Oktoberfest - Capital Brewery

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber with orange and red highlights. The beer is capped by a beige colored crown that is medium-large in size and pillowy soft. It lasts longer than most, eventually falling to a thin film, and leaves little lace. The aroma is of sweetish malt with a slight hop presence.

The flavor profile consists of toasted bread and caramel-toffee, with a mild hop bitterness. There's a modest amount of spiciness, but it doesn't make much of a positive contribution. It all collapses a bit too quickly, leading to a short, dry finish. The mouthfeel isn't bad and could be considered slightly above average as well.

Capital Oktoberfest is a decent, drinkable version of the style, but doesn't leave a lasting impression. It isn't a beer that I'm interested in drinking a second time.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2004 23:21:04 | More by BuckeyeNation

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to BeerFMAndy for this brew. Poured into a pilsner glass.

Color is bright peach with a slight bit of copper. Not entirely transparent, though no visible haze particles. Initial head is a single finger and dies down pretty quickly into a bit of foam on top. Very mild lacing around the sides. Nose is some light, toasted malt that reminds me of a light amber ale. Some biscuit malt as well as some very mild earthy hops.

Taste is some light biscuit malt and a very mild amount of caramel and toffee. Pretty plain. There are some light earthy and floral characteristics in the background. Light creamy character. The feel is a bit light with moderate carbonation. This is a nice and simple beer without any flaws, though I wouldn't go out of my way to try it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 02:24:17 | More by Thorpe429

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A slightly hazy, but distinctly orange body is topped by a full head of frothy off-white foam that holds very well and leaves rings of cragged, sticky lace. The delicate nose offers some nice, subtly sweet toasted malt. It's full and dextrinous in the mouth with a fine, median carbonation that's crisp on the tongue. The flavor delivers a solid hop punch of bitterness amidst its lightly caramelish and toasted malt; and some background floral and spicy hops appear in the dry finish. A nicely done festbier that delivers a bit of hops as well as malt!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2003 23:26:28 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Whaddaya mean Oktoberfest season is over!? This one pours a clear amber topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises lightly buttery biscuit, orange zest, and sweet flowers. The taste holds notes of orange zest, caramel, light toast, and a bit of grass. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a slightly dry finish. Overall, a pretty nice little O-Fest, nothing crazy, but an eminently drinkable autumnal brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 06:02:56 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Off-white head, gone quickly. Amber/caramel color. Aroma:vegetal, herbal,spicy, earthy, pumpkins. Rich maltiness, nice sweet overtones, some tingly hops. A satisfactory Oktoberfest, very smooth and easy-drinking.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2002 14:29:08 | More by feloniousmonk

zeff80

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a very bubbly/fizzy, orange/amber color with a foamy, tan, small head. It left no lace.

S - It had smelled grassy and of biscuity roasted malt.

T - It tasted burnt maltiness with some subtle spices. Nice smooth caramel flavors increased as it continued to warm.

M - It was sharp and crisp. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a pretty solid Oktoberfest. Very easy drinking and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2009 01:56:51 | More by zeff80

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked up a single from Four Firkins. Bottle code 2338 translates to bottled on Aug 11, 2008. Appears a clear orange with a short white head.

Man, I thought these guys could do no wrong with the lagers, but this baby is sub-par. The aroma reminds me more of a strong Euro lager for the unpleasant lager tang smell. The flavor is a bit better and at least finishes with a pleasant, subtle hop bitter, but for the most part the malts come on too strong and hot. The end result is unpleasant and I hope whatever's going on with this beer gets fixed.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 21:20:02 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to eyncognito for this 12 oz bottle.

A: The bier is a beautiful copper color, translucent in spite of a chilly haze that blankets the glass. A finger of head, white in color, has left patches of lace behind.

S: The aroma is very sweet, almost to sweet. Bready grains have a grape and green apple scent that doesn't come across as particularly robust.

T: The oktoberfestbier is quite husky, loaded with treacly malts. The result is a creamed corn flavor that is almost too sugary to get through (I'll get through it though because I'm a trooper). A sweet raisin flavor, lighter than in Belgian style ales, runs rampant. A toasted element runs throughout, adding some depth to the sweetness. Bittering hops appear midway through but don't last for long. A little too sweet for my likes.

M: The malts have a fruity dryness that is too sweet at times. This one could really work if that aspect were toned down a bit.

D: The low alcohol is a big redeeming factor. There are other O-fests that I'd take first, but it were the only thing left in the fridge I wouldn't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 20:37:09 | More by akorsak

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in a glass dimple mug)

A- This beer has a crystal clear amber body with a good carbonation supporting a thin film of off-white head that soon pulls to a ring of foam.

S- The smell of light dry caramel malt has a nice fresh malt quality about it followed by a soft pine hop hint at the finish.

T- The dry lightly toasted malt flavor has some Munich malt notes with a soft twang to follow. There is a light nougat hint then a slightly sulfury noble hop finish. The sulfur note lingers for just a moment.

M- There is a medium-light mouthfeel with a crisp texture to this beer.

