Dundee Oktoberfest - Genesee Brewing Co. / Dundee Brewing Co.

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.95/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an irish pint glass.

The beer is a deep rich mahogany, dark copper color. A thick foamy cream colored head recedes to a thin film and light lacing clings to the glass.

The aroma is of faint malts, and a slight carmel sweetness with bread and toffee notes.

The taste is sweet up front. Caramel is there, but as is toffee and yeasty bread notes. Quite buttery too.

The mouthfeel is slippery and sweet.

Overall, not bad at all. Great session brew. I thought it was phenomenal a few years ago, but it seems like a lot of good Oktoberfests are getting mundane (I'm looking at you Sam Adams and Leinenkugel!). Oh well. Worth a sixer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 18:54:53 | More by JuicesFlowing

JRed

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours dark reddish amber with large white head. Aroma of cinnamon, bread crust, slight medicinal notes and hazelnut. Tastes of hazelnut, bread, some spice, malty sweetness, and clean hop presence. Light bodied with light carbonation. A beer worth skipping over.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 05:06:57 | More by JRed

fx20736

New York

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a mug

A Sienna brown that reminds me of root beer barrel candies. A 1 finger khaki head that dissipates rather soon and leaves no lacing to speak of.

Light on the mouthfeel.

Aroma is faint and a little hard to detect but what there is, is baked bread.

Taste: simple, not impressive Marzen. Taste isn't bad, it just tastes thin.

Notes: Thin on aroma, mouthfeel and taste. It isn't bad but just weak. Not a keeper.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 23:22:17 | More by fx20736

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +34%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Tapped into my personal Trois Pistoles snifter at The Lemon Grove in Youngstown, OH.

Appearance - Dark brown body. Small white lace with great stick.

Smell - Coffee. Light matls.

Taste - Clean body with astringent finish. Honey in the finish masks and compliments the astringency well. slightly metallic but not an off flavor for some reason. Well balanced.

Mouthfeel - Medium to full bodied. Lots of effervescence.

Overall Drinkability - Best I've had in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 17:28:11 | More by ZenAgnostic

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12oz brown screw-top bottle, nice label, no date that I can see

Appearance: Bright rich copper brew with lively carbonation and a big light tan/beige cap with good retention.

Smell: Thankfully no adjunct-y sweetness here, as there are in some 'pseudo-craft' beers. Lightly toasty, bready aromas, with hints of sweet caramel as well. Not real deep or intense, but stylistically correct and fairly appealing.

Taste: The flavors mirror the aromas, with a bit of mostly clean, lightly fruity balancing hop bitterness as well. The flavors aren't bad, but they're somewhat less intense than the aromas, which mean that there's not quite enough here. Flavors include lightly toasted bread with jam and steely caramel.

Mouthfeel: On the light side of medium, but a bit overcarbonated

Overall: To be honest, the only reason I picked this up was because I was craving an Oktoberfest and it was $5.99 a six-pack. I was expecting mediocrity at best. I was actually a bit surprised; this is light on intensity, both in terms of aroma and flavor, but the flavors/aromas that are there are enjoyable and style-appropriate. I would not buy this regularly, but at 6 or 7 bucks, I'd pick this up from time to time for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 00:28:45 | More by BedetheVenerable

PrivateEquity

Kansas

3.03/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a clear amber body.

S - Nose is the best part, but just about average. Not much to it.

T - Pretty boring taste, just not much there. Tastes a little unnatural.

M - Lack of malt. Pretty light for an Oktoberfest.

O - Not worth the purchase. If it wasn't for the lightness, probably wouldn't have finished.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 03:34:14 | More by PrivateEquity

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

1.83/5  rDev -45.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This is probably the worst Oktoberfest I've ever had. It's a damn shame too. I look very forward to the fall season because I find the beers to be among some of the best at that time of the year. This was just a major upset here. There was an ok looking color to it but very thin on taste and mouthfeel. Where did all the seasonings go?

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 23:33:10 | More by Knapp85

Jesse13713

Ohio

1.35/5  rDev -60.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Still have a few of these left over from fall. Decided to pull one out tonight and review it. This will be my fifth time drinking this beer.

Appearance - A surpisingly vibrant and frothy head presents itself. A vaguely transparent orange and amber color. No lacing capabilities whatsoever. A very 'Oktoberfest' looking beer.

Smell - Slight pumpkin and bitters. They are watered down and vague, however. No real signs of spices or "full-bodied" taste in the nose, as the bottle suggests. Actually quite a pleasant fall leaves smell to it.

Taste - I really tried to like this; after I remembered absolutely hating the first 4 I drank in the fall. I thought maybe my tastes had changed and I would enjoy this more. I was wrong. This tastes like I ate some leaves and then threw up. The taste and mouthfeel are just absolutely terrible. It's about as bad as I remember it from a few months ago. It isn't skunked or soured from age. A slight hint of deep malts that then turns into a leafy pumpkin pulp taste.

