Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Phelps

Arizona

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

Poured from the tap and into a standard pint glass. Happy hours are fun!

Looks: perfectly clear deep almond-ornage in color, with a khaki head that looks stickier than it is, since it dissipates to a heavy layer of foam within a minute, leaving minimal spots of lace.

Smells: like an apple tree, tinged with the colors of autumn. Lots of lager yeast and sourdough bread, with the light nuttiness of almonds and walnuts along with a hint of sweet red apple cider.

Tastes: far nuttier, with some peanuts added in with those almonds and walnut. Also get some lightly toasted wheat bread and dried apples before a snappy finish. All these flavors, however, are just a little light.

Feels: watery. A medium carbonation fizzes up the beer as it moves about the mouth. Light-bodied.

Drinks: easily and quickly. A little light on flavor, but a crisp finish keeps you going back for more.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2010 23:12:29 | More by Phelps

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

jsanford

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass

A - Crystal-clear orange/amber with 2 fingers of pillowy white head.

S - Subdued nose of sweet malts and earthy hops with a tiny bit of spice.

T - Spot on with the nose ; sweet caramel malt, earthy hops and more spice. Pleasant, but not too complex.

M - Smooth and creamy with medium carbonation.

D - Nice and drinkable, like most SA beers.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2010 23:27:44 | More by jsanford

bronco94

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap into a pint glass

A - bright clear copper color with a thin light tan-ish white head that faded quickly and left no lacing

S - bready and malty, slight yeasty sweetness

T - malty and slightly sweet, faint hops linger in the taste, nothing too dramatic or spectacular

M - light, smooth, medium to high carbonation. Crisp feeling in the mouth

D - very drinkable due to the moderate alcohol content, balanced flavor and lack of any overpowering tastes. You could probably drink these all night, but I wouldn't want to. A couple in an evening is enough.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2010 20:12:07 | More by bronco94

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a shaker pint glass at Finn McCool's.

I do so enjoy Quizzo beer. This one pours a clear orange amber topped by a half-finger of off-white micro-foam. The nose comprises caramel, citrus peel, red apple skin, and some light toffee. The taste holds notes of light caramel apple (holy hell, it merged!), walnuts, orange rind, and some miscellaneous florals. The body is light, with a light moderate carbonation and a smooth, semi-crisp feel. Overall, a nice O-Fest, not among the tops, but good enough for a Fall afternoon o' lazin' 'n' whatnot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2010 18:28:14 | More by TMoney2591

nickadams2

New York

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A_Amber/burnt orange witha thick white head. Decent lacing,C02 bubbles evident.

S_Bready malt, spice, floral hops.

T_Bready/biscuit malt, caramel, spicy malt, floral hops. Slight roasted flavor.

M_Medium bodied with lots of carbonation.

D_Good okto to pick up if you are going to be drink in excess or have a low budget. Definitely not the best okto but works.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2010 01:17:46 | More by nickadams2

vickersspitfire

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one was poured into a pint glass, it was a dark reddish/brownish-copper color with little carbonation and a thick smooth tan head that slowly dissipated into an even layer of small bubbles; this one has some very good lacing! The aroma was a bit mild; I only picked up some small hop smells mixed in with some alcohol. It did have a distinct (not strong) roasted hop flavor and some herbal flavors along with some mild sweet fruit flavors. It has a medium body and you can barely taste/feel the alcohol in it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2010 20:14:35 | More by vickersspitfire

soju6

Missouri

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

A: Served an inviting Deep Copper color with a small off-white head that fades slowly to nice lacing.

S: Mild malt aroma with a hint of sweetness grain.

T: Mild malt and caramel with light grain and a nice bitter end.

F: Medium body, smooth & silky. Nice carbonation. well balanced.

D: Easy drinker. Another good beer from Sam Adams.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2010 18:41:47 | More by soju6

TheHoppiest

Ohio

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

Had on tap at Mavis Winkles in Independence. Served in a pint glass, and was a bit too cold. Thankfully, the glass was room temp, so I did not need to wait too long for it to warm.

The beer is an auburn-orange color, very fall-like. Mimimal creamy head.

Has a mild malty smell. Some sweet malt comes through.

Taste is surprising decent for a mass-market beer such as this. Mild barley malt taste up front, which sweetens as you drink, ending with a slight hop bite at the end.

Mouthfeel is medium to thin, but certainly refreshing.

I found this one tasty through the pint, ordering a second. A drinkable session beer I'd order again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2010 15:01:37 | More by TheHoppiest

bagpiper2005

Idaho

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

Pour: Clear medium copper color. One finger of ivory colored head that sticks around for a short while and leaves traces of lacing on the glass.

Smell: Caramel, brown sugar bready, a little bit spicy. A light floral hop scent.

