Oktoberfest - Sly Fox Brewing Company

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz can into hardywood park tulip.

A: very clear body. a bright orange color, not as dark as most oktoberfests. head starts slightly off-white and is bubbly, but doesnt stick around for long.

S: a little diacytal on the nose. a little vinous. pear and apple juice. a mild earthy character is present too.

T: toffee. mild butterscotch. the bitterness battles with the sweetness of the crystal grains, but i think the grain still wins. similar to the nose there is a fruity apple-ish flavor as well.

M: moderate carbonation on a light body.

D: pretty unimpressive ofest example from sly fox. they make some good lagers, but this is a big pass.

Serving type: can

08-29-2012 00:11:19 | More by Jimmys

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.18/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

thanks to riggsy for this one

another awesome label from sly fox.

pours lighter than expected into a brooklyn octoberfest mug (er, oKtoberfest). candy corn-orange, murky with a large and light whipped egg foam. mango syrup and hi-c?

they've achieved a real spicy nose here, but its not consistent with a marzen/octoberfest profile. it's yeasty in a apricot fruity way with some black pepper, reminiscent of chouffe. chouffe with hints of black licorice and strawberries. no doubt intriguing and delicious to my nose but not sure if this is what i want from this beer.

yeah, that's kinda how it tastes too. this is way too dry and the malt profile and discreet sweetness is nowhere to be found. grassy and a bit 'wild'.. is this a bad bottle? finish comes closer to orval than chouffe.. champagne mouthfeel and finish without excessive bitterness. i mean, this beer is interesting- had it been labeled differently i might be satisfied with my experience.

yeah, well i'm not. this beer is the weirdest octoberfest i've ever sampled. not terrible, but i was psyched for something traditional.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2006 13:02:42 | More by goodbyeohio

WesWes

New York

3.18/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a dark golden color with a two finger foamy white head that slowly fades to lacing. There are loads of carbonation bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass. The aroma is decent. It has a very dry lager feel with mostly pilsner and Munich malt aromas. The taste is average. It's quite dry with just a hint of malt character. It goes down with a struggle and finishes with a bitter hop taste. I think I might have a skunked bottle, although I've taken all the precautions to avoid that. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a low/medium bodied beer with good carbonation. This isn't a favorite of mine. There are plenty of better examples of this style on the market.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2008 01:38:06 | More by WesWes

claspada

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep orange in color with a medium size head that quickly receded to some surface foam with little to no lacing.

Aromas begin with a mild maltiness; mostly pilsner and Munich malt aromas. Some light dry fruitiness most likely from some hops emerge a little as it warms.

The tastes begin with toasted bready malt, toasted nuts, caramel and a faint hop bitterness. The grains are sweet with a juicy green apple finish.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is smooth at the start with a dry finish.

Overall this is a nice drinkable version of this style, but don't expect to be blown away by it. Would be better served in a 6 pack as the value is lacking for this 22oz serving.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 14:55:48 | More by claspada

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of Hopdog: Poured a light amber color lager with a super huge foamy head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of light caramel malt is enjoyable and refreshing. Taste of caramel malt is dominating with some light hops closing the show. Body is a bit thin but carbonation is very lively. Good example of the style but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2006 15:07:18 | More by Phyl21ca

amphion1065

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

16 oz. pour into a pint glass at Local 44. Reviewed from notes.

I don't care how lame this sounds, I'll come right out and say it: this beer reminds me of foliage. Clear, borderline translucent brown with some orange and red highlights glinting in the sun, this is quite pretty. Unfortunately, there's not too much head to speak of, and only minimal lacing.

The smell is malty and sweet, with a caramel-like aroma. Bready and just a little hoppy, too.

The taste is more like that of a brown ale than an oktoberfest, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. Quite a bit hoppier than I expected, with a perceptible bitterness. A little caramel, and a flavor that reminds me of chocolate as well. The hops/malt balance is nicely done.

The mouthfeel is far too watery for the style, though the carbonation is fine. Too thin to be really enjoyable.

A fine domestic marzen, though nothing particularly noteworthy.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2011 00:33:27 | More by amphion1065

jaluria

Connecticut

3.38/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Orange-rust color with heavy carbonation and a big, bold white head when poured. Aromas of pumpkin seeds, malt, hops, and dried fruit. The taste is hoppy with a nice, gentle finish. Malt and roasted sugar flavors add depth, but seem to be countered by scented herbs; not very appealing. A definite floral element in the aroma as well as in the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2006 18:28:03 | More by jaluria

maddogruss

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got a draft of this from the brewpub in Phoenixville.

A: Pours an orange-amber body with a minimal, white head with some head retention and some lacing through the finish.

S: A slightly sweet, malty smell with a hint of sweet apple juice.

T: A very sweet, malty taste with a sweet apple juice aftertaste with some vanilla notes as well.

M: A medium bodied beer that was pretty crisp.

