Narragansett Fest - Narragansett Brewing Co.

markh814

4.73/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

i finally found this on tap at a local bar and i liked it a lot. out of the can it is great and on tap it's fantastic!

appearance - copper/bronze is the best way to describe it. deep color clear through

smell - slightly spicy, nice malt with hop backround

taste - clean malt with a nice seasonal hop finish (think Samual Adams Oktoberfest but better in my opinion) a little more to it

mouthfeel - medium body, very drinkable

overall - probably my my favorite oktoberfest beer right behing Ayinger. easy to find but only sold by the 6 pack (tallboy cans). Love this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2012 11:49:40 | More by markh814

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear dark copper to amber in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall creamy light beige head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of bready malts with some hints of caramel sweetness and a light amount of spicy hops.

T: Similar to the smell, there is a moderate strength body of toasted bready malts with some lighter amounts of caramel malt sweetness. There are light amounts of spicy and herbal hop flavors towards the finish. Some light hints of bitterness but the finish is slightly sweet.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Crisp and smooth. Light dryness in the finish.

O: Very easy to drink and enjoyable, could easily be sessionable and it was very easy to drink the 16 oz can of this one. A solid example of the style from a brewery that I have enjoyed all the beers I have tried (and all available at very reasonable prices in cans).

Serving type: can

09-08-2012 20:16:18 | More by dbrauneis

washburnkid

New York

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark copper with a big white head that quickly rises in the glass. Aromas are bready malt with a bit of sweet caramel. Flavor profile is mostly toasted bread but enough of an herbal character to call this beer balanced. Mouthfeel is medium and good carbonation. At roughly $8.99 for a 6er of tall cans, and considering the fact that I can sit here and drink this all day, I'll definitely be reaching for this one again. Awesome brew.

Serving type: can

09-08-2012 19:50:05 | More by washburnkid

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Into a pint glass:

A: golden red body that yields a one finger white foamy head that has no carbonation rising. Minimal lacing is lefft around the sides of the pint glass. The head slowly dies concavely into the body.

S: toffee and caramel up front with a sort of subdued light apple flavoring along with some toasted grains.

T: very good combination of hops and the previously mentioned flavorings.

M: light to medium with a light bitter finish. I would say this is a very drinkable beer.

O: this is a good Oktoberfest beer for the style and for me. I definitely would have this again.

Serving type: can

09-04-2012 23:24:30 | More by kangarooAdam59

daliandragon

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It's pretty hard for me to pass up any beer that puts Gambrinus, the legendary king of beer on the label. I actually like the regular 'Gansett, so this was a no brainer. The pour reveals a surprisingly attractive Marzen specimen, with a sunny orange hue and gobs of creamy head. Nose is German malts and their attendant baker's chocolate and toffee notes.

This is a fairly decent and authentic brew for the style, with a malt based body and some buttery and toasty flavors in the aftertaste and a bit of 'metalmouth' as well. The overall creaminess of the texture is high, just like the flagship brew from these guys. Must be something in the water up there. For a drinkable sixer of tall boys, you could do a lot worse.

Serving type: can

12-09-2011 02:57:34 | More by daliandragon

MasterSki

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to AutumnBeerLove for this extra. Served in a Stone pint glass.

A - Pours with a half-finger of white foam that settles to a near-complete cap and solid collar, leaving behind minimal lace. Transparent bronze body.

S - Apples and toffee, a bit of grape juice. Toasted grains, and a touch of herbal hops.

T - The taste is a bit less sweet, with more grassy and herbal character peaking through and providing some bitterness in the finish. Toasted bread, with a touch of fruitiness and toffee present.

M - Zesty carbonation, dry medium body that's a bit grainy mid-palate but finishes a bit juicy and sticky. No alcohol present, but I didn't expect any at 5.5%.

D - A solid Oktoberfest, but nothing to get too excited about. Was plenty easy to drink the 16oz can - I'm sure these are great for camping or summer at the beach.

Serving type: can

11-18-2011 00:58:10 | More by MasterSki

BeefyMee

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Crystal clear burnt orange body. Head is thick and generous.

S: Rich, malty, buttery. Maybe a hint of alcohol.

T: Very buttery, especially as it warms. I know a lot of people don't like this quality in a beer, but it's always agreed with me. Malts are big but not over the top. No hop presence to speak of.