Taste: Caramel front end with a hint of pumpkin and brown sugar. Yeasty middle with a light-to-moderate hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium and low carbonation.

Drinkability: This beer is alright, and I can drink it. Nothing special though.

Final Notes: It seems like it's been a bit stronger in years past. It's lost some of its magic for me, that said, it was one of my first beers so for me it's a beer that's close to my heart. I'd drink it if offered.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2010 00:46:39 | More by bagpiper2005

rmolledo

Florida

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

at home with a picnic tap.

A: a nice pumpkin orange with a frothy white head.

S: Malty, Bready, Yeasty and a bit hoppy.

T: Caramel sweet malt with toffee flavors, Great malt/hop balance. a tad more hoppy than traditional oktoberfests. bready and toasty.

MF: nice and creamy. medium body.

D: I could drink this all night. And I will.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2010 22:40:49 | More by rmolledo

kingcrowing

Vermont

2.9/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap poured into a plastic pint glass.

Pours a deep orangey color with a small white head that fades quickly. Nose is quite fruity and sweet.

This is way too fruity for an Oktoberfest for me, I like when they've got more of a biscuit flavor to them but this one is all sweet fruit. It's got a decent mouthfeel and it's easy drinking but I think it's too sweet to drink a lot of.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 13:23:21 | More by kingcrowing

Landfill21

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This was the second octoberfest beer I have had the pleasure of tasting this season.

Pours into a dark amber color and has a nice head that leaves no lace down the sides of the glass. Has a malty, toffee smell. Goes down very smooth and you can taste the malt and toffee tones. Is a excellent beer to drink on a hot day. Drinkability is awesome and it is easy to drink 4-5 of these at a sitting.

Would highly recommend this beer to anyone. Is not available for very long and is often hard to find. Stock up when you can.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2010 20:53:09 | More by Landfill21

Spider889

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Probably my least favorite SA seasonal. And while Oktoberfest has never been a particular favorite style of mine, there are certainly much better options out there.

The color is probably the best part of the beer. A nice caramelized toffee color promises a nice malt presence.

The beer smells of some sweet malts but not much else. It's a pretty weak-smelling brew and left me wanting more. It tasted about the same, some mild malt and a little undefined spicing. Basically it felt like they used a lager base beer and just amped up the malt and removed some of the hops. I am beginning to recall why I never buy this beer. (Luckily this one was free at a charity event).

It drinks easily enough but the carbonation left me feeling more full than a beer with such little body warranted. Plus because the flavor profile is so poor, even though I could drink a bunch more, I really don't want to.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2010 08:52:16 | More by Spider889

revdrkevind

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

s- I've had this both on tap and from the bottle, and this beer doesn't much care how it's served.

a- Fairly remarkable. Great coppery orange-brown suits the occasion, and a rather soapy head dissipates quickly to leave no lacing. The weak head suits the style, to my eyes.

s- Unremarkable. Mostly caramel, but nothing to write home about.

t- Very bitter and caramel and spicy-earthy, with tons of roasted malt. It's an okay flavor on its own, but it really pairs quite extraordinarily well with bratwurst and burgers and other festival treats. By itself, I'd say the beer is unbalanced and leans hard on the spice and roasted malt. With food though, it's like having a light beer and your food and a great seasonal sauce slathered on all at once. You can drink Octoberfest by itself, and it's a good beer considering it's usually on special when it's in, but do try it with some nicely grilled treats if you can.

Warming the beer actually gives it some surprising depth as the flavors mellow and mix a bit, and having this beer warm will probably give you instant ideas for the next time you grill brats. Personally, I enjoy this beer so much when it's in that warming isn't usually an issue, but I always kick myself for not remembering it's good at any temperature.

m- The actual feel is a bit watery in my opinion, but you'll likely miss that from the lingering burnt malt and spice flavors. This beer has a high character without affecting drinkability.

d- I've had a few rip-roaring nights on this stuff at festivals (and even served it as well as consumed it), so I can attest that it's a great companion beer to last through the night. However, it's really only good seasonally, as it's just not balanced enough to stand on its own without the novelty factor. Love it when it's in, and look forward to next season. And hey, it's great even as it goes warm, so feel free to enjoy the festival as this beer will stay there for you.

verdict- Food pairings turn this mostly average beer into a great seasonal treat.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2010 13:45:24 | More by revdrkevind

garbercury

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite selections by Sam Adams. To me, this is their best seasonal by far. Lots of bready flavor highlighted by the caramel notes in the taste. To me, this is a great version of an Octoberfest, worthy of a try, particularly with a hearty meal on a fall night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2010 02:00:42 | More by garbercury

Cubsfan1087

Iowa

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

Sam Adams Octoberfest really got me into Octoberfest style beers. This beer has a great color, almost like a burnt orange. The flavor is great as well. If you love Octoberfest beer, Sam Adams is a must. I would also recommend this brew to someone who hasn't tried any seasonal Octoberfest beers. It might open you up to a new style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 17:51:31 | More by Cubsfan1087

ccrida

Oregon

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

Appearance is caramel orange with a wispy white collar.

