Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Kwak

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A good octoberfest.
I had it on tap the glass was a little soapy so their was almost no head.
Good spice aroma, nice body good red brown color.
Excellent flavor with a hint of nutmeg.

Not a fan of Sam Adams but I recommend this one!

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2002 17:48:59 | More by Kwak

veech

Tennessee

4.53/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I have previously reviewed the bottled version, but just recently tried on draft. I normally don't repeat reviews unless there is a marked difference. I have really enjoyed the bottled over several years, but wow is it superior on tap. The same flavor profile of sweet malted honey is there, just in spades. This stuff honestly rocks. I preferred Paulaner marzen to the bottled Sam Octoberfest, but I just tried them back to back on tap and it's no contest. The SA has better color, aromas, and tons more character and flavor. I'm pretty sure my brother would be open to transfusions of this stuff as he is a full fledged addict. Cheers to Jim Koch for a great batch this Fall.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2006 14:52:13 | More by veech

Samadamsfan2

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the beer that made me love Samuel Adams beer, caramel and toffee malt dominate the body, with a little hop aroma. Dark orange color, and very sweet flavor. Probably not the best Octoberfest, however, generally a very good fall beer, and probably Sam Adams' best seasonal beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 05:01:31 | More by Samadamsfan2

MikieV

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have only sampled 5 ot 6 Octoberfest style beers, but this was my favorite. I wish they brewed this all year. This was my favorite Samuel Adams beer.

It pours an absolutely beautiful red/amber color with a thick cream color head.

Smells sweet of caramel and malts. No pronounced hops or wheat here.

Flavor follows scent. Somewhat sweet, caramels, malts, very mild hops way back in the background. Not thick, but not thin.

Very easy to drink as a starter for the night or in multiples.

I wish they brewed this one year 'round!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 07:00:35 | More by MikieV

Homebrew63

New York

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a deep coppery color

S: Sweet and a hint of spices/pumpkin

T: I liked the taste from the get go. Smooth and flavorful with a hint of carmel and reminds me of thanksgiving.

M: crisp and well balanced for a seasonal brew.

D: Very pleasing and a great seasonal brew! I look forward to this every season and recommend an earlier release than waiting until it is towards it's end of shelf life. But I recommend that on all beers!

I like this better than most seasonal offerings with the exception of Shipyards pumpkin head. enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2007 03:10:45 | More by Homebrew63

Jdecarol

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice dark orange color with a good head that dissapears into a very very ring.

Smells great. Sweet, very small amount of hops and slightly alcoholic. The alcohol smell is very good, almost like a fine liquor as it warms. To tell you the truth this might be the best smelling alcohol esters I have ever smelled.

Taste is phenominal. Sweet, bready, caramel goodness with just a touch of hops. Oh and of course the alcohol from the smell loses none of its deliciousness.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2009 00:08:40 | More by Jdecarol

bolus14

New York

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

This is my first review, and I'm coming from drinking the good 'ol shitty American macro brews!! With that said there is a huge difference in smell, taste, mouth feel, etc.

Smell to me is sweeter (spices) with a hint of bread dough, I assume this is a roasted malt smell.

Taste, well there is a lot more than the macros. Not being able to separate the individual characteristics I would say caramel/tofee malts upfront then a very slight hop bitter.

Mouthfeel is a little "heavier" than the macros but still smooth and easy going down just enough carbonation.

Drinkability, this is the first beer I've had that I can sip, chug, actually enjoy without feeling like I have to force down the last half off the bottle.
Update - After over a year of trying craft and macro micro brews this still remains my favorite. I can drink this after mowing the yard, playing cards, watching football, playing darts, you name it this beer works.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2009 13:55:30 | More by bolus14

cdrogers

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance/color: Very deep orange-amber in color, which definitely reminds me of something to drink in the fall.

Smell: Is sweet smelling but not too overpowering.

Taste: It has a good balance of bittering and aroma hops, so I have to say it has a very balanced taste. The caramel definitely comes through in the malt and the head is held nicely with a good pour. Just like most Samuel Adams brews, when the head is nicely formed the aroma shines. Regardless, it's still an excellent taste.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth and sweet on the tongue. It reminds me of brown sugar.

Drinkability: Definitely a seasonal beer. The sweetness would be too much to drink regularly.

