Warsteiner Premium Oktoberfest - Warsteiner Brauerei

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap a pint at Pizza Plant. Fresh with abundant lace and white head, apple juice appearance of body. Taste is a bit complex, with fruity toasty nutty malty character. Nothing tremendous. Fizzy carbonation detracted. Ayinger was superior vertical on Octoberfest.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2006 14:39:03 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

1.8/5  rDev -46.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Haystack gold with a faint orangish tint. This is definitely one of the lightest Oktoberfests in recent memory. My fear is that the flavor will match the appearance. The lid is a large chunk of bone white foam that looks decent enough and that leaves a decent amount of lace.

If blinded, Euro pale lager would have been my guess after the smell test. There's nothing about Warsteiner Oktoberfest's nose that is the least bit Oktoberfestish. It's pale grainy with an underlying stale, musty hoppiness. I might have suspected old age, but the 'best before' date is still more than five months away.

Maybe... maybe I can taste the resemblance to the stated style, although I still wouldn't have guessed it right off. It tastes as if a few ounces of a substandard Oktoberfest were added to at least three times that much Warsteiner Premium Verum (not a great beer by any stretch of the imagination).

The appearance did not lie. There's an insufficient amount of malt that isn't nearly toasted or nutty enough. This is such a crappy beer that I can't bring myself to go on. How does this brewery continue to survive when there have to be hundreds, if not thousands, of German Oktoberfests that kick its ass up one side of the autobahn and down the other?

Needless to say, the mouthfeel is way too light. It's also insufficiently carbonated and has no spark whatsoever. Thin and borderline flat is a less than compelling combination. Not good. Not good at all.

I would have bet a lot of money that I wouldn't run across a beer as bad as Warsteiner Premium Fresh (a low alcohol beer). Wrong again. I'm pretty damn sure this is the worst Oktoberfest in the long, storied history of Oktoberfests. If it isn't, I don't want to taste whatever is.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2008 14:47:31 | More by BuckeyeNation

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Clear copper body with a small, tight white head.

Smell: Mild aroma of toasted grain husks, a drop of honey, and spicy hop.

Taste: Toasted grain huskiness and caramel malt flavor. Hint of honey. Fairly subdued sweetness. The spicy hops, while present, never provide much bitterness and drop out somewhat quickly. Finishes with a light honey sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: The Warsteiner Oktoberfest is non-offensive, but not very interesting, either. It's definitely at the lighter end of the Oktoberfest spectrum.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2007 23:08:18 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice beer. Not overly complicated, not outstanding; just pure and simple. A golden-copper, crystal clear hue, moderately carbonated and forms a 1/2" white head with a little lacing. Smells softly of barley malt, caramel, toffee, and spiciness. Flavors of classic german pilsner flavors with a little toasty quality. Throw in a bit of caramel and toffee. Spicy with added noble hops. No off flavors. Body is medium and airy. Finish is fleeting, but not dry or abrupt. Very clean and crisp. A well brewed beer, but not a favorite among high gravity lovers.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2005 18:48:24 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

My Oktoberfest season hasn't ended just yet... This stuff pours a clear sunset brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises biscuit, toffee, grass, a touch of butter, and a few sprinklings of mild greens. The taste brings in more of the same, but ups the grass and greens and adds a touch of orange peel. Still, the dry, buttery biscuit steals the show. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a decent O-Fest, but I'd put it in the lower echelon of those from the Fatherland.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 04:03:50 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

2.65/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a golden color with a thin fizzy white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is average. It has a dry, pilsner malt scent with a faint Munich malt sweetness and next to no hop aroma. The taste is below average. It has a very bland pilsner flavor with an ultra dry finish. It's got zero Marzen character and little to be festive about. The mouthfeel is average. It is a low bodied beer with too much CO2. This is a beer for the scrap heap. It's a poor example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2009 18:42:44 | More by WesWes

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

2.45/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

On-tap 9/27/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass but it doesn't like much like an O-Fest at all.

S: The aroma is of light caramelized malts, spices, some fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out flavors of spices and berries (not like an O-Fest to have a berry flavor) and there's a thin malt character. The hops presence is mild and does not create much balance. The after-taste is slightly fruity.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: Not very tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, not a good representation of style, there aren't a lot of qualities that make this beer anything like a typical O-Fest and overall, it's not a beer that I would want to drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2009 22:40:27 | More by TheManiacalOne

Halcyondays

California

2.95/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a shade darker than pale yellow, but not amber, medium white head, good head retention, spotty lacing.

S: Cooked cereal, wet grain, grass, don't get a real caramel component.

