Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

allboutbierge

Austria

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

The bar by my school we always go to, Chipper's Pub, has a 1.75 Sam Adams wednesday night special and i tried a couple of these when they came in and took a few home. I was impressed. The dark orange amber color is alluring but alas, the little head that pours disapates quickly but does leave a nice thick lace on the sides of the glass. Has a very malty and fruity taste. Leaves me with an aftertaste of slight carmelness. Some say this beer is a little sweet and it may be too sweet to get drunk off of, but out of respect (and my wallet) i rarely get loaded off sams...hell, thats what yuengling is for :) For the next few months i will definetly be drinking more of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2002 10:30:30 | More by allboutbierge

ZAP

Minnesota

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Geez, I bitched and bitched and bitched until the local store here finally got this in (2 months late I might add which is par for the couse for SA products here), and I have to say I am slightly disappointed.

This has been my favorite 'fest the past two years running, but this year it is simply middle-of-the-road...

Pours an orangish color with the soft white head...nose almost smells light an adjunct was used but I highly doubt it....still it has that smell....the taste is sweet and slick, but not as impressive as past years...finishes with slight hop bite....as sweet as this is, it could pass for a bock in some quarters...It really lacks the toastiness I enjoy in my 'fests...

Still, this is a decent beer..better than some, not as good as others...It is not as good as the Tyranena I just had before this, but considerbly better than Lakefront and others...

Decent...worth getting a sixer of to try, but unlike past years not worth going back to stock up on a case...

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2002 22:03:31 | More by ZAP

zerk

California

2.2/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I am baffled reading the reviews of this one... and wondering if I got an off 6 pack. The beer is great to look at... translucent amber / ruby with a thin, lacy head... but in all other respects was very unimpressive. Somewhat malty in flavor and aroma, with very noticeable medicinal (almost like maraschino cherries) overtones that almost make the beer undrinkable. Some hops bitterness in the finish as well, which is kind of out of character for the style. Pretty thin, with medium to high carbonation. This is one that I have really enjoyed in the past, but if it's supposed to taste the way this 6-er does, I won't be drinking it anymore.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2002 08:07:07 | More by zerk

chilidog

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I thought this to be a good festive seasonal brew. Im not aware of years past and changes. I enjoyed this years as its appearance was outstanding. Good dark copper/orange color, off-white head with thick ring-like lace.Classic look! Taste was smooth, malty & carmal.The abv is kicked up alittle, but not in the taste or smell.It had a very autumn character. Just as I expected.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2002 05:01:14 | More by chilidog

zakery

Ohio

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

Appearance: Off-white big-bubbled yet sticky head on a brownish tinted amber brew.

Smell: Sweet malty smell.

Taste: A nice round taste. No strong tastes that I can grab on to. Some hops that stay around for a few seconds in the aftertaste. Aftertaste has notes of corn, or rather that of corn-based snacks.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with rather low carbonation.

It's a pretty good beer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 15:31:09 | More by zakery

DarthMalt

Virginia

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

I've never seen such devotion to a beer style as Oktoberfest.

Sam Adams succeeds handily in throwing down with the top German brews in producing this uber-quaffing beer.

A tad bit more ruby than the other Ok-Fests. The hop nose, aroma, and whatever-the-hell-else makes an Oktoberfest are glaringly apparent in this beer.

It's hard to pick out anything that makes Sam's Okee unique from other Ok-Fests, save for the fact that it is exceptionally spot-on for authenticity.

Hats off, Sam! No wonder so many BAs recommended you to me.

-----------------------

Packaging note: Sam's Halloween-like, orange-and-blue-University-of-Virginia, used-car-dealership-streamers labeling is pretty slick in contrast to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen's blue-and-white-lozenges panties theme.

