Oktoberfest - Goose Island Beer Co.

DCon

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap @ Missouri Bar & Grill in St. Louis, MO for $4. Tapped from the Goose Island Handle w/ "Seasonal" written on the front into a 16oz Pint Glass. After asking two different employees, the Bartender AND Manager who orders the beer, I was able to confirm this was G.I.'s Oktoberfest. Funny it says retired on here!

Aroma- Very light aroma and actually, took my glass outside to see if I could capture anything. Nothing but malts and a clean brew altogether. Almost seems like rice is a strong scent here too.

Appearance- Received with a 1.5, creamy, off-white head that has good retention. Has a light red color body that has tremendous clarity. Leaves thick lacing behind.

Flavor- Very strong but nice maltiness and the hits you with sweetness and complexity afterwards. A light hop bitterness is present at the end and makes this very different than other Oktoberfests!

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, Light-Medium Carbonation, Smooth, Creamy, and very complexed through the finish.

Overall Impression- Just when I thought I'd have my last Oktoberfest, I see one that catches my eye! Very awesome for the style too!! Very easy drinking but then has quite a bit of ingredient for one of the Goose Island "main stream" line up brews. Enjoyed tons and look forward to again!

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2011 03:57:14 | More by DCon

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tried on tap at the Clyburn pub, 28 Sep 2011. Served in a 16 oz mug.

Small beige head lingers a while. Lightly carbonated. Clear orange brown in color. Aroma is malty sweet with a touch of toastiness. Taste starts much the same, malty sweet, toasty, a touch of astringency. Medium body, mild alcohol. Becomes more toasty through the middle. Finish is toasty and a bit drier.

The menu has this listed at 5.9% ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 01:02:51 | More by htomsirveaux

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.43/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Amber pour. Minimal head. Caramel all over the place, dominates aroma and taste.

Sweet, not overly, thin body, more caramel. Not bitter, creamy. Kinda dry for the level of sweetness on the first sip. Low carbonation, drinks similar to Sprecher's Amber Lager.

Not my thing, a smooth malty fall beer w/o hops.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 22:45:10 | More by Beerandraiderfan

ProfessorHomer

New York

4.33/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow! This one stopped me in my tracks - the taste is THAT good! Interesting that this is a Marzen, with the cascade hops this tastes more like an ESB.

A chestnut beauty. Long-lasting head and good lacing.

The taste was fantastic! The hops were, of course, a fairly prominent note throughout.

Carbonation was typical Oktoberfest - subdued so that you could concentrate on the other, more important aspects of this fine brew.

Exceptional taste, exceptional drinkability! Another big hit for Goose Island, whose beers are just becoming available to us here in Albany.

VERY highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 16:32:54 | More by ProfessorHomer

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Part of the anniversary cellar collection, I cracked this one open with dinner tonight. Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 02/21/2009.

The pour was nice enough with a medium amber colored body and nice carbonation in and around the glass. A nice head of white that was maybe an inch high came up over the top and settled down quickly into a nice tight little layer. The aroma was loaded with malts, and hints of sour fruits which served as a night little break from the norm. Rich flavor here, lots of bread, hints of fruit and a nice touch of caramel to lighten it up. Different and more complex then I would have thought. Smooth, easy drinking and super sessionable I had no issue at all with putting this one down very quickly. A solid beer I would look for again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 00:27:27 | More by mikesgroove

Soneast

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nice malty aroma. Color is copper, quite usual for an Oktoberfest. Taste is also about what I'd expect from an Oktoberfest, nice malty, sweet almost caramel front, with a tad bit of bitterness at the end. Overall a decent Oktoberfest offering from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2008 00:00:42 | More by Soneast

GbVDave

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml wax sealed "20th Anniversary Cellar Collection" bottle into a 20oz imperial pint.

The label clearly states "Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub, Chicago, IL 60614" so that's why this review is here and not in with the Fulton St. brewery reviews.

A: Pours a moderately carbonated, clear copper color with a tiny & bubbly off-white head that leaves a slight trace of lace.

S: Excellent aromas of caramel, toasted malt, fresh picked apple, toffee, tangy lemon, and a hint of pan roasted nut.

T: The first few sips greeted my tongue with an excellent toasted bread crust flavor. After that other flavors emerged. Caramel/toffee, toasty malt, roasted nut, tart apple, tangy/lemon-y hops, and earthy grains.

M: At once juicy & full and dry & roasty. Starts sweet and sticky and quickly veers over to the dry, toasty, and bitter side of things. Dry roasted malt and hop bitterness keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying and obtrusive.

D: This is an absolute pleasure to drink and seems much more complex than the old discontinued 12oz bottled version of this. I was never terribly excited to drink the old version but this batch seems so much different...

