Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Jsteez

New Mexico

3.05/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This was poured into a dimpled beer mug.

A-deep reddish, medium amber brew with a thin tan head that left minimal lacing on the glass. I was surprised to see there was not much to the appearance here.

S-Faint smell of caramel, toasy malt, and some spice. There was also a nice smell of cherry, too. It smelled quite refreshing and I was looking forward to my first sip. But the taste didn't meet my expectations.

T-Toasty malt, caramel malt, some autumn-esque spice, carmelized nuts, baked nutty taste. The aftertaste was okay: buttered bread with some buttery, toasted nuts. A faint taste of pumpkin.

M-The mouthfeel was disappointing. I thought it was a little too wet for this style. It was too fizzy from the carbonation. At times I felt like I was drinking a fizzy soda water. A slight dry feel was present.

Overall-This is just an average beer, not bad, not great, just a beer to have during the crisp fall months. Note the word "crisp", a word that this beer lacks. I love having nice autumn beer that gives me a nostalgic feeling that reminds me of the smell of fire places and leaves changing colors. This beer did not present that feeling.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 14:25:02 | More by Jsteez

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev 0%
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

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a coppery amber with a half finger white head that dissipated slowly to a film over the top and a ring around the glass. Aroma of sweet and bready malt with a hint of toasted malt and hops. Flavor is a pleasant lightly toasted, somewhat biscuity malt with slight light fruit and caramel. Solid biscuit malt finish with light hops. Medium bodied. A nice take on an Octoberfest, not complex, but with the expected solid malt body and finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 03:38:51 | More by LiquidAmber

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

355ml bottle poured into a 16oz pint glass.

A - Pours a clean, rusty amber, with a moderate head of fizzy foam. The head settles to a thin skiff of suds, leaving minimal lacing behind.

S - Lots of toasty, sweet malt, with some nutty and mildly spicy qualities coming through. A good balance of caramel malt and mild earthy hops.

T - Comes across the palate very malty, with the hops adding a mild herbal earthiness at the end. Sweet, toasty grains, crystal malt, spice, and light nutty notes. Some off notes here and there, but overall a drinkable, malty brew.

M - Medium bodied, with a nice, assertive carbonation. Finishes a bit dry, with a lingering hop presence, though subtle.

D - I'm certainly no expert on this particular style, but what better way to familiarize myself with it than reviewing the most popular Oktoberfest on the market. While this wouldn't be my first choice for a fall brew, I found it enjoyable enough.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:16:33 | More by Converge

scottfrie

California

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into DFH shaped pint. Abel, I stole this from your fridge last time I was over. Thanks muchacho.

A: Pours an even amber brown with a couple fingers of bubbly light tan head. Small patches of lace were left down the glass as the head disappeared into a faint collar.
S: Fruit juice, toasted grains, mild spiciness, and a hint of honey. Sweet, malty, fruity, and spicy.
T: Malty, bready and spicy with notes of fruit juice, toasted grains, orange peel and mild hops. The finish is sweet and the aftertaste is nutty and malty. Hints of apple juice.
M: Medium-full body, very slick and syrupy (but not cloying) mouthfeel, with low and smooth carbonation.
O: Solid all-around but not my favorite. Very affordable and drinkable though.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 02:06:00 | More by scottfrie

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

an amber almost ruby pour with about a finger of head. smells of malty sweetness, caramel, slight citrus.
the taste is bready, slightly citrusy (orange), slight hint of honey.
medium body, high carbonation - creamy on lips.
not a bad marzen at all - especially for one that's so easily available.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 23:49:46 | More by facundoCNB

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%
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

tewaris

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sam Adams Octoberfest

Should be fresh enough. Pours a very deep and dark amber color, with a medium off white head and medium retention. Sweet malts, perhaps toast in the aroma. Taste is definitely sweet with a slightly astringent finish that almost seems like a very mild version of roast. Drink easy and smooth. Can't be beaten for buck a bottle.

3, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 02:26:56 | More by tewaris

Mojo

Alabama

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours up a beautiful copper with a large tan head. Elaborate lacing is left as the glass is emptied. The nose is fruit and roasted nuts, a pretty pleasant if understated smell. Mouthfeel is kind of thick and syrupy. Taste is very sweet with sweet roasted malt from begiining to end. My main issue is that it tastes a little one dimensional. I'd like it to have a bit more assertive finish. But I enjoyed it overall and would take another if offered.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 03:13:07 | More by Mojo

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – Served a copper-orange color with a brew with a thick two finger off white head. The head slowly over time to leave a very nice level of lacing.

Smell – The smell is heaviest of roasted malt with a good dose of caramel sweetness. Mixed with this is a light earthy and herbal aroma as well.

Taste – The flavor begins of a biscuit flavor with a good presence of a roasted malt. There is a lighter sweetness of caramel and some brown sugar up front. As the taste advances the sweetness fades and some flavors of a slightly bitter earthy flavor and some nice spicy flavors come to the tongue. Toward the end of the flavor, the roastiness intensifies and when mixed with the rest of the flavors, leaves a roasty and spiced flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel- The body of the beer is on the slightly thicker side with a carbonation level that is on the slightly lower than average side. The thicker body was quite nice for the roasty and spicy flavors, although a little bit more carbonation would have made it a bit more refreshing.