T: Very husky grain character, with a light toffee character. Hops give an earthy grass note, with a hint of spearmint, not typical marzen flavours, more in the Helles style, like a 80/20 Helles/Marzen mix.

M: Light-bodied and drinkable, moderate carbonation, light viscosity on the tongue, thin at times, has an off-dry finish.

D: This is pretty much a middle of the road marzen, similar to what I found in their Helles. Inexpensive for an import, I'll give it that, but there are much more enjoyable and tasty German examples out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2008 21:41:48 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

2.7/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours light translucent orange with a golden hue. A white head descends to a thin cover that lasts most of the duration before becoming a patch. Little lacing sticks.

The smell is grainy and husky with just a tad of caramel. Smells more like an EPL (maybe more of a pils? oddly enough) with a touch of vague caramel - not really what I would expect from an O-fest.

The taste is husky/grainy with a touch of almost artificial caramelish sweetness added to it with a spattering of warming alcohol. Blandish, sweetish finish.

It lacks the texture of an O-fest, being a bit too fizzy and on the lighter side in body.

Pretty drinkable while going down, it does leave a blandish aftertaste. It has a surprising drinkability for all the drawbacks. Still, it's not worth getting this one when there are smoother, tastier, better examples of the style that are just as easily attainable.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2008 01:16:16 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A pint from the Oktoberfest line-up at the Old Chicago in Southgate, Michigan, during the twin sensory attack of Tigers and Lions games being played (and rapturously followed) at the same time.

This beer appears a crystal clear medium golden colour, with one finger of soapy, creamy off-white head, which renders a wall of pocked painted lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of bready cracker malt, a bit of yeast, and mild citrusy, earthy hops. The taste is warm bready, grainy malt, mild edgy yeast, leafy, earthy hops, and some metallic alcohol. The carbonation is moderate, the body somehow vibrating, and not quite smooth. It finishes warm and grainy, some weak earthy hops fishing about.

Not crisp enough to engender any desire for more - and too much German lager diesel character to boot...

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 22:49:14 | More by biboergosum

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on-tap at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque in ’06. (they had a large seating area set up just for Warsteiner) Pours golden amber with a head that doesn’t stick around too long. Nose is virtually non-existent. Flavor seemed to have a fruity edge to it and it seems to stay on your mouth for some time. Feel is thick and frothy. Definitely drinkable, but one of the weakest of the style I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2007 05:51:41 | More by RblWthACoz

Wasatch

Utah

3.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks goes out to jwc215 for this one.

Pours a clean/clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, one-finger creamy white head, with some sticky lacing to follow. The nose is malty, with some spices. The taste is malty, sweet, and some spice. Medium body. Drinkable, not too bad.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2008 00:27:13 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

had on tap at Max's Taphouse Baltimore.

Light fizzy head, crystal clear golden pale color.

Nose light straw malts, toasty malts, hint of creamy malts and light noble hops

Taste nice toasty malts, cracked straw, light sweet malts, light creamy, light noble hop bitterness, nice decoction flavor, light sweet and fruity malt. Finishes dry and crisp, light lager fruit, light noble hop.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb, clean and crisp.

Overall great. Nice malts, straw, toast, dry, clean and crisp, noble hops, just delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 00:58:49 | More by jlindros

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.53/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Brown pour, some clarity for a light brown beer, mild head, no retention or lace. Aroma was skunky dishsoap.

Taste of raisin, mild sweetness if you look for it. Light caramel, off flavor metallic bitterness rather than the characteristic smoothness you would hop for, not even nutty depth. Thin body. Not even really easy drinking for me, just kept thinking about the relative rip off price for a beer with hardly any substance to it and a few off flavors. Maybe a little bit of old toffee from grandma's candy dish from like 10 years ago.

Not impressed, wouldn't recommend, especially at close to $10 a 6 pack, I don't know what you're paying for.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 23:47:47 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Brauhaus Schmitz, Philly, PA

A lesser alternative to a Spaten, Warsteiner's marzen pours a clear copper color with a small head that displays moderate retention and a bit of lacing. Aroma of toasted grains, sweet malts, pretty standard for the style. More of the same in the taste, toasted grains, caramel malts, cardboard, light hops give a mildly bitter finish. Light-medium body, a bit thin and bland overall, but easily drinkable at least.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 18:56:06 | More by Rifugium

DoubleJ

California

2.4/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

It's never too late for an Oktobefestbier...as long as it's consumed before the best by date (which this bottle is). On to the beer:

