I drink it. Malt is there, but its at the end of the taste. I like an Oktoberfest to be malty throughout my taste..

Overall - I was a bit disappointed. I bought a six of this and a six of real ale's Oktoberfest( a little texan comparison). It was night and day. It's an Oktoberfest that needs a bit more attention before I'd buy again. The Shiner's Oktoberfest will go to a party, the Real Ale's will stay with me ;)

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 20:43:36 | More by LeafCutter

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

With a fairly aggressive pour a small to medium, foamy, off-white to cream colored head that quickly settles down to a few clumpy islands and no lace. Color is a clear, medium amber with some small bubble trails. Aroma is beery with a little malt and a bare hint of skunk (grocery store cooler near fluorescent bulbs). Flavor is similar but much stronger - pick up the malt, a little fruit, and some marshmallow. Body is a tad on the thin side and carbonation is likewise a tad fizzy. Finish is like flavor. Overall, maybe it would've been better warmed a bit out of my cold fridge; but, I'd only drink this again if I didn't have any better options.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 03:53:50 | More by drpimento

jeffjeff1

California

3.18/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My mom picked this up for me in Fairfield while I was at drill.

Appearance- copper color, thin head

Smell- bready malt

Taste- bready malt mostly

Mouthfeel- medium bodied

Drinkability- It's ok. I would drink it again. It's one of those beers where you can drink a whole bunch of them. Pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 18:47:20 | More by jeffjeff1

agomega

Ohio

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

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a light copper color with a frothy white head which fades quickly.

Smell: Very faint earthy, bready aroma.

Taste: Sweet malty flavors including toast and a slight caramel. Something is slightly off with the taste, but it is hard to identify. The beer almost tastes a little stale, but it can't be more than a month old.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Fairly high carbonation.

Overall: An okay beer. Drinkable, but not one that I would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 20:27:23 | More by agomega

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

SWMeyer4141

Texas

2.25/5  rDev -32.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I continue to drink all of "Shiners" beers in hopes to find a good one. I may just be done drinking them after this, we'll see...

Appearance-A lighter copper body with a one finger off white head that dissipates fairly quickly.

Smell-Pale Malts, some light caramel notes. Very subtle pumpkin spice, but nothing too exciting.

Taste-Just fucking bland as shit. Has the components of an octoberfest but it's just bland, watery, and horrible.

Mouthfeel-Very light, as expected. Medium carbination.

Overall-It just angers me that they keep putting out shitty beers and that idiots like me keep buying them(But at least they're singles). Don't purchase this crap.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 03:16:01 | More by SWMeyer4141

Dodt

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

got a six pack of this one a bit ago had one left decide to review it.
poured from the bottle into a pint glass, appearance light amber color with a light head that provides some lace . slight aroma and some maltyness.nice mouthfeel and flavor from this beer . found this beer to be quite enjoyable .

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 02:23:31 | More by Dodt

chicagobill13

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shiner Oktoberfest, I will be honest I am a huge fan of their beer. I just can't help drinking it.

Color: a ver nice golden to cooper look to this beer.

Smell: very slight smell to this beer.

Taste and mouthfeel: A very nice and balance malt taste to it. A very drinkable and session beer.

Enjoy! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 23:02:23 | More by chicagobill13

barleyroad

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice light amber in appearance. Smell is good to average. The taste is nice, goes in good and leaves much better. Wow this is nice. Shiner Boys you did this right. Mouth feel is good, every thing you want in a beer. We here at barley road call this fridge worthy must have. Thanks Shiner.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 00:44:09 | More by barleyroad

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

FickleBeast

New Jersey

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

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours a very pale amber / orange color with a full finger of healthy white foam. Foam lingers and coats the glass. Aroma has a husky, grainy flavor to it - i've detected it many times before, I should figure out a better way to describe it.

Flavor is moderately sweet, with a healthy mouthfeel and lingering stale malt finish. I like this much better than the Spaten Octoberfest that I just had. The flavors are cleaner, and I don't get a harsh aftertaste.

That being said, I'm not tremendously excited about this beer either. It has a nice malty flavor, but there is nothing that really wows me. Overall solidly good, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 04:51:19 | More by FickleBeast

droomyster

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear dark gold that this of a much lighter hue than most of the high end oktoberfests, with a white head with decent retention. The aromas a super grainy but not in the least bit toasty, which is highly disappointing. Flavorwise, it more in common with a a loaf of white bread than any sort of toast. It's very bready with a hint of caramel maltiness, but doesn't begin to explore the darker notes that are the reasons I seek out Oktoberfests in the first place. If I were to make a 10 item list of the characteristics I've come to expect from a Marzen, this beer would have only two of them, and they're the proper weight and texture. No need to try another.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 09:11:51 | More by droomyster

weller1js

West Virginia

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

appearance: pours a clear amber, heavily carbonated with bubbly off-white head that dissipates with slight lacing.

smell: light essences of earthy harvest malts, even lighter crisp toastiness.

taste: begins watery, like the scent there is a light earthy malt base, with a light sweetness which is quickly overwhelmed by the bitter hop notes, finishing in similar bitter fashion.

overall: very basic Märzen style, very light and basic, drinkable, but nothing to highlight.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 01:28:06 | More by weller1js

zeff80

Missouri

3.38/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, burgundy color with a small, off-white head of foam. It left little to no lacing.

S - It smelled of caramel and butterscotch. Some mild floral notes.

T - It tasted very sweet with caramel and butterscotch flavors. It had a mild floral hop presence.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied lager with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is an okay oktoberfest. A little sweeter than I like but it's not bad.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 01:45:36 | More by zeff80