Overall - Smooth with some nice roast and malt. While not the very the best Oktoberfest in my opinion, it is quite nice. A good go to for more session style drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2012 00:44:49 | More by Darkmagus82

rramsey

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

One of the best Octoberfest's I've had. Pours with an orange hue. Good carbonation. Taste is good. It is an enjoyable beer for the style. Mouthfeel is average. I enjoy this beer during this time of year. I will buy more next year. I can drink several of these at a sitting. Marzen is not my favorite style of beer but is a good beer and I enjoy drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 23:24:44 | More by rramsey

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada imperial pint.
5.3% ABV, Enjoy before Feb notched on label.

A - Autumn in a glass, this clear lager shines with is a robust rusted amber color which is capped by an off-white head of tiny bubbles. Spotty lacing collects around the pint above the thin, left over skim.

S - Fall is captured upon first whiff. Light Vienna malts provide an excellent base of faint toast and biscuit notes while the Munich malts offer quite a bit of mild sweetness which swirls throughout. A touch of earthiness suggests some hops but they're generally absent. A touch of mineral harshness trails off but this beer is generally very clean.

T - Maltiness continues to develop with it's Vienna base, once again pushing toasted qualities along with an overall sense of breadiness. The Munich malt's sweetness drops back from what the aroma suggests for something a little easier drinking while the finish opens up to hops just a hair more. Herbal notes and grassy earthiness are timid to say the least, but offer balance. Again, the beer's light mineral harshness becomes just a bit intrusive.

M - Medium-bodied and smooth, Samuel Adams Octoberfest has a delightfully malty but refreshing feel that really works well as a sessionable oktoberfestbier. Just a little dry earthiness on the finish goes a long way to keep the beer balanced and inviting.

O - Embodying the essence of fall, the malty aroma encourages the mentality to shift from light, crisp beers to maltier lagers before turning to full, rich stouts and the like. If there wasn't the pesky mineral finish that's almost metallic at points, I'd really, really love this beer. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good Oktoberfest; one I can drink quite a bit of in season, it's just held back from greatness.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 21:17:18 | More by BeerFMAndy

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass at fridge-cellar temperature.

L – Deep amber color with a 1.5-finger cream-colored bubbly head that dissipates pretty rapidly into a slick of bubbles across the surface. No lacing. Clear with lots of bubbles.

S – Full of malt with grain, toasted bread, and caramel aromas. There are maybe some earthy, floral hop aromas as well.

T – Follows the nose and adds some. Sweet nearly all the way through with grainy, bready, nutty, and toasted malt flavors. There’s a subtle earthy and spicy hop bitterness that comes through at the finish.

F – Medium-bodied with good carbonation, a crisp but creamy mouthfeel, and a grainy and slightly bitter and spicy finish. Grainy sweet malt and spicy, earthy, bitter hop flavors linger for a little bit.

O – This is a pretty good Oktoberfest beer. It has all the hearty and tasty malts that are supposed to be there. The subtly bitter finish was a little different touch, which was nice. I wish the head characteristics were a little better. Overall, this is a nice fall beer from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 02:40:53 | More by BlackBelt5112203

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.95/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle poured into an appropriately sized mug. The modest lacing falls a bit short of the handsome deep orange body below. Modestly sweet toffee aromas are complemented by subtle fruity, leafy and nutty notes. There's a tad more depth of flavor than the nose would suggest, although it's not as robust as I'd like. Lingering tangy toffee and mild sweetness are the closest things we have to lasting impressions here. Appropriately mild bitterness with modest leafy hop flavor and carbonation. Notions of bread crust with apple butter. A touch thickish on the palate. Quite easily drinkable, but ultimately forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 23:04:14 | More by PDXHops

tviz33

New York

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle to a pint glass

A- Pours a medium orange color with a tan two finger head. Good amount of lacing.

S- Not a whole lot on the nose. A bit of sweetness, some spice. Far from overpowering.

T- A lot more flavor than smell. Tastes like fall: Maple and caramel and just the right amount of spice. The tiniest amount of bitterness towards the end balances it.

M- Just great. Thick enough to chew on and thin enough to easily enjoy.

O- One of my favorite of the six from the fall sampler pack

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 02:43:23 | More by tviz33

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz longneck
A) Pours with a finger thick head. Clear body, copper in color. Thin sticky lacing on the drink down.
S) Caramel. Toffee. Nutty. Subtle apple notes.
T) Munich malts - caramel, toffee. Nutty. Bready. Hints of tree fruit. Subtle hops in the finish.
M) Fizzy. Medium body. Dry and Chalky in the finish.
O) A well craft Octoberfest. I will always drink one of these.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 00:43:41 | More by u2carew

yamar68

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Looks pretty in the glass - clear copper gold topped with a half finger of khaki head that laces a dirty glass.

Smells like Fall... amber type malts, faint cinnamon/nutmeg, sweet bread character, dirty caramel, nothing too exciting but true to the style for sure.

