Octoberfest - Central Waters Brewing Company

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a Kasteel goblet glass

Appearance- À clear orange color with a half finger of fizzy white heads that basically dissipates completely.

Smell- Lots of bread malts with a slight tart hop.

Taste- Lots of malts including bread and a rice like malt with some orange zest and bitter hops on the finish. Balances very nicely.

Mouthfeel- On the lighter side of medium but definitly not watery. A very easy drinking Marzen.

Overall- A greatly balanced Oktoberfest that is tasty and easy on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 03:39:07 | More by BrownAleMale

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a ruby/copper pour with a finger of creme colored head, visible carbonation and good retention.
not getting much aroma from this beer... a slight hint of citrus, slight bready notes and that's about it.
a somewhat tart citrus flavor, lightly bitter, very malty.
light/medium body with high carbonation. crisp and refreshing.

nothing all that impressive. i was honestly expecting way more from this brewery after tasting their peruvian morning and bourbon barrel stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 02:30:45 | More by facundoCNB

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a coppery amber with good clarity but a flash head that dies back to a scattered raft of floating bubbles in a minute, leaving no lacing behind. Light body and refreshing texture, medium carbonation strength, sessionable.

Smells of caramel, toffee, nuts, and toasted malts as a Marzen should. The flavor reflects this but also has some nice leafy herbal and earthy hop tones as garnishes. My main complaint is that the beer overall seems too muted and restrained for it's own good. Some gentle amplification overall would be nice, especially to the thinner than typical toasted nut aspects.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 05:04:52 | More by WastingFreetime

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Very sweet looking Oktoberfest. It has a 1/2 inch of head atop of a golden amber beer and some bubbly carbonation bubbles rising from the bottom to boot!

S - A nice kick German style I get strong toasted malts and almond with a caramel malts sweetness and an underlining hop profile.

T - Very good taste the hops come and go but the star of this beer is the toasted grain profile next to the caramel like malt sweetness. No skunky taste here and it's so smooth!

M - Great beer it is medium bodied and chewy but goes down like water. Tasty stuff.

Overall much better than the Imperial stout this beer was worth the mixed six price. Try it now! DO IT!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 00:15:24 | More by DrDemento456

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into pint glass.

Appearance: Golden orange bodied beer with 1 full finger of head. locing is fairely spotty.

Smell: solid nose. nothing mindblowing. Mildly sweet malts and that nice hefty grain smell to it that I love from this beer style. Just a good smelling oktoberfest beer all around.

Taste: Really nice malt profile on this beer. A touch of malt sweetness. Nice toasted grain flavor. A touch of spicy hops that dont add much bitterness.

Mouthfeel: light end of a medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Nice crisp and clean mouthfeel that lets ya know this is a well made lager.

Overall: This is a nice oktoberfest beer from Central Waters! This beer does a great job of representing its respective style very well; it has no frills and is all business. Its not New Glarus Staghorn, but Staghorn is the BEST Oktoberfest beer that is brewed within this beer style in my opinion! You surely wont be dissapointed if you buy a 6 pack of this beer because your in the mood for a great oktoberfest beer. It will deliver! Good seasonal offering by Central Waters!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 07:33:25 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

chanokokoro

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured inot a glass mug

Pours a orangish amber with an off-white one and a half finger head that dissipates fairly quickly. Caramel, toffee, and biscuit aromas on the nose. Opens with light sweet caramel, malty almond and toffee notes midpalates combine with mild earthy and grassy hops on the finish. Well carbonated smooth heavy light to very light medium bodied. A solid marzen and a tasty choice for the Octoberfest season.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 02:42:58 | More by chanokokoro

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic.
Bottled on July notched on label.

A - Central Waters Octoberfest pours a bright pumpkin orange color which lacks any sort of visible carbonation. A moderately retained cream-colored head leaves some delicate, patchy lacing on the pint but the thin skim left over allows the aroma to escape easily.

S - Right off the bat the aroma is a bit disheartening. Some odd thin fruity notes emerge but more importantly, there's this light vegetal raw potato smell throwing the clean lager expectations off. Toasty Vienna malt undertones and Munich sweetness capture the bready essence of what's usually going on while the beer finishes with an earthy hop smoothness.

T - The flavor abandons the raw potato vegetal aspect in trade for a dirty mineral water overtone that is only slightly better than the faint artificial strawberry fruitiness which overlaps the malts. Behind what's off here is a good malt base with nice bread, toast, and lingering sweetness for the building blocks to a good Oktoberfest.

M - Central Water's Octoberfest has a faint level of carbonation that seems to slip by unnoticed, though definitely flat feeling. Very smooth from start to finish, the only hinderance comes in with it's dry, lingering earthy and mineral finish which seems to stem directly from the flavor.