:)

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2002 20:11:15 | More by DarthMalt

ElGuapo

New Jersey

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

nothing fantastic, but still quality. very smooth with some sweet maltiness. a hint of bitterness and a little hops hit you at the end. all in all, this is not a top of the line oktoberfest, but it is a beer that is worth drinking. i found it very good to drink, but not with a spicy pizza, as the two did not like each other

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2002 18:46:49 | More by ElGuapo

Jordan

California

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Mediocre offering from our friends at Boston Beer Co. Sweet malty core with a periphery of dried fruit and leaf and a metallic note or two. Slim body. The greatest point about Sam Adams October Fest is that it succeeds in bringing the sensations of autumn to the palate.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2002 18:44:20 | More by Jordan

doho95fu

California

2.53/5  rDev -31.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Somewhere at the Boston Beer Company HQ there is a box marked "Oktoberfest Flavor" because it is not in the bottle - and I checked 6 times. It pours a nice color and the head looks great but doesn't last long. Not much lace either. The taste is bland and it just doesn't have that Octoberfest uniqueness. Its drinkable but so is water.... I don't like to bash, but this one is below average

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2002 17:13:03 | More by doho95fu

Todd

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours an outstanding crystal clear dark amber with a massive, thick, slightly off-white foam head with plenty of laced stick and retention.

Metallic, grain, a bit musty.

A smooth and even malty body kicks things off for this beer. Malts are sweet, a bit chewy. Notes of raisin and a soft, weak, watery plum flavour. Grape skin. Gentle hop leaf feel in the background with some herbal hop spice -- little bitterness. More metallic, grain and some mineral flavours that fall into the finish. Burnt raisin on the edges. Slightly dry. Odd steel aftertaste in the finish.

This is a very "safe" offering from the Boston Beer Company. Very average and unexciting compared to other Oktoberfestbiers. Worth trying if it's all you can get, but worth passing on if you can find better. I also swear that the recipe is being dumbed down every year ...

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2002 18:26:16 | More by Todd

marc77

California

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well lagered crystal clear dark copper in hue, covered by an ivory white, thick persistant head that leaves rough lace. The aroma is comprised of a spicy / herbal noble hop nose accompanied by lightly toasty Munich and caramel malt. Fruity melanoidins are present as a trace. Fairly tame aromawise. Bready, biscuity sweetness upfront yields to caramel malt and dark fruitiness, with mild hop bitterness providing a lightly bittersweet character mid palate. Lightly bodied and crisp in mouthfeel, lending an oddly refreshing nature to this brew. Finishes w/ trace notes of butter. This is not a particularly good Octoberfest due to its thin malt backbone and overall lack of complexity. Sam's Ofest is flavorful and clean enough for good drinkability, however. It's better than average, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2002 17:18:51 | More by marc77

shirfan

New York

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

Clear orange-red color, disappointing head. Aroma is fair, nothing stands out.

Starts carmel-malty, but then goes nowhere. Just a hint of hops and a bit of candy-corn aftertaste; it doesn't beg the drinker to take another sip like a really tasty beer will.

Not really bad, but the standard Boston Lager is more complex and inviting.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2002 00:22:26 | More by shirfan

dpend

Florida

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

I agree with what "beerluvr" said about this beer being different in the past.It seems to be more malty and syrupy than that of previous years.The carbonation appeared to be off as well(not as sticky).I did drink this as soon as it was released as opposed to drinking last years after it had aged a bit.Some guys at my work had questioned the difference too, so I knew I wasn't crazy.All in all a good beer, but not a favorite and I will hesitate next year.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2002 12:12:18 | More by dpend

Jon

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This seasonal offering pours a reddish-copper color with a huge, pillowy head that leaves considerable lace. The head is rather overwhelming and holds up well. The smell, on the other hand, is lacking. I smell a somewhat nutty malty aroma, but it's subdued. The taste is rather sweet and malty with some fruity undertones. Mouthfeel is a bit watery and lightly carbonated, but it does bring the drinkability up a bit. This is one of the better domestic Octoberfest offerings and is worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2002 15:07:54 | More by Jon

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours golden amber in the glass. Nice sticky off-white head, doesn't hang around too long though. Sweet malt in the nose, light mouthfeel with more maltiness as the dominant feature here. Very light bitterness,with a slightly dry finish. Not as full-bodied/malty as I was expecting...I'm a bit underwhelmed with this, I remember it being a bit "bigger" in years past.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2002 21:26:22 | More by beerluvr