D: A pretty good mouthfeel and taste combination that yielded a pretty good Oktoberfest overall.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2008 03:14:13 | More by maddogruss

dsa7783

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle copped for $4.99 from Buy Rite on Oak Tree in South Plainfield... bright copper, apple-juice colored appearance with minimal frothy head that also left a negligent amount of lacing... smell was average to say the least - not very strong or noticeable, but more watered down and bland... taste was very crisp, clean, and clear... orange logo sticker states "Aged To Perfection At Our Brewery"... vanilla and caramel flavor is nicely present and makes for a nice depiction of the style... light, slightly water-like mouthfeel with a good drinkability due to the obviously low ABV and subtle presentation of flavors... a nice representation of the style by Sly Fox... good stuff... Worth a try...

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 23:16:41 | More by dsa7783

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nice orange hue with a small thin head.

S: Lots of malts hit first then the spicey notes of light cinnamon and nutmeg.

T: Taste is of the same, sweet and indulgent.

M: Medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Overall a great beer from PA brewers at Sly Fox.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2011 21:48:00 | More by nukem5

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden-copper color with a head that went from one finger to almost nothing in no time flat. Good clarity with a moderate amount of carbonation bubbles floating northward.

Mild aroma of toasted malts and grain.

Taste is malty up front accompanied by a hint of apple cider. Thins out towards the middle and the finish features a bit of a metallic flavor.

A bit on the thin side for the style and far as mouthfeel goes. Carbonation is about middle of the road, which is good.

Not bad....certainly drinkable, but I'll stick with Great Lakes version.

Morey's Bottom Line: Not my top choice within the style, but I'd happily have another if someone offered one up.

Serving type: can

09-19-2011 22:56:38 | More by Morey

cpolking

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to tone77 for this can. The beer pours copper and amber in color, well-carbonated. There is a half inch of thick, fizzy, foamy off-white head.

The aroma is malty, roasted, toasted, caramel, a tad nutty.

The taste follows the aromas, nice maltiness, perfectly bitter on the finish for the style. The mouthfeel is both carbonated and creamy, with a dry finish. There are Oktoberfests with more flavor, but this has a nice taste and is extremely drinkable.

Serving type: can

10-19-2012 02:44:08 | More by cpolking

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass at Market Cross Pub in Carlisle.

A: The Oktoberfestbier is a bright amber orange color. The brightness of the beer accentuates its translucence. Little head arose on pour.

S: The nose is malty with a full sweet grain presence. Dry fruits are present in a limited manner.

T: Each sip is a malty wonderland, with grainy and cereal popping up in each swallow. The grains are sweet with a juicy green apple finish. Their depth is chewy and sweet enough to make a lasting impression. Hops are bittering and well-hidden in the background.

M: The mouthfeel is malty, bready with a sweet undertone. At times it comes across thin but for the most part it is a good sipper.

D: A decent O-festbier. Not my first choice but if presented with it I'd be happy.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 03:05:10 | More by akorsak

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a orange-ish to copper color with a small white head. In the aroma, sweet biscuit malt and a small earthiness. In the taste, earthiness and a dry maltiness. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, and a small dry earthy fruitiness. Nice representation of style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2010 01:46:53 | More by OWSLEY069

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

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

Pour - dark golden in color with some reddish-brown hues. The head is only about a quarter of an inch in thickness and even that fades quickly.

Aroma - malty, biscuity, apple blossoms, grainy and slight hints of lemons and cherries.

Taste - slightly grainy, earthy, hints of Marmite, caramel, brown sugar, bread dough and orange peel. Mostly this is sweet and malty with a nice finish of caramel and brown bread.

Overall - Not a whole lot of body or complexity here but it does make for a very sessionable beer. I could hoist a few liters of this without too much trouble.

Would I buy more of it? - I might if I was bringing something to a fall barbecue or wanted to share the first craft-brewed Oktoberfest with some friends.

Serving type: can

09-19-2010 02:26:52 | More by indiapaleale

kbnooshay

New York

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Poured an orange amber color with a thin off-white head. Aroma is very reminiscent of a german ocktoberfest. Fairly hoppy. This tastes german too! This is a lot lighter in the malt department than an american octoberfest The feel is slightly dry and tingly from the carbonation. This s a very drinkable brew due to its overall lightness.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 02:08:25 | More by kbnooshay

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a cloudy light brown color with a small head. Smell is sweet, a bit of malts. Taste is good, malts,apples, a bit of sweetness, a rather different flavor for this style. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has good drinkability. Overall this is a good quality brew.

Serving type: can

12-11-2010 18:47:23 | More by tone77

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Spicey hop nose with a crack of caramel in the slightly sweet aftertaste. Very drinkable, nothing offensive. Pours a nice craggy white head, with moderate lacing down the glass. Very crisp and smooth on the palate. Modestly carbonated for a slightly dry, sweet finish. An excellent Oktoberfest choice for the fall.

