Warsteiner Premium Oktoberfest - Warsteiner Brauerei

almychristopher

New York

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

this beer pours a very light golden yellow color with a white head that recedes quickly to a thin layer of lace. the aroma presents a very light amount of malt character and of course a touch of the yeast esters. the taste brings a bit of sweet malt and not a lot else. a surpriseing amount of body for the lack of malt in the taste, good carbonation and an easy drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2009 03:21:10 | More by almychristopher

livingregret

Washington

3.43/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type: bottle

Appearance: Light gold, 3 finger head that dissolves into nothing. Little to no lacing

Smell: A touch of malt, light biscuity goodness, floral hops as well.

Taste: Biscuits up front with slight sweetness, floral taste that dries quickly. This doesn't revolutionize the Oktoberfest but isn't bad either.

Mouthfeel: Thin and almost no presence of the alcohol. After the drying sensation ends after a sip you get a sweet slickness on the palate. A little odd

Drinkability: Having said that....it's a nice light beer. Not quite crisp but good enough

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 23:18:14 | More by livingregret

Duhast500

Massachusetts

2.68/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a mug.

The color is a light gold with three fingers of foamy white head. No lacing.

The smell is thin, some mellow caramel flavor with some sugarieness to this beer but a little muted at the same time. It tested me to find the really flavor profile.

The taste has a light cinnamon flavor. Is not really strong in flavor that pushes through to give you much to go on my but does have some things to talk about.

The lightness of this beer is quite refreshing and feels very good when going down. It is a good beer for the fall seasib but is light so could be good for a warmer day then mid to late October.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2009 01:29:54 | More by Duhast500

Florida9

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark straw, light gold in color. Pours with a very active, white head, that fizzes up to about a 1/4 inch then quickly dissipates to nothingness.

S: Strong scent of straw, grains and cereal.

T: Grains and cereal. Toast. With light hop bitterness on the finish.

M: Clean, crisp and dry. Thin, with higher carbonation levels. A refreshing beer.

D: A nice beer, but I'm not exactly sure what makes this one an Oktoberfest as compared to their regular offering as this is one of the lightest Oktoberfest beers I've ever tasted. Virtually no malts for a style which typically is quite malty.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2009 02:08:18 | More by Florida9

generallee

New York

3.78/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 11.2oz bottle into my Spaten Oktoberfest stange glass. There is a "best before end" date of 09.JUN.10 and it was sampled on 10-23-09.

Appearance: The body has a deep golden color with lots of nice carbonation and great clarity. A small bright white and loosely packed head sits on top but it quickly disappears and leaves no lacing behind.

Smell: The nose has light malt with a touch of toasted biscuit and some nice floral/perfume like hops. Also noticeable is a hard mineral water note in the nose.

Taste/Palate: The flavor has the same toasted biscuity malt and floral hops in the nose with mineral sweetness up front that quickly turns dry by the finish. The palate has a light to medium body with smooth yet active carbonation.

Notes: This was a very basic but very drinkable Oktoberfest beer. I did enjoy it but I would have loved more head retention!!!

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 23:05:01 | More by generallee

bonkers

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at Capone's. It is a light amber with a moderate white head. The aroma is sweet and bready. The flavor profile is sweet with toasted malts and the finish lingers a bit. The beer went down smooth for a full bodied brew. A solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 23:22:45 | More by bonkers

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a tap into a mug.

A: A dark gold color with a two finger white fluffy head. Very light color for an Ofest.

S: Grainy malts, some fruit and some floral hops

T: Bready, grainy malt with flavors of lemon, banana, grassy and floral hops, some malt caramel sweetness and a mild hop bitterness on the finish. Nothing extreme here.

M: Light, a bit thin with no alcohol noticed. Not a lot of flavors lingering.

D: Pretty good, these go down smoothly.

Don't expect an award winner here, but it was a solid drinkable beer. Not bad, I would drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 20:31:26 | More by Kadonny

JamesS

Indiana

3.95/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pale orange/deep yellow color (nice German brewed coloring) with some very nice head and a bit of lacing. Nice clean and malty scent, with just a hint of spiciness. Great flavor, a nice and deep maltiness, thick with a nice caramel tone to it. Went down great. Very nice Oktoberfest.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 18:34:17 | More by JamesS

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

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

Warsteiner- Oktoberfest

A- Light clear orange with a small soapy filmy head. Light amount of lacing along the top edge of the glass.
S- Light crisp cereal grains, caramel, buttery malt.
T- Light cereal grain; corn, wheat, and oat. A light touch of buttery sweet caramel with a minute' touch of earthy dry hops.
M- Light watery and crisp. Light flavors with a mild sugary sweet finish.