Lupe

New York

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep orange color with a slightly foamy head and decent lace. Malt, fruit, spice, hops, and alcohol all in the nose and taste. Nicely balanced, very smooth, and highly drinkable. Very good, what you would expect from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2002 19:28:06 | More by Lupe

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a deep orange / amber color with a slightly foamy and sticky off-white head. On the nose the aroma of the noble hops comes through, hints of fruit and spice. Mouthfeel is slightly grainy, a bit sharp at first… but settles down. On the palate the flavors consist of mild fruit, caramel, toasted malts, slight hop bitterness. Tastes a bit like a very, very light SA dobble bock…not really a good o'fest though, to many better ones out there. Still drinkable though.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2002 17:47:58 | More by WilliamPhilaPa

hyuga

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2002 release. Orange-amber color and a white head with many large bubbles. Head stays well for a bit, but eventually goes down to a thin lace. Apparently this one needs a good hard pour to retain a head. Malty smell with some hop character and fruitiness. Lots of toasted malt flavor that is typical of Sam Adams beers. Sweet hop flavor that has just the right amount of bitterness, which seems to increase as you drink more. Lots of flavor here, but not quite as much as I would expect from a Sam Adams beer. Still a good brew in my opinion, and definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2002 13:01:34 | More by hyuga

Thrasher

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

To my mind, this seems mellower than recent years. I find this a boon because I seem to remember my palate growing tired after one or two bottles from the previous batches. Perhaps something has been sacrificed, but overall I think it's a plus, at least in the drinkability department. Cushy head atop a crystal clear amber liquid, slight musty aroma. Tangy malts with just the right trace of spices to let you know you've got a Fest beer grasped tightly in your mitt. The taste profile goes through its cycle quickly, ending up with a photo finish containing faint echoes of the flavor, nice and gummy. Even though Sam has been troubled recently in the PR department, I'm enjoying their specialty beers (read: anything other than Boston Lager and Light) more than ever. Think I'll have a Cream Stout a little later on.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2002 19:27:50 | More by Thrasher

mophie

Delaware

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

This is a fairly decent beer, and an OK way to celebrate the season, IMO. Rich copper/orange color with a creamy tan head. Subtle noble hop aromas, slightly spicy, with a little caramel and brown sugar. Taste is dominated by malt, but the hop presence is there to keep things balanced. A bit juicy. Slight alcohol spiciness in the finish. I'll have another, thank you.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2002 07:23:23 | More by mophie

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

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer has grown on me year after year. Medium head that quickly fades. Burnt golden color. Aroma could be more pronounced. Malty, sweet, and satisfying. Good balance with a soft, creamy finish. Subtle bittering hops emerge at the end of a lingering aftertaste. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2002 12:13:56 | More by Suds

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

jackndan

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sam Adams Octoberfest (2002): As deep orange a beer as you’ll ever see, with an off-white head with good retention and stickiness. This beer has an aroma of pumpkin pie spices, and fresh bread. Very pronounced malt flavor, with great spiciness. The beer has a hint of alcohol warmth, and it carries through to the aftertaste. This beer has always meant fall to me, and this was very fresh. But I’ve found through long experience that this beer ages very well. Buy it now because it’ll be gone in October, but it’ll last till June. Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2002 20:18:08 | More by jackndan

bmills1608

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is a really nice orangy-amber color, when I poured it, the first thought I had was pumpkin.

Smell is fresh malt, almost cake like, not a real sharp or over powering nose, but smooth and soft.

Taste is rich and malty, somewhat complex in what seems to me was a quick wave a baking spices flashing across my taste buds. After the first sip I swear I could taste autumn. Really nice and smooth. I was drinking this in the cool of my basement when outside it's August and 90 and the summer can't end fast enough for me now.

Finish was sweet with a bit of chocolate and caramel in the finish, maybe even a touch of fruit.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2002 05:47:17 | More by bmills1608