Interesting that they abandoned the "Oktober" and just made it "Fest." Well, it's a good example of a Fest, and you gotta love those tall boy cans.

Serving type: can

11-16-2011 23:54:09 | More by BeefyMee

Tartarus

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A&S: Pours a translucent amber with a nice amount of fluffy white head. Smells like the season, pumpkin spices, but the scent is pretty mild.

T&M: Taste is smooth with some mild pumpkin spices. Not very big in flavor, but that can be a good thing when it comes to pumpkin in my eyes. Taste is really pretty average. Mouthfeel is crisp and pretty light.

O: Not bad, but not great either. I've never been a huge fan of the style but this one is okay. I could maybe see myself getting it again next fall.

Serving type: can

11-12-2011 02:30:14 | More by Tartarus

scootny

New York

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A nice deep, clear orangey amber with a decent white head that leaves some streaks of lace here and there. Aromas of light orange fruitiness and cinnamon laced pepper. Nice bread and toasted grains. A touch of Sazz hops spiciness. Taste is malty and smooth like a good fest brew with caramel and toasted grains in large supply. A touch of butterscotch in the back with a clean dry finish. Light bread flavors lingering. Feel is gently carbonated with a medium weight that gives an easy drinkability. A nice version that is quite satisfying.

Serving type: growler

11-02-2011 01:20:05 | More by scootny

Billolick

New York

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Gotta love respectable beer in a 16 ounce can.

Purchased at Green Growler Grocery in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

Pours clear, dull brownish amber, the off white head is minor in size, goes to a fine bubble film and leaves respectable high bits of lacing.

Bready malt nose, sweet and inviting.

Tasty and malty. Smooth and easy drinking. Bread notes, nutty notes. Some hop dryness late and in the finish...Not bad, pretty good for beer in a can. But basically a middle of the road Octoberfest.

Serving type: can

11-01-2011 22:13:01 | More by Billolick

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can into a Duvel tulip.

A: Brilliant, crystal-clear copper-red body under a gorgeous, towering, creamy off-white head that mushrooms solidly over the brim of the glass. Terrific retention, too, but disappointing lace keeps it from earning full marks.

S: Crisp, clean, biscuity malt balanced with fresh herbal hops. Lightly nutty, lightly fruity, very pleasant.

T: Malts dominate, with some heavier caramel sweetness joining the breadiness promised by the aroma. Hops are relegated to the aftertaste, and even there don't do much. A little disappointing, but still no worse than average.

M: Medium body, soft frothiness. A little sticky, but good.

O: This is a decent, drinkable, affordable seasonal, but I don't think I'll be buying any more. Especially as it warms the sweetness just gets too prominent for my tastes.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

10-30-2011 18:09:19 | More by woosterbill

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 10/25
Poured in to a pint glass

A: This beer pours a hazy, copper color with a two finger of creamy, foamy light khaki colored head. Head recedes at a slower pace leaving big sticky lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is very bready, some sweet caramel notes, and a bit of earthy notes.

T: Taste starts with a very buttered, toasted breadiness mingled with a good deal of caramel malts. Leafy hop notes to come through, a bit of citrus hops. Sweetness comes back in during the finish that sticks with you a bit.

M: Lighter side of medium body, medium carbonation, slightly oily at first with a dry finish.

O: Goes down easy, tasty, not too filling, mild kick, ok representation of style. This is a decent beer that is very affordable.

Serving type: can

10-28-2011 17:01:39 | More by Jayli

mnrider

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

16 oz. Orange can. No freshness date found.

A: Large head above a nice Autumn color beer. Carbonation is good. A few streaks of lacing are visible down the glass.

S: Spices and creamy bread like malts.

T/M: Smooth and a little watery. Hints of toasted malts and some caramel. Spicy hops give this brew a nice bitter balance. A finish which is on the dry side.

O: A really decent Oktoberfest. Smooth with a nice spicy toasted crisp taste. Even better its in a can.

Cheers!!!

Serving type: can

10-28-2011 00:54:31 | More by mnrider

thespaceman

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16oz can into a pint glass:

Appearance: Holy shit the beer is beautiful! Deep copper orange in color - excellent clarity! Bubbles streaming up the glass left and right! Nice frothy head builds, slowly disspates leaving behind excellent amounts of lacing!

