Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

jwc215

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours orangish copper with a thin head that becomes a thin patch. Minimal lacing is left.

Smells of sweet bread. Some subtle floral hop presence is noticeable.

Tastes of malty grains. Bread and some hops are mixed in. It seems, to me, to be a maltier, sweeter version of a Sam Adams lager (not just an amber ale with some caramel maltiness as some craft brews do).


It's fairly smooth, but a bit too sweet for a "session". Although not quite in the same category as a Bavarian O-fest in Germany, it has a freshness to it, and is one of the better of the style that is available in America that hasn't been sitting in who knows what conditions to arrive here.
A bit better on tap, IMO.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2006 01:59:51 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap in suburban Detroit.

This beer appears a clear dark amber hue, with one finger of tight foamy ecru head, which leaves some decent streaky lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of crisp biscuity grain, and mild earthy hops. The taste is bready biscuit malt, a fair bit less crisp that I was initially led to believe, faint lemon, a bit of caramel and vanilla, and earthy hops. The carbonation is average, and a bit zippy, the body medium weight, and mostly smooth. It finishes relatively dry, with some grainy malt and lingering hops.

A decent enough Oktoberfest ale, which well approaches the Munich ideal, with its reserved, drink a shitload of it, um, now, nature.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 07:02:09 | More by biboergosum

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

A 12 oz bottle.

A: The o-fest is a coppery amber color, clear enough that I can see the decorative candle that sits on the other side of the glass. A decent head, nearly two fingers in size, overflowed briefly, requiring a quick clean-up. Light lacing followed.

S: The aroma is very malty, bready with a pleasant sweet streak that lightens things up. Hops add a balancing aspect only, little in the way of strong noble hops.

T: The beer has a light body, grainy but not too full. The standout is a dose of caramel, almost syrupy, that follows the initial malt wave. The sweetness that it brings livens up the taste. The hops are a little stronger here too, adding an earthy bitterness. The finish is fast, offering some graininess before fading away.

M: The lager is malty, no doubt about it. The flavor is solid though and the caramel really helps it work.

D: This is like comfort beer. I just feel good drinking it and it reminds me of a simpler time when I hadn't yet gotten into ales. Sammy A., thank you for a nice pint.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 01:58:37 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

A nice fest-like beer. Looks a nice amber-orange with an aroma of toasted malts. Tastes "malty" the same way other good German lagers do with some caramel and toffee. I don't know how this is the #1 Oktoberfest beer as Sam claims, but its still very smooth and drinkable. Worthy of a litre stein.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2006 06:13:16 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

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

First let me state that this is clearly better than last years attempt at an Octoberfest beer, and this maybe my favorite Sam Adams product I have had (this doesn't say a whole lot not too found of ol' Sammy). Either way this one is worth a try, pours a deep ruby brown with a nice sized creamy tan head leaving full even rings of lacing beautiful appearance. Aroma is also up to par with Vienna toasted nut malt tones in the aroma and residual caramel notes arising one warming treat just a lil early in mid August in this heat, just not fall yet. Flavors blend well with a great toasted nuts flavoring from the specialty malts used and spiced up goodness to go around bringing not only a solid representation but maybe a lil uniqueness from the BBC. Finish contains som mild fruit tones and a bready characteristic that I call the Sam Adams funk, keep in mind not always a bad funk just goes here. Mouhfeel has a nice texture medium bodied rides on the palate oh so nicely very smooth. Drinkability don't knock it till ya try it, b/c I almost passed on it and with all the discussion on the Forum lately you'll be able to sound your opinion.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2003 16:14:53 | More by WVbeergeek

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a deep orange color with a slightly foamy white head and decent carbonation. Nose is pretty flat but I did detect some spice and caramel. Taste is malt, perhaps Munich and caramel, fruit, spice, hops. Pretty balanced but also pretty ordinary on the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 02:55:40 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

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

Orange-amber in color, clear with a pleasant head and tight bubbled sticky lace.

Aroma features a largely caramel smell. The malt is crisp with creamy milk sugars coming forward. Surprisingly, the alcohol warmth comes through, too.