Smell is sweet and malty.

Taste is pretty clean, but with a bit of a metallic bite, with a bready finish.

Mouthfeel is slick, medium bodied.

Drinkability is pretty good, nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 00:33:50 | More by ccrida

infi

New York

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Asian Pub in St. Marks, NYC.

Appearance is a translucent caramel brown color with some bubbling action throughout. Very thin white cap sits atop with no lacing throughout its duration. Smell is full of toasted malt and spice with just a hint of hop aroma towards end.

Taste reflects exactly what the nose detects - huge and sweet malt backbone with a dash of spiciness like cinnamon. Some hop bitterness in the back end. There was too much of a diacetyl character in this serving; something I've never encountered whenever I bought this SA seasonal in packs. A real palpable buttery taste, which was a little unappetizing for me.

Mouthfeel is very crisp and clean with good carbonation throughout. Drinkability could be a bit higher if not for the buttery tones in taste. Still a decently good seasonal for the BBC.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2009 17:19:30 | More by infi

natelocc787

California

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

Had this on tap at Fox and Hound. Very orange copper appearance. one finger head with tiny bubble, the color of the body is right on for the style but it was very clear with not much action. Nose was thin with small toffee and spice-mostly malt. Flavor was good holding the same notes as the aroma although fuller and more pronounced. Not watery but lacking flavor still. Drinkable as a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 05:50:39 | More by natelocc787

jkrich

Indiana

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

Clear, copper color with an off-white creamy head.

This one had minimal aroma: some faint malt aromas. I find that this style is not the most aromatic.

A rich, malty flavor that is somewhat balanced by some lingering hop bitterness. The emphasis here is on the malt - perhaps too much so.

Solid medium bodied and a little too much carbonation.

I did enjoy a pint of this with my meal, but given the malty flavor, I would not have more than a couple. Still, a solid offering.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2009 22:16:46 | More by jkrich

TLove

District of Columbia

2.6/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

(From Notes)

On tap at a bar in SW DC.

Really pretty in line with the style, but unfortunately not really remarkable in any way. This beer exudes mediocre craftsmanship and grassy, corn-laden structure. A decent try for the Vienna oktoberfest style with a stronger color, but the body gets a bit foamy and squeamish in the mouth. Irreverent lacing and not particularly noticeable in character in the smell, the beer does have a nice herbal, piney malt smell with some mint and rye grains in the mouth. Typical of the style. Slightly sweet, very calcic, and somewhat off in the finish. But overall, not shoddy. But nothing really notable either.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2009 04:01:50 | More by TLove

crenegar

New Jersey

2/5  rDev -45.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Regardless of everything else the problem here is the HUGE diacetyl presence. Had a sixtel of this on at my house for about 2 weeks and really tried to get around it but could not. returned it for a keg of Ramstein O'fest and this is much better. A friend had the smae issue and the 2 places in the area I tried it on tap it was the same way. Not nearly as noticeable in bottles. Question is...is this lack of quality control at certain brewing sites? I believe they are brewing in the Lehigh Valley now at the old Rolling Rock place but not sure. This is the second year in a row where the diacetly presence has been overwhelming, a shame because this used to be one of my favorite seasonals from them.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2009 18:38:28 | More by crenegar

gatornation

Minnesota

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

had on tap at applebees really this was the best brew they had to offer from a really bad tap list..however the beer had a nice copper glow to it with a decent 1/2 " head the smell was malty with caramel tones some toffee and baked bread ...the taste was caramel malts some baked bread with a slight hop middle followed by some fruit and more malt finish..sam adams is a macro/micro brewer a huge one now but one of the first on the block to change beer drinkers..so my hats off to them..this marzen while not the best was still very good..sam adams is always a fallback brew..and a good one at that

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2009 01:11:56 | More by gatornation

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally found this on a roatating tap at a BBQ place in New Milford. I'd been seeing Brooklyn October rotated in around Fairfield county, and while a good beer, its not the same.

Poured into a cold pint glass. Deep copper ruby color with a hint of white foam, long gone from the original pour.

Smells malty and bready. The beer was very cold, which I find to mute aromas.

Taste is the classic Octoberfest marzen malt. This beer for me defines that taste, at least for American versions. Some breadiness in there, caramel notes, and a restrained hop - all make for a near perfect taste.

Very drinkable, used to drink these by the gallon. Love this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2009 22:05:32 | More by KTCamm