Clear straw yellowish-orange is the color of the beer, topped off by a big fizzy head. A little grass and skunk in the aroma, not very pleasing. Fortunately the taste is okay. Very simple lager with a sweet note. A kick of alcohol then numbs the tongue. It's very light bodied for an O-Fest, similar feel to a pale lager. I wasn't impressed by this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2008 06:39:29 | More by DoubleJ

Gusler

Arizona

3/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

In the glass a translucent golden amber color with the head modest in size, frothy in its texture, the color a bright white, lace forms a decent sheet upon the glass. Hints of caramel sweetness in the nose, crisp and clean, start is sweet, top is skeletal in its feel upon the palate. Finish is crisply acidic, hops pertinent to the style, aftertaste dry and long lasting, average at best.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2003 02:44:30 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear light golden antique gold color with a thin white head, definitely not your typical marzen looking beer but looks more like a festbier.

S: light caramel and soft toasted malting.

T: light cereal grains, fresh bread, and light toasted malt with a grainy texture and mouthful. There is a nice graininess and a touch of honey malt with a good herbal hopping. Softly carbonated the beer is very smooth and crisp. While not looking like or tasting as sweet as your typical oktoberfest style beers, this does present a nice grainbill highlighting this beer making for a good session festbier.

M: softly carbonated with only a light toasted sweetness coming through. light bodied.

D: A decent grain bill and well balanced brew makes this pretty satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 00:08:53 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

3.43/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell was upfront sweet malt. Hints of caramel and hazelnuts also were detected.

The flavor was likewise malty. However, there was a certain dullness to the malt. I believe the bee could have used a bit more hop spice.

The mouthfeel was on the thin side.

Overall a decent German macro Oktoberfest. Certainly not as complex of a malt profile as other offerings, but certainly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2006 14:10:36 | More by plaid75

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On draught at the German Village Oktoberfest. I guess this is a newer offering from Warsteiner and isn't a terrible attempt. Hazy orange color with a thin light beige head. More hops than malt in the aroma, which is kind of a change in this style for me. Medium-bodied and almost over-carbonated with the hop profile dominating, although the malt begins to assert itself a little more on the backswing. The finish is rather slick. This isn't a great beer by any stretch but it does the job nicely on a cold Oktoberfest evening.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2003 17:16:43 | More by Dogbrick

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Comes out of the tap a clear amber with a decent white head. Aroma is strong, crisp, malty and slightly fruity, mainly banana. Flavor is malty and crisp with a firm undertone of banana and just a hint of caramel. Texture is smooth and only slightly fizzy, rather pleasing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2009 17:22:05 | More by Cyberkedi

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. A pale bronze in color with a lofty white head.

Smell is of munich malts and a whiff of noble hop.

Has some elements of an Oktoberfest weissbier. Grainy and toasted malts on the forefront with a wheat cracker like profile. Hop adds a sour lemon twang to round everything off.

Mouthfeel is on the light side of medium bodied.

Drinks easy, could surely spend hours on end downing these in a biergarten.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2009 14:52:40 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a yellowish-brown color and a totally clear consistency. There was about a quarter inch of head and som very average lacing.

S: Didn't smell of anything beyond a heavy maltiness.

T: A decent amount of malt and a slightly bready quality, but not much else. An uninteresting taste.

M: An average amount of carbonation and a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

D: On the whole this is just a really middle-of-the-road beer. It simply doesn't have enough personality to hold your interest.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2008 14:34:14 | More by avalon07

scruffwhor

Illinois

3/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a golden sunshine and copper color with ok bubbling and a very quick head. The aroma is pilsner malts with a little extra toast to them. This smells just like the flagship Warsteiner pilsner, but with just a little toastiness. This beer tastes just like the flagship Warsteiner pilsner, just a little toastier. I wouldn't be surprisewd if it was teh exact same recipe, with maybe some caramel malts thrown into the mix. Very drinkable beer, just doesn't have a hell of a lot of character.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 17:29:59 | More by scruffwhor

cokes

Wisconsin

2.9/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Shadowy dark gold (approximating dilute amber). White froth on top initially, but goes bald after a minute or two.
Grainy, Germanic hopped nose. Though substancially muted for my likings.
Begins quietly toasted. The toasty hues fade quickly and are replaced by raw grain. Goes akwardly vacant for a moment prior to the less-than-emphatic hop closure. Light gassy and grassy bitterness late.
Bland and clumsy are not a good couple.
Light bodied with steady-rising carbonation.
Quaffable, yes. But nevertheless, one of the least inspired German festbiers I've tried.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2003 05:30:58 | More by cokes