Overall- Non offensive and an easy drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2009 21:53:22 | More by NJpadreFan

dogfishandi

New York

3.3/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle at about cellar temp poured into a pint glass. pours a rather light color for an ocktoberfest. deep golden, slight brown amber color with some soapy slight off white head that only had a little retention. just a tiny bit of lacing.

the aroma is filled primarily with the smell of grains. sorta like a pilsner or euro type lager. though according to the bottle, this is a ale, not a lager as the style suggests. slight toasted malt aroma going on, maybe a touch of some floral hops, but not much else going on here.

a little better in the taste, still has a grainy finish. toasted caramel malts in there as well. some floral hops.

medium to light bodied. smooth mouthfeel. prolly wouldnt want to drink too many of these in a night, not my favorite style, but thats just my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 17:07:34 | More by dogfishandi

trbergman

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

330mL bottle poured into a shaker pint.

A - Amber with plenty of fine-bubbled carbonation and not quite a finger of creamy white head.

S - Smells of grain husks, leaves, some floral hops.

T - Better than I was expecting from the eye and nose, with bready and caramel malt taste, and a bit of fruit, balanced with spicy/floral noble hop flavor. Some bitterness cuts through the sweet malt but doesn't outshine it.

M - Light and smooth.

D - Quite nice. It doesn't have quite the richly integrated character of the ideal Marzen, but it's worth a try. I could easily drink a couple of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2009 02:45:33 | More by trbergman

unclejimbay

Florida

3.65/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Warsteiner Premium Oktoberfest
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest (sort of a stretch)
ABV: 5.90 %

This brewed surprised me as it's one fo the lightest colored Ofest brew I have seen to date. If I have to sum it up in one statement "A Euro Lager/Pils merged with leftovers of an Oktoberfest brew". I personally liked it better than most Euor Pils/Pale Lagers and many Oktoberfests. It was a unique surprise and nice change of pace from "normal" Ofest brews. Thanks to Tom @ Schintzel Haus for his suggestion.

3/3/4/3/4

Appearance was lighter in color than most other Ofest brews, satisfactory with minimal lace.
Smell was Euor Pils meets Oktoberfest.
Tastes as smells.
Mouthfeel is light body with medium-high carbonation.
Drinkability is higher than expected, a unique twist on and Oktoberfest. Good to try during the season if you grow tired of the "normal" Marzen style. NOTE - This is not a typical example of the style though, but I did enjoy it more than any other Warsteiner to date.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2009 15:00:56 | More by unclejimbay

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

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a soapy, white head and is quite "fizzy". Smell is decent, of a touch of caramel malt, a husky grain and almonds, possibly. Very smooth taste, a bit of a harsh "twang" at the end. I can taste the husky grain, not much on the caramel flavours. Very easy to drink. Highly carbonated. Really refreshing but not a top notch beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2009 21:35:51 | More by bigdeuce

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

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Only my 3rd Oktoberfest bier this season, and only 2nd to be reviewed. Comes in a 11.2 oz bottle with the familiar Warsteiner logo bavarianized. Best before June 2010.

Pours with a 2 finger head into my mug, half of which dissipates quickly and the other half takes a minute or two to go all the way down. The beer is crystal clear with a lighter amber/gold hue, certainly not the pale yellow people seem to be referring to.

Smells a bit like regular Warsteiner Verum, with a light sweetness that defines it as an Oktoberfest. The hops are very pilsener-like.

The taste follows the smell but it tastes more like a traditional Oktoberfest. THere is slight notes of the Warsteiner pilsener along with the Maerzen malts showcased in the finish. Hops and malt seem is in the right balance. It is a bit off the beaten path with its taste, but it is interesting and it works for me. The flavors aren't as full-bodied as other Oktoberfest brews but the alcohol is well hidden.

Overall it is a solid Oktoberfest, with nothing off-putting about it. It goes down smoothly and is easily a good choice for an Oktoberfest session. Not the first Oktoberfest I will grab but maybe closer to October 3rd this is what I would go for to break up the "monotony".

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2009 21:57:14 | More by crossovert

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

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

Pours a hazed orange-gold with a nice soapy white head that fades away, no lacing at all..

Smells of biscuity malts with a lemony twist, smells sort of like crackers.

Tastes like a grassy, bready and citrusy lager, not bad. My first octoberfest, hopefully they get much better than this!!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 23:50:33 | More by GodOfBeer

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

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

scoobybrew

Iowa

3.65/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was poured from the bottle into a pint glass. The label notes 'premium ale' and this review was based on kölsch standards, as I believe it fits most appropriately in this category. There's absolutely no märzen here and if that's what you expect - this will disappoint.

A - super clear, golden color with a thick head that settles a bit into a well retained collar

S - grainy malt with a touch of noble hops

T - balanced malt and hop character; finishes somewhat malty but not sweet

M - medium-light body, moderate carbonation

D - This is a very session-able beer. There are no strong flavors here, but what is here is done well. I found it very much like the original Warsteiner.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2009 00:06:35 | More by scoobybrew

MikeTaz

Pennsylvania

2.48/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I had this with lunch out and was not impressed. The best by date appeared to be Jun 10,2010 unless that was some other date. It wasn't labeled.