D- This beer has some nice malt flavors with a few off notes like the twang hint and the nougat that both start to grow as the beer warms a bit.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2008 21:18:26 | More by rhoadsrage

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -24%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear copper, with 1 ½ fingers of bright-white frothy head. The retention here sticks around with more of a thin layer of fizzy foam that leaves back some very light looking creamy lacing. This quickly slides down the sides of the glass. The aroma is a bit musty smelling, with a combo of raw earthy spice and what I can only describe as lager yeast character. Some softer and sticky feeling malts rounds out the back.

The taste is hop forward up front with an earthy and green bitterness. Malts and some softer citrus flavor sweeten the profile up some but hops quickly kick back in, giving this a gritty and spicy finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a crispness to it that bites the tongue and then spreads out across the palate into a more silky and creamy feel.

Bitter and harsh feeling at times with too much of yeasty presence as well, this O-Fest really left me disappointed. Especially considering the brewery that made it. Now I did like the body on this, as it at least kept things crisp and smooth but the profiles here just needed some cleaning up. Not sure if I just got an off bottle or what. I'd be willing to give this another go sometime down the road.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 20:29:57 | More by Kegatron

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This clear reddish brown brew throws out a nice long lasting thin off white head. Nice bready, yeasty, malty aroma. Nice biscuit tones on the tongue as well as toasted malt. Very clean tasting. Very little to no caramel malt sweetness is noted. Some slight hop bitterness is apparant. Medium bodied and very drinkable. I'm in anticipation of some nice 50 degree autumn days to enjoy these fine O-fest beers. Another solid lager from Capital.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2002 20:39:35 | More by Bighuge

HopHead84

California

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed on 9/29/2009 and poured into a pint glass. Thanks for the extra, eyncognito. The beer is transparent amber with a one finger beige head and decent retention.

The nose has a substantial amount of toasted and bready notes. Hops are almost nonexistent in those, imparting a faint earthiness. No alcohol is noticeable. This is really focused on rich toasted malt.

The flavor opens up with toasted biscuity malt, and that continues throughout. Sweetness and bitterness are both at a low moderate level. A touch of alcohol is noticeable.

The beer is medium bodied with medium carbonaton and a creamy and smooth mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2009 07:27:07 | More by HopHead84

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I found this in the fridge at the Fromagination in Madison.

A: Copper with an off-white head, very little retention, hints of lace.

S: Caramel, brown sugar, grainy malt and a light spicing.

T: Caramel, grainy breadyness, a little toast & biscuity malt, nice spicing, balanced bitterness.

M: Moderate body has a little residual sugar like a true marzen.

D: Very approachable, though I'm not personally fond of the residual sweetness.

It's a good new-world brew, but I prefer the malt & hops in the fatherland.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2008 01:16:46 | More by Derek

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Now we're getting somewhere. Part of the Capital "Summer Sampler", this is a really good seasonal. Dark amber with decent lace. Nice honey and nutty aroma. Tastes kind of like a Marzen with a malt flavor and light caramel finish. I will look for this one next summer.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2002 15:10:43 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Here it is in August and the Oktoberfest has already hit the shelves, along with four others that were on the same shelf. Out the those, this was the only one I haven't had. A little early if ya ask me, but oh well, here we go - Clear ambery-brownish color with a small off-white foamy head that fades, little spots of lace. Smell is a roasty sweet malt with a touch of herbal like hops and earthyness coming through. Taste is subdued roasted malts with some sweetness and slight tang coming through mostly, a touch of herbal qualities show up near the finish along with a balancing sweetness. Feel is a bit lighter then expected, even while drinking it in 85 degree heat, it is however, very smooth and easy for good drinkin'.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2003 18:15:15 | More by tavernjef

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Good head and a deep amber with only a few bubbles.The aroma is a sweet, inviing malty grain. The taste is even more sweet. Grainy, very light and offsetting hops. Just great, sessionable, malt bomb. Wodl have given drinkability a "5", but it was just a little too sweet to be exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 20:53:17 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

9/3/02-Orange color with a little white lace..pretty clear and clean looking..excellent toasty nose....medium-to-fuller bodied for an Octoberfest...nice malt sweetness...toasted malt flavored....with just a slight hint of hops to balance the sweetness....A very nice Octoberfest...well done beer by an excellent brewery..

re-rate 10/26/02..dropped some scores slightly..bodies feels thinner than I first thought...also some alcohol on the nose in spots....tasty, and very good but not as good as my early scores..

re-rate 9/10/04..not one of my favorite Capital brews...not that it is bad or anything but it seems to fall short of the other O-fests I've had this year (Summit, Sprecher, and SA to some extent)...tastes almost like an ale...a cloudy look....nice malty flavor but almost a bit thin in comparison to the others...worth a 6-pack a year but that's it.

re-rate 9/6/05-Same cloudy appearance..almost a sour candy apple type finish...one of their worst products and one of the worst o-fests I've had...average is being kind