Lots of sweet grain on the tongue, bits of that caramel come through, some pale malt - barley notes, pairs nicely with the weather.

Highly drinkable. Honestly I'm not a big marzen fan in general but this is just fine for a beer with lunch on a day like this.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 17:28:12 | More by yamar68

vkv822

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into tulip snifter.
Best By: Feb. 2013

Pours a a clear amber red with a foamy off white head with nice retention.

The aroma is malty upfront, cracker and a slight caramel note. There are some grassy hops and nuts in the finish, though a bit subdued overall.

The taste follows the nose pretty closely, though the flavors are more prominent.

Medium body, medium- foamy carbonation.

A solid and enjoyable Marzen. Something I don't mind having a 6-pack of.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 07:57:34 | More by vkv822

DisasterDave

3.05/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had high hopes based on the label that says, "5 roasted malts for a rich hearty flavor...." The flavor was pleasant and had the malt flavor as advertised, but not as hearty as I hoped.

In its favor, not a lingering after taste.

It's a beer I would be glad to drink again, but not one I will be excited to tell my friends about.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 03:03:34 | More by DisasterDave

jtnelson40

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Reddish clear copper color poured from bottle into my mug, off white finger wide head, fades away quick leaving a little lacing.

S: Malty, hint of bread.

T: Toasted malt, slightly sweet, I can taste a little orange. Maybe that is the hops?

M: Some carbonation, smooth in the mouth, goes down almost too easy.

O: I like this beer alot! Goes down easy, love the malt flavor. I could slam several of these in a short amount of time!

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 01:26:16 | More by jtnelson40

Scrylol

Alberta (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice dark orange/copper color with a two finger cream colored head that quickly disappears. Little lacing, and a stream of bubbles on the surface.

Slight caramel sweetness to the aroma, with some roasted malts. Pretty subtle.

Nice toasted malt flavors on the tongue, slight caramel notes, some earthy and biscuit notes. Very little hop presence. Leaves a dry, bready, smoky-like flavor in the aftertaste.

Decent carbonation and mouthfeel, nice but watery finish.

A decent Octoberfest by Samuel Adams.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 00:34:23 | More by Scrylol

sAws

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours the colors of Autumn, its a really nice looking beer. Has a creamy head and good carbonation. Smell is very faint and not much going on, I expected to smell the 5 malts stronger than this. Taste is delicious with malts. No single overpowering malt flavor just a complex of many malt flavors. Mouthfeel is almost perfect for this style with a slight creaminess. Overall its a great beer that I enjoyed the more I drank it. Will be a definite buy every fall.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 14:48:37 | More by sAws

magictacosinus

California

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz bottle. No freshness date, but clearly meant to consume by the day Oktoberfest in Germany ends!! Hooray for beer!

Initial pour is highly carbonated, with a generous head, amongst a brownish amber color. Head eventually recedes next to nothing, but carbonation ends up being plentiful. Pretty standard in color - although I could use with a much *nicer* head for a marzen - but overall well presented.

Strong malts make up the backbone of the aroma, but there's other notable flavors to speak of as well, among them biscuits, pumpkin spice, caramel, cinnamon, and brown, burnt sugar. With all those sugars and spices, it's clearly sweet towards the finish, and no alcohol presence is around to overpower those aromas. There's not as much hoppiness as I wished for, but it's still pretty close to how marzens are.

The flavor is exactly the same as the description for its aroma, with the notable exception that it's slightly smoky during the finish. There's a warming alcohol sensation at the back of the throat. Malts are very strong here, with hops playing a minor presence in the beer's main flavor. Did I mention biscuits?? This is very much like a basket of fresh biscuits, but it's definitely more enjoyable than other notable amber ales (such as Fat Tire) due to its nicely thick body, as well as generous carbonation that makes it a delightful drinking experience. I would suggest drinking this far colder under room temperature so the assault of malts don't arrive as quickly as they did for me.

All in all, a very balanced, easily drinkable tribute to marzens and Oktoberfest seasonal beers. While not my all-time favorite, it's still an undeniably well made offering from Samuel Adams. A crowd pleasure for sure, despite being too a little malty for me, personally. Recommended a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 01:54:06 | More by magictacosinus

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured a clear reddish amber in a crystal mug. The white bubbly head only builds one finger high and dissipates fast, leaving no lacing.
The smell is of roasted malts.
The taste is dominated by this roasted malt backbone, with hints of spice and caramel. A mild hop gives some balance.
Overall a nice fall brew, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:21:26 | More by Hopfenpeter

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear dark copper in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall off-white head that reduces to a thin ring of bubbles at the edge of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderare aromas of caramel malts with an almost maple syrup like sweetness.

T: Like the smell, there is a moderate amount of caramel malt sweetness with just a hint of maple syrup sweetness. The hop bitterness is noticeable in the finish but not overpowering - well balanced.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink and very sessionable - nothing super here but nothing bad either, very much an average beer in the style. Pretty well balanced in flavors between the sweetness of the malts and the bitterness of the hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 02:27:10 | More by dbrauneis