The color was much lighter than most Oktoberfests and the head was non existent.

There was a definite hoppy and citrus presence but none of the typical spices and maltiness I expected.

If you remember college and losing at Beiruit, how the beer you had to drink as a penalty always tasted worse and was hard to get down. Thats what this beer reminded me of.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 19:53:30 | More by MikeTaz

Rayek

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pale amber color with tiny carbonation bubbles. Small off-white head has OK retention. Leaves small bits of lace.

S: Sweet caramel and toffee with grass and pepper.

T: Pretty mild flavored for the style. Sweet malt up front has a caramel and toasted grain flavor. Bitterness is tart with a lemon quality. Finishes fairy dry with lingering toffee and lemon flavors.

M: Medium body feels a little slick and has the right amount of carbonation.

D: Not the best Oktoberfest around, but pretty decent. A fairly solid pickup in my book.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2009 04:22:31 | More by Rayek

PSUBeerman

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, pilsner glass

Pours a golden color, slightly lighter than most marzen brews. Head was decent, no lacing.

Classic Oktoberfest aroma, malty & sweet

Flavor was nice. Not much to speak of in the line of hops, nice and malty, but not too sweet (which is good for me). A little spice flavor. Overall a good flavor.

Although this was lighter bodied, it had some character to it. Refreshing and to me, a little different from other marzens. Worked for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 01:18:10 | More by PSUBeerman

titusgroan

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +29.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Second rewiew on BA so bear with me... I got a 12 of this at CentralMarket today - really like this, much more than I thought i would. Poured into tall glass - nice head with lots of small bubbles below - very lively carbonation. Head held for a little while then drops to small white ring round the edges. Smell is very pleasant and nice- smells like a nice fall day. The first beer i ever had was in Germany - in high school and this took me there. Also made me think of a beer garden in the early cool fall and made me want to sit outside the rest of the day.... Color is light light amber or darker yellow depending on light. First sip is great - very balanced malt and biscuit/yeasty flavor. Taste like an early fall day somehow. Very lively mouthfeel followed by something spicy or clove... lingers as well and is very pleasant. Another review said this beer was elegant and I would have to agree. This is exactly what i hoped for from a German Octoberfest beer. Thinking of it now - this is exactly what i wish more American beers would go for - simple and GOOD, very clean but lively at the same time- this is what Bud/Miller/Coors should taste like. This is a great beer for sitting in the back yard, enjoying the day and waiting of October to get here. Will get again - soon...

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2009 23:49:31 | More by titusgroan

DunkelFester

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've got to write this review, if for no other reason than to provide a counterpoint to some of the strangely negative reviews below.

Appearance: Brown longneck 330 mL bottle. Poured into a pilsner glass to highlight brilliant clarity, lighter in color than most 'export' versions of the style, but spot-on for the versions that one might actually find pouring in Munich. A touch darker than that of a munich helles, but still golden. Similar to festbier offerings from Hofbrau & Loewenbrau. A finger or so of white foam that fades quickly.

Smell: Clean german malts, a hint of alcohol. No discernable hop aroma - which is to be expected (not a flaw).

Taste: Balance, balance, and more balance - leans toward the malt, but is never cloying or overly 'sweet' (a la Paulaner). Hop bitterness is just enough. Clean, well-rounded german lager. No diacetyl, no harsh edges.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium body. Carbonation is just right. Even as it warms, it never goes flat - but, at the same time - is not overcarbonated.

Drinkability: I've had 3 so far this evening, and - if not for the alcohol and the fact that it's a Wednesday night - could very easily drink this all day long, a liter at a time.

Overall: There are some complaints posted by other reviewers stating that this is a beer that is 'just ordinary' and that it won't 'hold your attention'.

To those people I ask: WHY should 'deep thought' or 'lasting attention' be a prerequisite for beer intended for drinking for hours (or days) at a time at the largest beer festival on Earth? Some beers are - by design - intended to be consumed in larger quantities without deep thought. One's attention at oktoberfest should not be centered on the *complexity* of the beer in one's mug - but, rather, the experience and the comraderie.

That's not to say the beer should be bland (and this one is NOT) - just fresh, tasty, and enjoyable, with a distinctly 'german' flavor that few domestic brewers can duplicate.

As for being expensive? It retails stateside for ~ $24/cs. A buck a bottle is expensive? Since when?

This is the first time I've seen Oktoberfest from Warsteiner locally, and I'm really glad I picked it up. It strikes me as a surprisingly solid festbier at a more than reasonable price. If you want to wallow in the chewy toasted malt of an all-munich malt/caramunich brew, look elsewhere. But if you want an affordable, imported, sessionable festbier? This one is worth sampling.

$0.02

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2009 02:16:03 | More by DunkelFester