Final thoughts: Definitely recommend this one to everyone. It's something really special and enjoys a good glass.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2009 03:15:32 | More by cdrogers

deebo

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Clear amber color with thick white head. Looks like autumn in a bottle.
S-Tons of malted barley-toasted and caramel. Spicy noble hops in there too. I like.
T-Rich malted barley dominates-sweet toasted toffee/caramel. A kiss of hops to break up the malt. Smooth finish.
M-Good body, moderate carbonation gives a little zing.
D-Really high. Have drank the hell out of this beer.
O-One of my favorite Marzens-great malt flavor, well done brew. Probably my favorite beer from SA.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 02:29:38 | More by deebo

jayrod20

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer is just simply amazing and great after a long day at work. Another great job from the Sam Adams people, this beer certainly lives up to their reputation and can be enjoyed by pretty much anybody. It has a great taste, color & aroma to it and tastes incredible! It's not good after being stored for more than 4 or 5 months. The fresher the better, and always finishes with a refreshing ah!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2008 23:34:48 | More by jayrod20

7beerphil

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Classic Sam Adams bottle design. Beer pours a deep red/amber color with 1 inch, long lived head

S: Toffee and caramel, rather sweet.

T: Toffee and caramel, strong but not over powering.

M: Smooth and light

D: Very drinkable, not too strong, definately not weak, perfectly balanced beer.

Octoberfest is my favorite Marzen style beer, one of the most enjoyable brews from Sam; of their beers it comes in second only when compared to their Irish Red.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2008 21:56:49 | More by 7beerphil

Brunite

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a nice amber/orange, Nice head that disapates to minimal lacing. Looks like Fall in a bottle.

S - Very malty...sweet.,,,some hops noted.

T - Malty. Excellent toffee and caramel notes. Nice balance. Just enough hop bitterness to keep the malts in check. Great solid beer.

M - Slightly creamy...medium body.

O: A nice solid Oktoberfest at a great price. I love this stuff and will miss it when gone.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 02:11:18 | More by Brunite

nickthetick

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a clear copper/amber color into a DFH signature glass with a half a finger of tan head that dissipates slowly and leaves no lacing.

S: sweet, light roasted malt, bread, a bit of spice, nutmeg and some citrus.

T: sweet malt is the biggest flavor with some great yeasty notes. Brown sugar and some nice light spices push there way through the huge amount of malt. Dark fruits like figs, dates and plums shine through. Mellow citrus hangs on the back of the tongue.

MF: medium body, slightly chewy, moderate effervescence.

O: a very good marzen beer, in my top three! Beautiful flavors and aromas have mingled to make a beautifully balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 16:55:20 | More by nickthetick

shbobdb

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

There are better Oktoberfests out there, such as New Glarus Staghorn Oktoberfest. Having said that, this beer is pretty amazing. Mmmm, the taste is truly fantastic, lots of malt with a hint of yeast flavours and a touch of hops. Throw in the price tag, which for a beer of this quality is pratically free, and I'm drinkin' this beer everyday until winter comes.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2005 01:30:43 | More by shbobdb

BigJTrucker

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Picked up this bottle as part of a microbrew sampler pack @ Cost Plus World Market, Eugene, OR. Freshness date is Feb07, so im drinking this about a month past it's best by.

Pours an absolutely beautiful clear ruby/copper color. Slightly off white head. Fairly decent head retention. Very heavily carbonated. Has a very malty smell with a bit of yeast, Smooth, slightly thick mouthfeel. It's awfully hard to pick out specific tastes, it's a very well balanced beer. Very easy to drink, but it would probably be alot better if it was fresher.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 06:30:06 | More by BigJTrucker

DaeHanL

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Served on Tap at most establishments in town this time of year.

Appearance: Pours a coppery-orange with little head. Head dissipates quickly into a very thin lacing.

Smell: A slight hint of caramel and a tiny bit of spice. Not a very fragrant brew.

Taste: very malty and a tad sweet. Sometimes i swear i can taste pumpkin spice.

Mouthfeel: very smooth with a medium-body. Doesn't leave a residue in your mouth once consumed.

Drinkability: Most of Sam Adams is over-rated in my opinion. In a city of excellent German-style Märzen, SA Octoberfest is still possibly my favorite. Great if you're in the mood to taste 1 beer, and also excellent if you're looking to toss several back.

Serving type: Pint Glass

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2010 14:09:49 | More by DaeHanL

JohnnyP3

Alaska

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Best before Jan 2011. Pours a copper orange with one finger of white head. Clear with what looks like ample carbonation.

Smells include malts, biscuits, sweetness, some grassy hops, caramel, and toasted grains. Nice boutique of aromas.

Tastes like a quality Marzen/Oktoberfest--true to the style with a nice backbone of malts with some caramel/toffy sweetness and a nice shot of bitterness to balance things out some. Finishes with a nice biscuit-like dryness. Toasty and malty, this is cool-fall weather reliable standby.

Mouthfeel has a nice crispness to complement the snap of cool air outside. Perfect amount of carbonation.

Drinkability--one of the most drinkable in this style category that I have had. Goes down very easily. There is just something quintessential about the fall time and this beer. Call it nostalgia or just a quality brew--either way, this one scores repeatedly.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 16:04:43 | More by JohnnyP3

KJay1408

Nebraska

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from bottle to glass, a beautiful dark reddish brown, with two fingers of beautiful cream/off white head.