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-08-2008 22:43:59 | More by GbVDave

botham

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap poured into a mug at the Clybourn Brewpub in Chicago. pours a hazy orangish amber color with a single finger of off-white head, solid lacings and good retention.

aroma is of mild grain and caramel malt, along with fruit notes of plum and dark grapes. very hearty in the nose.

taste is of mild grain, with caramel and mild bitterness with a bit of citrusy hops. very complete on the palate, with a curious touch of wheat malt present.

mouthfeel is medium bodied with a smooth and lightly creamy texture and a smooth finish of residual caramel malt.

drinkability is great. this is an easy-going unfiltered marzen, with a fresh profile and a rich and flavorful quality that is what makes the style so great. happy oktoberfest! cheers!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

09-28-2008 16:31:59 | More by botham

kinger

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sweet malty aroma with a sharp hoppy nose. Dark bronze pour with a nice off white head and lots of lacing. Mouthfeel is crisp yet not full enough to reflect the abundant aroma and powerful flavor. Goose Island once again finds a wonderful blend of sweet creamy malts and complimentary hops in this brew. A nice all around quality here, fine example.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

08-12-2008 20:15:41 | More by kinger

jfrank85

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A good beer in my opinion. Out of the bottle and into the glass, this beer has a amber tint to it. The smell was great, high notes of carmel and a nice sized head made this a quick favorite of mine. This is the first Oktoberfest beer i have ever had and i would def. try others.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

07-12-2007 18:19:23 | More by jfrank85

drewbage

California

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled from a nice fresh bottle sent in a trade. Poured into of all things a Waterford crystal tumbler. It's a strange thing.. shut up.. the glass was here in front of me.

Pours a nice brown with orange highlights.. no head in the glass, but some white bubbles hanging desperately on the side.

Aroma is a nice toasty malt and just a long munichy malt aroma.

Flavor is spicy with a toasted flavor that lends just a touch of acridiness that runs into the hops that plays against the carbonation.

Medium bodied runs through to a clean finish

Ultimately a very smooth and easy drinking Ofest.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

01-17-2007 07:55:41 | More by drewbage

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For starters, this is not an Oktoberfest. It's a very American amber in my opinion. Not a bad beer, but stil not an O-fest. The flavor starts with sweet grains and then moves into a rich roasted caramel flavor. It this roasted flavor that's uncharacteristic. Still a very drinkable beer, not a bad choice if you're going to hoist some steins.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

01-01-2007 18:00:31 | More by tempest

SMark

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pouring this one at 45 degrees after letting it sit out of a 33 degree refrigerator for 30 minutes. Changed the setting on my fridge during that time. Amber pour with approximately 3/4 inch head which went away rather quickly.

Malt and hops combine for a nice aroma. Not overwhelming but hopefully a small precursor of what is to come

Lively on the tongue with a twinge of sweetness going well with the malt. Do not get much of the hops till later and then only slight.

Taste does not linger in the mouth but overall feeling is acceptable with no discerning flaws.

A better than average Oktoberfest but only about an average effort for a Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

12-04-2006 22:44:47 | More by SMark

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Not a bad beer here, just that there are much better Oktober's out there. The best part of this beer is it's appearance. Nice fluffy head and lacing all the way down the glass. A little hoppy kickback at the end. A little too light in the body. Some caramel and burnt nut tastes going on. Overall a pretty decent Oktober I'd never refuse, but I won't seek it out either.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-17-2006 04:36:38 | More by bigdeuce

uwmgdman

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This Oktoberfest pours a very deep copper-red into my mug with a moderate white head that quickly diminished to thin skim but with a patchy lasting lace. I must say the color of this brew is truly something to marvel at, incredible dark copper-red with extreme brilliance. The aroma of the beer is moderate-high malty sweet, with hints of spicy, toasted grains. Very little hop aroma is detected. The taste of the beer is wonderful. The sweet malt is moderate-high in perception with a little spicyness and a moderate hop bitterness, the initially sweet brew leaves my mouth fairly dry and wanting more. The carbonation is moderate with a medium body. Overall I was quite impressed with this Oktoberfest. I was very impressed with the consistency of every category. The appearance and taste were truly great. The sweetness is balanced enough by the hop bitterness and the finish of the beer is perhaps its best quality. Next year this won’t be a single, definitely a full 6er or more.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-11-2006 03:23:47 | More by uwmgdman

Adamthome1

Nebraska

4.15/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours amber into a pilsner glass, highly carbonated, frothes up a bit and reduces to minor lacing. Hops detected in the nose, almost a citrousy, floral smell, promising in the nose.

Sweet tasting, hops stand out a bit, little malt flavor. Goes down easy and the aftertaste is sweet and dry; very pleasant, more than I expected.

I haven't had their Oktoberfest from years past but 2006's was a darn good effort. A really good American Oktoberfest for sure. This is also a good beer to give your friend who is an american macro drinker to get him to understand that there's more than one king of beer out there. I think they'd be surprised with the flavor.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-06-2006 17:19:12 | More by Adamthome1

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Definitly one of my favorite octoberfest beers. Tried for the first time this past fall and was very delighted. It poured a great dark burnt sienna shade with a nice head. The aroma was malty and pleasant. This is truly one of the better american-made octoberfest beers out there, atleast that my taste buds have had the privilege of discovering. Full of roasted caramel malts with easy smooth drinking. No funky aftertaste, clean and tasty. Truly superb.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-04-2006 19:21:29 | More by jasonpeckins32

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Acquired a 12 oz. bottle recently from BA DavidEddie, poured to a pint glass. The festive seasonal label shows a goose wearing a feathered German cap and poised above an overflowing beer stein. Just a few hours until November, I figured I needed to squeeze in one last Oktoberfest before the calendar changed months...