Mouthfeel / Drinkability - I can barely get this down without gagging. The mouthfeel is just unbearably unpleasant. I think that after drinking five of these, I'm finally going to give up on this brew and chuck the last one into the trashcan. Perhaps I will try a different Dundee brew in the future. But this is just ridiculously gross.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 01:33:51 | More by Jesse13713

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Red-copper in color with a medium off-white head that is partially diminishing. Aroma is primarily toffee with some raw wood sawdust and something I can only liken to American cheese singles. Lightly sour, moderately sweet flavor - rather high in hay/straw graininess. Sour grain and sourdough bread finish that is quite long lasting. I've had better Oktoberfests.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 18:20:27 | More by CuriousMonk

secondtooth

Indiana

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Was always a fan of Dundee's Honey Brown beer, and this is from their inexpensive "craft" line.

Attractive and clean pumpkin-amber in color, with solid lacing.

Sweet scent.

Tastes caramel-biscuity, with an undercurrent of spice.

Very well-done and enjoyable, and definitely a good bargain for a craft-style beer!

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 20:55:47 | More by secondtooth

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

#44. Another bizarre find in January, felt that it would be one of the last available Oktoberfest beers and picked up on a whim and a pretty decent sale price for a sixer.

Poured from a 12oz. bottle to a pint glass at room temp.

(Appearance) Pours a highly carbonated one and a half finger depth head. Retention is quite poor, and this fizzles down pretty quickly to a thin covering. Some very light lacing, nothing mind blowing. Color is a nice clear deep amber/orange shade. Carbonation is faint but lively with very petite bubbles. Beer looks good, but the presentation isn't all eye-opening. 2.5

(Smell) Some very faint malty base without much else defining here. Perhaps some very thin hops deep down but not enough to crawl out of the malty dominance. More robust and defined than a macro smell but not pungent. Pretty weak aroma in both strength and variety. 2.5

(Taste) Whew. Better taste! Malts are nicely calm but still take the center stage. A medium grainy taste followed by some faint hints of other flavors. Caramel, possibly. Complementary spice is also possible. Finish is very peppery spicy coupled with a subtle hoppy bitterness adding a tiny bit of a fruity floral bite to the beer. Flavors round out great, and nothing comes out quite so much to the forefront. Malty mostly, enjoyable. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) A tad bit of a bite from the carbonation may be a slight deterrent from the enjoyability of the beer. Crisp edge, medium body, passive and friendly finish with a mild hoppy twang. All space seems to be used well with no thin watery taste and alcohol is hard to pull out, even in big sips. Mouthfeel is pretty good. 3.5

(Drinkability) Quite drinkable. I've got a sixer! I'm going in for another right now. Medium body is good on providing decent amounts of flavor and the drink is largely pleasing to the mouth. I'd be certain to savor these as they're quite out of season and I won't be able to get more for some time. Worth every cent, however! 4

Verdict: A decent choice thus far for Oktoberfests. Flavor is pretty bold and peppery, not bad. It's worth a shot when Fall comes back around, so get it next year! C+ (3.15)

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 05:10:31 | More by Jadjunk

aranheaney

New York

3/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass

A-orange, fair head, little lace

S-pretty decent, this was a little late for an Octoberfest, especially if it was brewed last August, but there weren't many other options at the bowling alley

T-ok, not anything like this year's Sam, nor the Great Lakes I reviewed, but this is serviceable as a marzen

M-ok, it does leave a bit lingering

D-I wouldn't search it out again, but in a pinch, it'll do

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 02:57:55 | More by aranheaney

Spica66

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear, medium amber color with decent head formation and retention. Has some floaties in the bottom- hops maybe?

S: Slightly sour malt and a decent level of hops.

T: Sweet/sour Munich malt with only the slightest hint of bitterness.

M: Medium body and a very crisp finish.

D: A good Marzen.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 01:56:40 | More by Spica66

samie85

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Pours a dark amber color with two fingers of white head.

S-Big munich malt notes upfront with some hop notes.

T-As with the nose, big munich malt is the dominant note here.

M-Moderately chewy with medium carbonation and a crisp finish.

D-Really a pretty easy drinking Oktoberfest, not great, but a solid example.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 05:26:26 | More by samie85

TheDeuce

New York

3.18/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dundee Oktoberfest...in the bottle

Appearance-light one finger head, orange-red color, head stays around for a little while and then disappears.

Smell-caramel roasted malt, light peppery spice, grain and alcohol.

Taste/Mouthfeel-medium bodied, malty and dry, spice is subdued, alcohol is there, notes of caramel on the way down, ok smoothness. Finishes with final notes of caramel.

Drinkability-easy drinking, nice flavors.

