Octoberfest - Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

2.18/5  rDev -36.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a clear golden color with about one finger of white fluffy head that didn’t last long.

The scent was very light, some toasted malt, and some notes of spice.

The flavor was also very light and thin, some sweet bready malt and notes of spices.

Light body, very crisp and watery, high carbonation.

I didn’t enjoy this beer at all. It tasted very cheap and had very little flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 20:59:03 | More by BeerCon5

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes I took last month and forgot about. On tap at the source, pours a lighter copper to orange color with a creamy slight off-white cap. Some streaming bubbles of carbonation maintain a layering across the top.

The nose has somewhat muted aromatics. As it warms up, there is light buttery diacetyl and some biscuit malt inclusion. This overall very clean smelling and typical of the style.

The flavor encompasses your expectations in the style. Toffee-like grain slightly buttery with a biscuit feel to it. A modest herbal hop aspect keeps the malt feel in check. There is a slight floral aspect to this which is nice and unique.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is somewhat crisp to the finish with an overall smooth feel that makes for an enjoyable experience. Very well done to style with perhaps just a slight edge of more than expected hoppiness but no compalins here. Would drink this again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 16:47:50 | More by stakem

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Two finger's worth of light airy slightly creamy bone colored head comprised of lots of big chunky bubbles... Modest retention gives way to a full thick rich lacing... The color is a very pale amber... There was a faint haziness as well... A slight bit of moderate paced large sized carbonation bubbles... Loads of lacing clings to the sides of the glass...

S - Cereal grains and toasted malts... Some bread crust... Perhaps even a slight bit of spiciness...

T - A very subtle sweetness to start in the form of caramel and toffee... Next comes a wave of bready malts... The finish has slight hop bite to it along with some faint metallic notes...

M -Light to medium bodied... Crisp... Clean... Moderate carbonation... The finish is a touch on the dry side...

D - A simple straight forward Marzen that is rather sessionable... This one is very average in a good way... Nothing spectacular... Nothing off putting... Nothing pretentious... Just a straight forward rendition of the style that I had no problem finishing...

Serving type: growler

10-27-2012 00:48:01 | More by philbe311

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.

A - Pours clear golden orange with a nice one and a half finger tall white head leaving thin rings of lace down most of the glass.

S - Smells of lightly toasted caramel malt and light noble hop bitterness. Smells just like a classic Oktoberfest with a touch less malt.

T - Starts off with some light sweetness quickly giving way to hints of light noble hop bitterness and some lightly toasted bready malt. Finish is dry, not lingering on the palate for very long after the finish. Could use a little more maltiness but it is still really easy to consume.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth, creamy feel from start to finish. Just how it should be IMO.

O - This is a really solid locally made Oktoberfest. You can really tell the 9 months in the lagering tank did their job. Not really sure how I would rank it against the others in the style but it is definitely worth a shot if you have a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2012 18:04:48 | More by orangesol