S: Malt, and lots of it, there are some subtle herb, or hop aromas in the background

T: Sweet upfront, then a bit toffee and biscuit flavor, and finally a bit of hop bitterness to close it out nicely.

M: A nice medium body, not over the top and too heavy, but far from light, so yeah I'll say medium body.

O: I love this beer, it's big a malty brew, with just enough hops to balance it all out. It's no wonder Sam Adams has been producing this every year since 1989.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 23:17:22 | More by KJay1408

Guardian

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer has only 1 downfall. It's only available a few months out of the year. I found the flavor to be similar to their Winter Lager, but less bitter. This beer is very smooth and one could easily down a 6'er if they so choose.

I drink a lot of Sam Adams, and given a choice, I would drink this one year round.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2003 10:15:01 | More by Guardian

surfmeister

California

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Underrated, as all Sam Adams beers are on BA, success breeds contempt. Deep, copper/orange, thick head which dissipated too quickly, had to ding it for that, malty, malty, malty, light on the hops, but just enough to keep the sweetness at bay,once again SA succeeds in creating great beer when a taste that is accessible to many, not by compromising, but with SUBTLETY, remember that word? smooth, full mouthfeel, beautiful lacing as I finished. A sweeter, less hopped Boston lager if I may simplify. A winner.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2004 04:29:21 | More by surfmeister

SteveO1231

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12 oz. brown bottle, Pours a clear orange/copper color, lots of tiny bubbles spiral upwards to form a thick, tan foamy head that settles pretty fast. Not lacking any malt aromas, sweet caramel, toffee, and German malts. Medium bodied. A taste of caramel and German malts dominates this beer. Just a touch of herbal hops in the finish. Leaves a ligth nutty aftertaste. Balanced perfectly. Smooth and easy drinking. One of my favorite beers, I love this time of year.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2005 22:01:52 | More by SteveO1231

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Rich amber color one finger plus head had pretty good staying power.

S- Complex smooth and mellow malt aroma.

T- Great caramel malty sweetness balanced quite well by a good mellow noble hop pressence.

M- Smooth, nuff said!

D- KInda pissed I only bought a single.

Easily the best american Oktoberfest out there.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2007 19:29:14 | More by Pauly2X

klaybie

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Wow! I am surprised I like this beer now. I first tried it a year ago and was unimpressed. However, I have tried many beers in that year and can now say SA Octoberfest will be in my fridge all season. I've had this beer many times this year so I think this is accurate for me:

Poured into my Friar Tuck pint glass

A.Pours a copper-red color with a 1/2" off-white head. Very fine lacing. Head retention is about 30 seconds.

N. Smells malty with some hop aroma although I can't place the hops (my nose is not that talented yet). Smells like other Oktoberfest beers.

T. Initial taste is malty and bready and some hop bitterness is present at the finish which refreshes the palate for the next drink.

M. Moderate carbonation and medium body make this beer enoyable.

D. Overall a solid beer in my opinion. Certainly an Oktoberfest that has earned a place in my fridge. The SA website lists the ABV at 5.3% which helps make the beer very drinkable and sessionable. That being said I'm off for another!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 01:45:57 | More by klaybie

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A-Poured into my official Samuel Adams Octoberfest mug. It pours an amber/copper color with a thick off white head that slowly dissipates leaving a thin layer of foam.

S-Extremely malty and sweet, with some caramel.

T-This is all about the malts. Its slightly sweet and grainy at first, but as it warms the caramel notes emerge. Its very crisp, clean, and refreshing.

M-Just slightly thin but they have a nice amount of carbonation.

D-I could drink this all day, it makes a great session beer.

Overall, this beer is awesome. It has a great flavor, its not too thick, and has a relatively low abv. so it makes a great session beer. I can't wait to grill some smoked sausage or brats and drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 22:09:03 | More by thegodfather2701

Coji

California

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer should be sold year round, but I do enjoy the treat during the autumn. Its limited availability is part of why this beer remains a hot commodity. My initial pour developed a medium-sized head. It was a light tan, but it dissipated quickly and did not leave any lacing on the glass. I was disappointed with that aspect of the beverage. The color however, was awesome. A slightly burnt amber represents the season very well and it was a beautiful welcome to the beverage.

The aroma was good, possibly because I knew what to expect. If I tried to be objective, the smell is not great, but still good. Octoberfest is lightly carbonated, producing a good mouthfeel, but it was not as smooth as it could have been. While drinking the beer, it is difficult to tell the alcohol content, but after a couple of glasses, it become prevalent. This is one of my favorite beers and I am sad to see its season come to an end.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 23:54:11 | More by Coji