Very round, rich mouthfeel. The flavor comes late, but strongly. Hop is strictly a balancing act to the full crystal malt flavors. The hop is more present after the swallow, but the aftertaste is still more malt; it's also long lasting.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2004 22:39:30 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dated by Feb 06. Also noticed it sez Lager on the bottle. Pours a clear deep golden color with lots of carbonation, small head, but lots of lacing. Scent of sweet malts. Medium body. Very nice taste kinda sweet. Man you could drink this all day long, very nice again by Sam Adams. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2005 00:45:12 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Moderate carbonation and frothy head that doesn't last too long but leaves some lace. Copper/orange color and more malt than hops in fact the hops are barely noticable. Nose has some fruitiness but it is barely noticeable. Finish is smooth with some sweetness but not cloying.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2002 18:10:46 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer pours a light warm brown crystal clear body with a nice gentle carbonation and a thick creamy head of off-white foam.

S- Clean smell with hints of light toasted malt and some hop bitterness.

T- This beer has a smooth soft flavor of slightly toasted malt with a slight tanginess to it. This beer finishes crisp and clean with a German hop bitterness.

M- Medium mouthfeel with a bit of a watery texture. No astringency or fizz from the carbonation

D- This beer has a light smooth maltyness that I wish was stronger. The hops are in balance but to faint because the malt is rather faint.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2005 23:36:47 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle with a freshness date.

A- Tight collar of tan lace stays true, vibrant yet rustic tawny color ... good clarity.

S- Nice malty aroma, toasted bread with light sweetness and faint herbal hop.

T&M- Very malty, not overly sweet. Lots of bready notes, lightly toasted crust comes to mind. Kiss of hops to balance, slight herbal flavor. Finishes semi-sweet with a lingering maltiness.

D- A tasty choice this year, its good to have a fresh O-fest rather than getting burned by a stale imported O-fest that has been sitting around since last year. A great contrast to some crab cakes with some homemade spicy remoulade sauce.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2006 01:18:03 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, with freshness dating. Pours coppery almond, clear with a moderate white head. It also leaves a trace of lacing. Typical octoberfest brw thing going on here. Sweet malt carries the load, minimal hopping. pleasant brew goes well with sausages, onions etc etc.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2004 00:21:47 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Poured into Allagash tulip glass

A: Crystal clear rusty brown with slight orange color good 2 finger head that fades to and holds at 1 finger

N: Toasty malt nose with some nuttiness and sweetness, similar to Marzen

T: Starts with more toasted malts, and some earthy malt flavor, slight nuttiness and biscuit, clear tasting and crisp, very refreshing, but not a whole lot on the flavor profile

M: Pretty light and some carbonation

F: Finishes somewhat sweet and syrupy with more earthy malts typically found in a marzen

Final thoughts: Its a pretty decent American made Marzen, doesn't compare to the Bavarian ones. Very light and refreshing, a well done lager, nice toasted and earthy tones, but a little light on the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 21:50:28 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 09/22/10 notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pours a nice amber color with twi inches of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bready malts, caramel malts, nuts, and some fruity malts.

t - Tastes of caramel and bready malts mostly. A hint of fruit, mainly apple.

m - Light to medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - An average octoberfest/fall beer. Mostly caramel and bready malts in the smell and taste. While that isn't bad, nothing really stood out. Have had several times and I'm sure I'll have it again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2010 22:21:02 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12ozer that I was "forced" to take home after being the last to leave a football get-together. Oh, the horror. :-)

Poured into an imperial pint glass, a copper hued brew, with a beige 3/4" head. Lacing is good, plentiful and lasting. Aroma is slightly fruity, with a toasted biscuit backbone. Taste is caramel malts, with the frruity flavor pervasive, kind of hiding other notes. Mouthfeel takes a bit of getting used to with the fruitiness for me, but once you settle in, this gets pretty drinkable. An acceptable seasonal that makes a good backup at many a bar's micro draft wasteland.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2004 22:13:36 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears a mahogany color with a small tan head. Streaks of lace are left on the glass. Little bits of carbonation slowly rise to the top.
Smell is of sourdough and sweet, fruity malts.
Taste is sweet and sour mix of a malty punch with fruitiness.
Mouthfeel is an okay blend of a sweet & sour mix with a medium bodied feel.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2005 14:46:34 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

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

Pours a clear dark red/orange brew.

Smell is malty and floral with a mild spiciness. Mild banana scent is also present.

Taste is very malty with a touch of browned sugar. There is a bitterness here that counter-balances the sweetness. There are some woody and earthy tastes present also.

Mouthfeel is very good.

Very drinkable brew that I will buy again. A very well executed beer, almost a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2004 03:58:28 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a mug.