Smell: I get alot of pleasant aromas here, some hop florals kick in off the bat giving off a nice citrus aroma followed by a deep malt backbone with some toasted bread aromas. Nice balance between the both in the nose, very subtly yet each aroma can be picked out.

Taste: Up front you get that kick from the hops, it's a bit of citrus/orange that follows nicely into a toasted backdrop. A hint of malt sweetness follows through here. Finish consists of a blast of bread like malt flavors and a spicy overture from the hops.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and clean on the tongue, great balance here as you can tell this beer is not too light and not too heavy on the tongue. Slight bitterness here from the hops.

Overall: I really liked this beer, what impressed me more is that a marzen in a can is hard to come by, yet Narragansett nailed this one on the nose. A very nice balance overall between the hops and those crisp, autumnal malt notes that make this beer perfect for a cold autumn night in New England. At 5.5% it's very sessionabble & I only paid $7.99 for 6 16oz cans - how can you beat that?

Serving type: nitro-can

10-28-2011 00:18:59 | More by thespaceman

steveh

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received in trade from the eastern time zone.

A -- Hazy orange color with a very dense, creamy, long-lasting head.

S -- Light yeasty, bready malts with mild spicy hops in balance. Some vague fusel alcohol back with warming.

T -- Light, sweet bready, toasty malts with some mild nuttiness and light spicy hops in balance.

M -- Mouthfeel is soft, almost syrupy with a light-medium body and mildly dry finish.

O -- A pretty good stab at the style from this resurrected brewery.

Serving type: can

10-25-2011 21:13:06 | More by steveh

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Drazzamatazz for this 16oz can in the Nice Cans III BIF. Into a SA Perfect pint.

A: Pours a pale copper color with an enormous off white head. Head billows up to approximately an inch or so and slowly recedes to about a 1/4 of an inch that refuses to disappear. Excellent lacing. Perfect clarity. A fair amount of bubbles move lazily to the top of the glass.

S: Smells about right, some caramel malts a bit of grain, a touch of sulfur, and a pretty neutral lager yeast strain, definitely a lager though. Not overly aromatic, but smells alright.

T: Caramel malts, nice amount of grain in here as well slight bit of bitterness on the finish. Floral hops. Fairly sweet, but not overly so. Pretty nice hop flavor that I didn't expect at all. Pretty tasty stuff.

M: Light body, prickly carbonation, dry finish. Just right.

O: Not a bad beer at all. Very enjoyable on this fall evening while watching some baseball. If I could get it regularly in the fall I definitely would.

Serving type: can

10-21-2011 01:08:21 | More by pokesbeerdude

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16 oz can into an oversized mug.

This is a fairly foamy pour at first but does eventually settle down into a clear copper, with a frothy ½ finger covering of bright-white head. This leaves back a big sudsy cascade of lace that sticks to the sides of the mug in thick swathes. The aroma is pretty light feeling in the nose, with notes of grass, spice, earthy citric fruit, and the some sweet toasty malt across the back. The flavors that are present seem right-one but this is lacking some power.

The taste has a flavorful malt base to it of sweet caramel and buttered toast. This melds nicely with that soft fruitiness of those citric hops, while a leafy bitterness trails a touch of spice into the finish, which dryly lingers with some leftover bitter fruit. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, maybe a little lighter, with a soft and creamy feeling carbonation that keeps this easy moving despite the fact that this overall could use some more crispness to it.

While this certainly wasn’t the most memorable O-Fest that I’ve ever had, it was a pretty good bang-for-the-buck, as I think that I paid like $8 for this six-pack of 16 oz cans. This is pretty good for what it is.

Serving type: can

10-20-2011 18:37:43 | More by Kegatron

bornridiculous

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Color is a nice copper orange. Poured with a nice head that has stuck around for the last 5 minutes that leaves solid lacing on the side of the glass. Good Clarity.

Smell: Smells more malty than hoppy with notes of caramel. Not much hop aroma, but its there. Definitely playing second fiddle to the malt.

Taste: Big malt flavors up front, the way toffee apples smell, but as a taste. Hops up front, a little bit on the back end, indicative of the style with an overall malty finish that sticks with you.

Mouthfeel: A little light in body, which seems to contradict the malty flavor. Seems a little bit under-carbonated.

Final impression: A solid example of the style. A four pack would make a good session brew before a football game. I would pick this over most other Oktos.