Serving type: can

11-08-2010 22:49:01 | More by bigdeuce

washburnkid

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Relatively clear orange copper with a cap of white head that retains as a small ring throughout the session. Aromas are biscuity sweet malt. Subtle fresh hay or grass to balance. Spice, bitter herbs, caramel sweetness. Light and just less than crisp mouthfeel...could use a little more carbonation. I love a simple, balanced marzen. Sly Fox did a great job adhering to the style with this one!

Serving type: can

10-01-2011 02:30:36 | More by washburnkid

BigMike

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"O'zapft is!"

Poured from a bomber into a tulip.

Best by date of 1/28/10

Pours a golden color with orange and yellow highlights. Clean and clear. Topped with about a finger and a half of puffy head. Bright white in color that disappears quickly with minimal lacing left.
Smell is spicey with a touch of caramel sweetness.
Light malty sweetness in the flavor. A bit of coriander spicyness and a touch of hops balance it out.
Medium mouthfeel. Light,crisp and clean.
Good drinkability. At 5.8% it's very sessionable.
Not a particular favorite style of mine but i found this one very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 22:54:27 | More by BigMike

HotHands

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a transparent amber color with a white head. Some lacing present.

S - apple and toffee aromas are present.

T - great malt flavors. Good amount of caramel, toffee, nuttiness, and a bit of spice with some hops at the end to give it a clean finish.

M - good carbonation and a lighter body for added drinkability.

D - a great "sessionable" beer that will get you in the mood for fall. Ideal with football games.

This is one of the better O-fests out there, so try to pick it up. I also put a bit of it on my sausage, peppers, and onions while they were sauteeing and it came out great.

Serving type: can

09-25-2010 21:59:40 | More by HotHands

Phillyduke

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 22 oz. bomber poured into a nonic pint glass. Beer is a tawny copper color with a slight chill haze and a 1 finger head that recedes to a nice thick cap with lots of nice chunky lacing clinging to the sides of the glass. Noticeably active carbonation.

S: Husky grains, some roasted malt, and a faint whiff of floral hops.

T: Bready malts with a touch of caramel up front, followed by a nice bite from some bittering hops on the finish. A touch of alcohol comes to the forefront as the beer warms.

M: Carbonation is soft and velvety on the palate, while the finish is crisp, dry, and a tad lip-puckering.

D/O: The lack of any cloying sweetness from a build-up of aggressive malts on the palate make this an extremely sessionable Oktoberfest beer, though I would like to experience a little more malt character up front to compliment the nicely (but not overly) hopped finish. Several of these in a sitting would be an easy chore. Overall, another very nice traditional example of the style from a Pennsylvania brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2008 20:10:32 | More by Phillyduke

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a sixer of this interesting looking beer a few days ago and almost forgot it was sitting around in the fridge. Sucks working 12 hour days...

Appearance: Pours a dark orange with about an inch of foam head. Clear copper brown once it settles. Barely any lacing.

Smell: Has a scent of mild malty and sweet grains. Was expecting more from the scent, but oh well.

Taste: Bitter malts and toasted caramel. Has a somewhat slight scent of possibly vanilla, but its sort of hard to tell. Also noticed a bit of citrus.

Mouthfeel: A bit thick and bitter in the beginning with a strong overtone of malts. Finishes sweet and smooth, but not a beer to be drank quickly.

Overall: Was definitely expecting something much more from this beer. It is a decent O-Fest beer, but not a beer I would have again. I would recommend if you want to explore the O-Fest beers and new to the game. Maybe next time Sly Fox

Serving type: can

10-15-2011 01:46:27 | More by DMXLOX22

gator0877

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass from a can. It had a nice copper color with about a half inch of white head. The head disappeared very quick. Nice amount of carbonation. Got a nice nose of malts, no trace of hops in the nose at all. Very smooth creamy body. I am getting all malt on this but it is not as sweet as some other Octoberfest are. I like this beer, I am glad I got a case because I will enjoy this one through the fall.

Serving type: can

08-11-2010 04:06:25 | More by gator0877

magine

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours into a pint glass.

Pours a hazy light amber/orange color. Has a thin off white head. Minimal lace. Decent appearance.

Brew smells malty; sweet biscuit malts, fruit hops. Has a pleasant smell.

Brew is balanced, not too carbonated and has some nice smoothness to it. Can taste biscuit malts, and fruity hops. Has a slightly bitter aftertaste. Slightly spicy hops. Easy drinking brew. Drinks like a good lager. Brew tatses pretty good.

This along with Pumpkin brews aren't my favorite style; thats not to say I don't like them. I think I am just waiting to be wowed by one. But they are just among the lower styles if I were to rank all the styles. This is a good marzen/oktoberfest brew. Sly Fox is very solid with their offerings. Good sessionable brew.

Serving type: can

09-10-2010 00:58:24 | More by magine