Pours a crystal clear copper, with 3-4 fingers of foamy off-white head. This eventually peters down into a thin ½ finger layer of creaminess, leaving back a slowly creeping downward cascade of spotty lacing. The aroma smells sweet and doughy, with a notes of citrus, spice and lightly buttered toast mixed in.

The taste has more of a push to it from that green leafy citrus character but the sweetness finishes this out with a mix of light toffee and toasted bread. Dry and bitter on the backend. The mouthfeel is medium bodied; with a smooth and creamy feel as this spreads out and some light crispness that prickles the tongue a bit. This flows pretty decently across the palate.

This was decent but nothing overly special, with profiles that leaned to the sweeter side but there was just enough crispness to keep this mostly accessible and drinkable feeling. I tend to like this one a bit more on draft, which is how I’ve usually had it over the years.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 19:29:22 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clear red/orange, thick tan head forms, some nice lacing, good retention as well. Smell is sweet and malty, some spice and orange, little cherry, caramel, and some iron. Taste is sweet, toffee and orange, rich malt in the back, some iron again and cherries in the finish. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with low carbonation. I really enjoy this, real smooth and easy to drink, with some nice flavour to it.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2006 16:40:50 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer has a very nice deep clear copper hue. A decent white head that is well retained. Nice toasted malt aroma. Creamy mouthfeel with a body of about medium. Taste is pretty average. Subtle toasted tones. Some maltiness. Minimal bitterness. Nothing really stands out with this one, but by no means will I be dumping this down the drain.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2002 19:45:44 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy dark amber color with bright orange edges and a one finger off white head that quickly settles into a thin ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

The aroma of this beer is really bland with an earthy quality along with some subtle spice but not much sweetness or malt coming through. Hints of floral, grassy pine along with some pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Very faint malt sweetness even as it warms.

Fuller bodied and more complex than I expected. The hop presence from the aroma is present up front providing faint dry bitterness which compliments the spice character. Hints of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove linger over the sweet malt backbone into a slightly dry finish. The malt character is much stronger in the flavor than the aroma suggests with some sweet caramel and rye along with some faint pumpkin, toffee and biscuit. Decently balanced and sessionable but nothing extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 05:53:26 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.55/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Amber pour, average head. Caramel aroma. Taste, was everything you'd expect, smooth, no hops, alcohol hidden.

Mouthfeel, just kept on being smooth and non offensive. No particular complexities for this guy, just a beer that is a notch above fizzy yellow stuff. Lots of caramel, its the beer's #1 property. I guess this is the archtype or something. Nothing wrong with it.

EDIT: Sep 2011, had it again, really a nice octoberfest, I've freed myselm the it must be hoppy confines. Really the five malt varieties make for a very smooth beer for the fall. A good one even if not my favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 04:51:33 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Detroit airport the other day.

The beer pours a mahogany copper color with good head retention and lacing. On the nose I get a hint of sweet malt and not much else. The simple flavors in this beer generally replicate the nose. There is some attractive roasty malt and light honey in this beer, but there really isn't very much flavor otherwise. The beer is somewhat watery, but there are no off flavors.

Pretty boring, but certainly not terrible. However, there are many, many other good marzen options out there these days to ever order this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2008 13:34:16 | More by johnmichaelsen

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 Fl Oz bottle poured into a 'Back Forty Beer Co' badged US pint tumbler @ home on 28 Dec 2012.

Looked happy in an American glass: good deep amber hue to the body with a thin off-white covering on top.

Sweet malty molasses all over the place in the aroma and the first sip confirms what your eyes and nose were telling you: this is malts first and foremost, with the hops just there to calm it all down a little.

I'm sweet toothed so this was fine my me but it is far too sweet for a true Oktoberfest Marzen if you want to talk about styles.

Most enjoyable: the second half of the tasting was helped along by some soft French cheese and the UK's equivalent to saltine crackers. They went well together.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 16:39:53 | More by BlackHaddock

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: ? (have had on tap and in bottles)

A nice crack at a märzen by SA. Pours a golden orange color, very carbonated, with a delicate layer of bubbles for a head that doesn't linger long. Basic grainy, malty aroma, with a touch of sweetness. Mild, toasted bread taste, a bit nutty, caramel sweetness, but not too much, with some floral notes coming through. A bit of apples and oranges, finishing with a crisp hop bite. Light-meduim mouthfeel, pretty dry, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2011 13:55:18 | More by Rifugium