Serving type: can

10-18-2011 23:44:04 | More by bornridiculous

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Narragansett Fest pours a clear copper color with a big, thick frothy white head on top. The foam dissolves slowly down to sheet on the surface leaving behind clumps of lace on the glass.

The aroma isn't very strong, but is mainly malty notes of caramel and toasted malt. Bread, light fruit (apple?) and floral hops are also detected.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is slick, slightly syrupy with a firm carbonated fizz on the palate. The flavor is malty with light spice and light fruit notes. It begins with a taste of caramel and bread. In the middle some hints of spice (perhaps rye or cinnamon?) appear. It finishes with floral hops and a hint of fruit (apple or peach?). Once gone the caramel and spice notes linger on the palate.

This is a tasty, easy drinking beer. A great example of what an autumn beer should taste like.

Serving type: can

10-16-2011 18:07:50 | More by WanderingFool

nniicckkww

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a pint can into my Sam Adams glass. Big off-white head. Amber color. Nearly crystal clear with some slight haze. Faint malt, toffee and miscellaneous hop aroma. Excellent head retention and a nice lacing on the glass.

Malty with a hint of sweetness. Carmel. The beer is very well balanced in terms of malt and bitterness. The hops and malt work together to leave my tongue simultaneously. My perfect Octoberfest lager as it's not cloyingly sweet or a malt bomb. Grab a Gansett!

Serving type: can

10-15-2011 22:10:02 | More by nniicckkww

Bendurgin

Maine

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

So far I've pretty well enjoyed the Narragansett seasonal offerings. So, lets see. Poured into a pint glass. This pours a clear copper color wth three fingers of creamy white head with some soapy lace.

Somewhat nutty on the aroma with a little bit of toast and caramel. Hints of toffee with a grainy aroma with some floral hops in the background. The pallet is toasty with grains and has hints of toffee with a little bit of a hop pressence in the finish.

The body is medium and the carbonation is soft. A somewhat creamy feel. Overall another solid seasonal from these guys.

Serving type: can

09-27-2011 02:48:37 | More by Bendurgin

uustal

Rhode Island

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours an orange-copper with a one-finger thin, tan head. Aroma of sweet caramel, candied sugar, toffee and hints of toasted grain. Flavor beings with a subtle kick of tart fruit (apple, pear) and toasted grains before moving into a silky smooth, sweet, sticky and delicious caramel malt. Other notes of toffee and nuttyness mix well in the malt before some spicy hop notes and more toasted grain to finish. Very sessionable oktoberfest with an awesomely blended flavor and great mouthfeel.

Serving type: can

09-27-2011 01:46:04 | More by uustal

WeezyBoPeep

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well this one was certainly a surprise. Poured from a tall can into a Samuel Smith perfect pint glass.

A: Dark orange with browns in there, nice foamy, thick beige head. Clear and gorgeous. Looks like a fall day.

S: Big hit of caramel malt and biscuit dough up front, lots of floral hops in the distance.

T: Perfectly refreshing autumn beer. This is what I've been searching for! I nice combo of various malts with a decent hop profile backing it up. Slightly sweet, slightly sour, slightly bitter on the finish but fades fast.

M: Fits the style almost to a T. Semi-carbonated and "cool" on the tongue.

Value: You can't beat this, I found a sixer of tall boys for like 8 bucks.

Serving type: can

09-27-2011 01:14:32 | More by WeezyBoPeep

Bung

North Carolina

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

Poured a nice golden amber. 2 fingers of nice fluffy off white head. Retains a thin layer.

A pretty good bready aroma. Some yeast and a herbal hop tone.

Taste, A fair mix of caramel, malt and some light fruitiness, apple, grape. Some citrus and pine in there as well. Finishes more bread, almost pumpernickel, fairly dry. Maybe a tad sweet overall.

Light bodied, no abv, a "drinker" octoberfest. A nice carbonation sends it through very well.
Nothing to complain about with this one.

Serving type: can

09-26-2011 01:37:24 | More by Bung

Durge

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A clear copper color with a decent white cover and lots of lacing. The aroma offers a crisp, light fruity wheat. The flavor delivers a fruit nougat malt with some flowery hops notable but mostly it’s a bright malt theme that refreshes with peppery carbonation. It’s closer to light bodied than medium, very drinkable yet packing a good deal of flavor with a dry, hop grain finish. A pleasant surprise from a 16 ounce can!

Serving type: can

09-25-2011 04:42:03 | More by Durge