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2002 22:06:16 | More by ZAP

dirtylou

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz single bought at Woodman's in Madison

appearance: pours a thick copper with a rather thick layer of bubbly white head...zero lacing

smell: rather fruity, almost like apple cider (the real stuff not the woodchuck shit). very sweet malts, very autumnal aroma

taste: fruity sweet malts, heavy on the apple, light caramel (lighter than normal), a sweet bready taste is also dominant

mouthfeel: thin body, dry finish

drinkability: i wish i had bought more than 1, good thing this stuff is abundant

all in all, this oktoberfest pushes the boundaries, definately a bit more fruit dominated than some others. I enjoyed it and will probably grab some more in the coming weeks

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2005 23:43:15 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber colored, leaning towards orange. Crystal clear with steady moderate carbonation. Thin white head recedes to virtually nothing.
Toasty and sweet malt aromas. Hops are noticed, but just faintly.
Toasted malts make themselves known off the bat, then begin to mingle with sweet, fruity malt tones. Good amount of toffee. A swift kick of spicy hops pollishes this one off.
A firm medium bodied brew. Gets a little sticky and syrupy at times, but generally full and crisp.
A pretty solid Oktoberfest all around.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2002 11:11:46 | More by cokes

Tone

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, amber color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and slight lacing. Smells of slight roasted malt, sweet malt, hops, and yeast. Fits the style of a Marzen/Oktoberfest. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of hops, yeast, and sweet malt. Overall, a decent oktoberfest with a good blend.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2009 03:03:57 | More by Tone

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.3/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one as an extra from eyncognito in a recent trade. Thanks, Ian!

The pour is an attractive amber with a dense off-white head with excellent retention. The clarity is great, and plenty of carbonation is visible

The nose is rich and malty, with a bready, doughy character with a fruity component that's raisin-like. A little plum is also noticeable. Earthy hops, with a dusty smell are also noticeable. Solid.

The palate opens with plenty of sweetness, more than I care for. Bready and sweet with sugar, brown sugar and fruit character (plums and raisins). The finish is a semi-dry, with a mild bitterness . Hop character is a bit lower than it need be, and the malt sweetness is overdone. Medium in body with high carbonation and a sweetish finish that's not the best. While I have no problems drinking this, I hoped for more from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 18:33:51 | More by DefenCorps

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a pilsner glass.
5.5% ABV, jumbled code printed on neck.

A - Capital's Oktoberfest is a fantastic looking clear and bubbly dark caramel amber color with pumpkin orange highlights. An effervescent but short-lived off-white head popped up and went back down to a thin layer leaving no lace behind.

S - With little head, it's hard to get anything from the timid aroma without a vigorous swirl. Bready malts carry toast notes along side a sweet, caramelized hint and a crisp, mildly hoppy finish. As the beer warms, candied nuts enter the changing profile on the finish.

T - Capital's Oktoberfest has a malty sweet burst across the tongue that's reminiscent of a dense, thick-cut slice of wheat bread drizzled with caramel and honey. Gracefully changing to a dry and hoppy finish, it's not bitter, instead, lightly floral and nicely balancing.

M - Smooth and medium-full bodied, this malty Oktoberfest has a crisp, dry finish from the hops, balancing out the sweetness that lingers on the tongue.

O - Oktoberfest is another damn deliciously malty lager from Capital. Toasted Vienna malt and understated, balancing hops give the beer a tasty, classic flavor that could go down by the liter. The aroma gets lost from the poor head retention, but this one makes up for it in flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 22:54:51 | More by BeerFMAndy

alexgash

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a golden copper with a thick, light-khaki head.
Smells of sweet cookie dough, caramel, spicy hops. Not overly aromatic.
Taste starts off with sweet bread and caramel malts. Light nutty toastiness follows through the palate and then the spicy hops come in. Finish is mildly bitter with lingering doughy sweetness. Medium-bodied, coats mouth nicely. One of the better Oktoberfests I’ve had this fall (but I like Autumnal Fire heaps more).

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2004 17:52:41 | More by alexgash

Vancer

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Clear amber pour into my freebie Sammy glass - capped with a nice ivory head. Not much in the way of lacing.

Spicy raw cut of hops and resinous vine in the aroma, quaff is a bit on the thin side without a major flavor player and the body also is a bit weak. Seems to be a decent octo brew, just in need of a stronger hop finish. Good for a couple to try, but I'll stick with the local Missouri Octos in the future.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2008 00:17:09 | More by Vancer

kmpitz2

Tennessee

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. This one is deep copper in color with a light island of head and a full ring around the top. Clarity is fantastic and there are just a small number of bubbles in the beer. This is a solid looker. The aroma is toasty with a dough sweetness that is accented with honey sweetness. I could use a little less of the sweetnes and more boldness in the toasted and dough character. The first sip brings mild toast with some caramel sweetness. This fades to a very mild spicy hop finish that just hints at bitter on the side of my tongue. The brew is moderate with a moderate carbonation. It has good body and more carbonation than I expected from the weak head off the pour. Overall impressions of this one are positive. This is a brew I could easily sit and consume all night. Very solid.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 21:40:32 | More by kmpitz2