A: Dark amber color with a 2 finger frothy whitish head. Lots of tiny carbonation and very clear. Lace is minimal.

S: Malt - slightly sweet, slightly toasted. Some grain and just a trace of hop bitterness.

T: Malty sweet and doughy. Caramel toasted malts. A little tangy from the lager yeast with a slightly bitter finish. Label lists Noble hops; they give a clean and freshness to the finish also.

M: Mouthfeel is light and body is medium. Carbonation is light and finish is generally refreshing and clean.

D: An uncomplicated beer, good flavor and easy to drink. This must be a very popular festival/session beer. I'd have another...thanks, Dave.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-01-2006 21:04:58 | More by msubulldog25

BigRedN

Nebraska

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours from the 12 oz bottle into a pint glass a dark amber, slightly orangish. The pour produces a 1/4 inch off white head that fades to a ring around the glass with spotty lacing.

Smell: Mostly this one is about malts, as I would expect. Caramel malt, slightly roasted, slightly sweet.

Taste: Slightly sweet malt on the outset, there appears to be some slightly roasted malt here as this one warms at the end. There is also some nice hop bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Close to medium body with light carbonation, a little prickly on the tongue. This one is still light enough that it can be consumed in large quantity.

Drinkability: An enjoyable drinkable, American version of the Oktoberfest style. I'll buy ythis again next year for sure.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-01-2006 03:52:42 | More by BigRedN

wcudwight

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Color is darker than other versions of the style I've had. Similar in appearance to Sierra Nevada's Oktoberfest. Decent head that left a little early.
Nice aroma. That smells a little like raisins and coffee. Interesting as I haven't gotten this aroma from any Oktoberfest this year.
Taste a bit like my wife's homemade wheat bread. Caramel and sweet that is balanced by a bready or oat flavor instead of a hoppy flavor. This is very good.
The mouthfeel is heavier and fuller than other Oktoberfest I've had. Has a bone dry finish.
This is a very drinkable and flavorful beer.
I have beckje01 to thank for it.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-26-2006 01:11:04 | More by wcudwight

TastyTaste

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: On the darker end of the Oktoberfest spectrum, brown-orange colored, head is gone almost instantly, little to no lacing.

Smell: Grainy and metallic, lightly toasted. OK.

Taste: More of a balanced flavor, but also a weaker on in the style. The beer improves vastly as it warms a little. Bigger malt and sharper hops come out, and make it a very pleasant beer.

Drinkability: Easy to drink, an above average example.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-22-2006 18:24:53 | More by TastyTaste

DrainBamage

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark copper color with slight head. The carbonation is moderate along with the clarity.It has a rosasty aroma with a hint of carmel. It goes down smooth and hop character is a little strong in the aftertaste. I also noticed a smoky taste to it. The ingredients and pretty well balanced and the flavor is well pronounced. This is probably one of the best oktoberfest's I 've had.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-15-2006 02:58:30 | More by DrainBamage

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fresh from the brewpub, enjoyed the next day.

Pours a clear orange/brown, dense off white head forms, goes pretty quick but laces well. Smell is sweet and malty, caramel and a little smoke, bread and citrus. Taste is sweet and malty as well, smoky, little bit of chocolate, bread, caramel, citrus, delicate hop finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to medium carbonation, very drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: growler
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-15-2006 00:07:46 | More by Viggo

TechMyst

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

CONTAINER VOLUME: U.S. Pint
CONTAINER TYPE: shaker
FRESH: on-tap
PURCHASED @: Gino’s East, Chicago(they’re back on Superior now)
COST: $4
HEAD: minimal
LACE: small spots; quickly falling
COLOR: hazy orange
AROMA: sweet malts
MOUTHFEEL: medium; harsh carbonation
PALATE: slightly resinous
TASTE: metallic
COMMENTS: almost refreshing
CONDITIONS:
MOWING/WORKING ON CAR- n
WITH FRIENDS- m
SIPPING- n
GET MY BUZZ ON-n

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-11-2006 06:40:08 | More by TechMyst

3.68/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub. My first Oktoberfest, so take review with a grain of salt.

The beer was a clear, light brown color. It had a fairly large, light tan head.

Aroma was all malt. Bread and yeast. No hops I could smell.

Flavor was mainly sweet - caramel. Some indistinguishable fruit flavors in there as well. Hopping was minor, and noticed just a bit at the finish.

Light to medium in body. Medium + in carbonation. Almost a bit slick in texture.

My description above doesn't really do this beer any justice. It was quite good, and I am looking forward to drinking this one again, and sampling others in the category.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-09-2006 19:56:42 | More by