Overall-Average Octoberfest, does the job but there are much better ones out there. No major issues though.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2010 03:06:43 | More by TheDeuce

OSUCowboy26

Oklahoma

2.93/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer poured with a thick 2 finger head (good retention). Finish was clean with a copper/amber color. The nose is of malt and caramel. The taste confirmed to be a sweet malt-like flavor, with a slight finish of hop. Carbonation is moderate, but the beer feels a bit heavy. Definitely couldn't drink more than 1 or 2 of these. Not my favorite Oktoberfest. Seems a bit too sweet. There are so many better, Oktoberfest beers out there that it is hard for me to recommend this one. It is cheap though.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 07:19:23 | More by OSUCowboy26

OhYesILoveBeer

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dundee's Oktoberfest 12oz into 0.4l ALSACE Fischers tulip. Pours a clear amber color with copper hues, a nice 1 1/2" bone white head that stays around for a bit then recedes into a thin film which remains throughout the drink. Smells of sweet pale and caramel malts, lightly roasted malts, biscuit, and a touch of grain. Drink is medium carbonated. Tastes of caramel malt, a little biscuit, and a slight hint of red grape. Somewhat sweet aftertaste lingers for a few minutes after, not cloying but pleasant. Overall a good rendition of the Oktoberfest style, but all in all not one to write home about. I picked up a 6pk for $5.99 on sale, so @ that price not a bad buy. I recommend pairing this brew with pan seared pork chops seasoned only with a dash of salt and pepper. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2010 00:34:59 | More by OhYesILoveBeer

mikeg67

New Jersey

2.48/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle. Pours dark amber with practically no head, not much lacing. Aroma is fruit and caramel malt. Flavors are caramel malt and some fruit. Medium, crisp body. So, so Octoberfest, if not for high carbonation it would be cloying.
This brew is not on par with better examples of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 15:33:31 | More by mikeg67

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a pilsner glass. Color is a moderate copper-amber with a light tan head. Not too much retention or lacing on this one. The aroma is a bit faint with a little bit of earthy hops as well as some light caramel and toffee. The taste brings a bit of caramel as well as some slightly-toasted bread. Feel is a bit light but overall pretty good. A nice and easy sipper; middle-of-the-road, but it'll do the job in a pinch.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 18:49:30 | More by Thorpe429

Lemke10

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I bought a single bottle of this from Woodman's in Menomonee Falls, WI for about $1.50 in fall 2010.

This was the first time I ever heard or seen of Dundee's Oktoberfest so I had to give it a try. It pours a dark copper color with a thick head of foam. The scent is not very strong but it has a very full flavor that drinks very smooth. This is perhaps the best Oktoberfest I've had thus far. A must try!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 04:31:20 | More by Lemke10

jt31914

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer has a very nice amber color, and was only docked points because of the near complete lack of head/retention. That being said the beer tasted very malty and wasn't lacking in carbonation; it has an almost sour taste along with the crystal malt flavor. It is very typical for the style, but is well done, and as such for the price is as good of a marzen as you could find. Very drinkable, and nice mouthfeel, certainly is smooth enough. Solid example of the octoberfest style.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 04:55:09 | More by jt31914

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.13/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma is crisp and malty with a subtle tone of spice, not strong but still inviting. It pours a nice clear coppery amber with a decent pale tan head. Flavor is malty with hints of spice and - could that be pumpkin? Texture is smooth, a little tingly, a bit on the thin side but still acceptable.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 01:39:13 | More by Cyberkedi

lespaulrocker

Tennessee

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

A: Poured a golden amber with a tan, two finger head. Little to no lacing.

S: Smell was a little elusive. Maybe a bit of caramel. Not too impressed.

T: Caramel, a bit of toffee. Burnt taste. A lot of malts. Spicy hop finish.

M: Good amount of carbonation. Light bodied and smooth.

D: Very drinkable.

Not the best beer I've had, not the worst. It's average, that's the best description. I'd get it again if there was no other offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 02:36:57 | More by lespaulrocker

GRPunk

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a mug.

A- A moderately aggressive pour left a 2-finger, tan head that slowly dropped to a full film that sustains itself to the end. The body was a clean, copper with moderate carbonation. Good sticky rings were left on a glass that generally isn't too helpful in that respect.

S- A little subtle at first. Caramel and spicy, herbal hops come through in the beginning. It's definitely malt-centric. A little warmth makes for a stronger aroma, though the qualities stay much the same.

T- Caramel that comes off as slightly burnt or toffee-like initially. There's a toasty, bready quality in the background. Spicy hops clean up the finish just a bit.

M- The first sip is through a frothy head. Moderate carbonation and lighter hops make for just a slight tingle. It's a little long and viscus in the end.

D- It's pretty decent. However, in a style know for high drinkability, this one isn't quite there. While I like my Oktoberfests on the bold and malty side, this one's almost too sweet. All said, it's pretty cost friendly. Something I'd probably pick up when I'm a little lighter in the pocketbook.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2010 00:47:05 | More by GRPunk

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle picked up on a whim for a mix-a-six.

Pours a see-through amber/brown with an off-white head. Turns to a thin cap and ring. Slow rising carbonation bubbles.

Malty, bready scents, sweet notes of caramel and toffee. Usual for the style, pretty faint.

Very malt forward, good balance of caramel/buttery/biscuit malts. Nicely even between sweet and toasty. Notes of fruit at the finish.

Mouthfeel is good except for stinging carbonation which goes away after a few seconds of sipping, but it is noticeable with every sip.

Surprisingly solid. No complaints except for the out of whack carbonation. I'd buy a 6-pack of this, especially at the price (about $7 I think.)

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2010 04:09:33 | More by Chico1985