Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355 mL bottle from the LCBO; best before July 2013. This isn't a style I've ever been a real big fan of, but to be fair, I can count the number of different marzens I've tried on one hand. Regardless, all of the Sam Adams brews I've had previously have been fairly solid, so I figured I'd give this one a whirl in the spirit of the season. Poured into a mug.

Pours a deep amber-orange hue, clear and effervescent, topped with one finger of dense, creamy white head. Retention is pretty good; it takes more than a few minutes for the foam to lose cohesion; in fact, a reduced layer of creamy foam remains to the final sip. The aroma is malty and sweet, with hints of caramel/brown sugar, toasted bread and biscuits forming the bulk of the bouquet, accented with just a wisp of lemony citrus and spice.

As with the aroma, roasted malts definitely dominate the flavour profile. Toasted, doughy bread, biscuits and some slight nuttiness are the most prominent facets, with the grassy, herbal hops coming forward nearer to the finish. Not especially dry, but not particularly sweet either; reasonably well-balanced. The aftertaste is a mix of roasted malts, herbal hops and faint citrus. Medium-bodied, with restrained carbonation and an exceptionally smooth, creamy mouthfeel that makes this stuff a real pleasure to drink.

Final Grade: 3.70, a respectable B grade. Of all the marzens I've tried (as limited a pool as that is), Sam Adams' Octoberfest is probably my favourite so far. Not outstanding, complex or especially memorable, but a solid brew in its own right - something that would go nicely with a hearty meal as well as on its own. In a pinch I'd probably just stick with their Boston Lager, but if I were in the mood for a heftier, slightly more warming lager for the fall months, I'd consider picking this one up again next year. Certainly worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 04:10:53 | More by thehyperduck

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