O - I love my homeboys at Central Waters. There are beers they do wonderfully, and some they don't quite excel at. This Octoberfest would fall into the latter category with it's uncharacteristic fruit and general "dirtiness" that keeps the beer from truly feeling like a crisp, clean, drinkable fall beer. It's not beyond saving though, because the malt base shows great promise.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 23:12:41 | More by BeerFMAndy

emerge077

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Single dropped into a tulip. Crystalline amber orange with a bunch of racing carbonation. Tight cap of velvety off-white foam on the surface. Creamy surface texture. After awhile the head dissipates into a floating island of skim and a ring at the edges.

Soft bready aroma, nothing too out of the ordinary. Malt driven with a tiny bit of dried fruit esters, husky nutty grains.

Feel is smooth, mellow feel with a slight bite and more dried fruit in the end. Mellow bready grains upfront, balanced and not too sweet or bitter. Toasted grain husks and nuts. Easy drinking by the liter...

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 23:24:07 | More by emerge077

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Golden straw in color, moderate cap of head. Scent is mild but breaddy with light sweetness and faint citrus rind, splash of fresh dried grain. Taste leads with freshly dried grain, backed by bready notes, finishes with faint citrus rind and floral hops. Medium bodied, good moderate carbonation. Nice beer all around, not as aggressive as some others in style, but more balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 17:55:18 | More by rfgetz

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I am admittedly a sucker for Central Waters beers although I have always that their regular and/or seasonal beers aren't as good as some of their specialty brews. The Octoberfest tasted very familiar because I think it is very similar to a lot of other brewery's takes on this style. Because of that, I wouldn't take my chances doing a blind taste test on this one hoping to pick it out over other Octoberfest beers but I would buy it again just because I do like to support Central Waters.

The taste was what I think an Octoberfest should be. It was very malty and a little more hearty especially after being used to lighter, summer beers. It was also easy drinking though and although I don't know what the abv is, it is low enough that this could be a good session beer.

Finally, something else I like about Octoberfest beers is that extra heartiness reminds you that the excellent stouts, porters and barleywines of winter will soon be upon us!

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:46:05 | More by mjpolzin

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.65/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle tried 26 Oct 2011. Courtesy of R&S, thank you! Served in the 0.3 L Spaten dimpled mug.

Medium sized tan head. Medium carbonation. Clear bright amber in color. Moderately malty aroma, caramel, mineral, sweet. Starts with some lightly toasted malts. Touch of nuttiness. Lightly sweet and bready. Medium to light body, moderate ethanol. A touch of mineral throughout. Lingering malty mineral aftertaste.

Would be good to have a few of these on a cool fall day.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 04:30:17 | More by htomsirveaux

robbyc1

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a snifter, this was a clear off orange look. Nice disapating head.

Not much on the nose, taste of slight malty goodness, a bit watery, hops support the dryness to give a balanced taste, but not overpowering or very memorable. Average for the style, the thinness took away from everything else, I think I'll stick with their other specials, this one is just average.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 20:00:56 | More by robbyc1

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

I think this'll finally be my last late O-Fest of this year... It pours a clear copper-amber topped by a finger or so of cream-white foam. The nose comprises light toffee, grass, and sweet flowers. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a nice bite of orange zest tossed in there for good measure. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a nearly dry finish. Overall, a solid, if not-wholly-memorable, traditional O-Fest. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 00:57:55 | More by TMoney2591

samie85

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Pours a clear copper color with two fingers of white head.

S-Smells of spicy, herbal hop notes with some bready and caramel notes.

T-Bready malt with a bit of fruitiness and some herbal hops on the finish.

M-Slick with low carbonation and a medium body.

D-This is a decent example with the exception of the fruity taste I picked up in the flavor profile; its not to style and sticks out in a bad way.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 02:02:22 | More by samie85

chicagobill13

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +37%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Fall and winter beer do change every year unless it comes from on of the mass produce companys, which is not a bad thing either. This one kind of takes pride with it. It says it on the label.

Color: nice amber color just like every other fall octoberfest beers.

Smeell: Not much smell but it is what it is. I can't smell very well.

Taste and Mouth: This beer taste like sitting arond a camp fire and getting graham cracks, mushroms, and chocalate. I really love this taste.

Overall: This beer just became my favorite fall beer and favorite from this brewery just far. I had their Shine On, Red Ale, Puppy Porter, Stout, IPA, etc. I really love this brewery. CHeers!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 00:30:22 | More by chicagobill13

knepper

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Malt bomb - yum. I thought this was the best Oktoberfest beers around Wisconsin this year. A deep orange hue with a clean malt aroma. Taste is bready, full of melanoidans and a slight spice from the noble hops. It's full but not filling, unlike this year's Staghorn which was thin and slightly less tasty. A perfect i'm-watching-football-eating-brats beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 15:54:35 | More by knepper

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A) It's a nice looking copper color. There was a half finger of head. The head dissolved pretty quickly, lacing was minimal.

S) Not strong in aroma, but pleasing. It's clean, with malt upfront. A little sweetness, touch of hops and light spice.

T) Lightly roasted malt and grain. A nice earthy quality. There's some bready sweetness. Nicely balanced flavors.

M) Medium/light body, well carbonated. A slightly dry finish, but ultimately this is really smooth.

O) Really enjoyed this beer. One of the better Oktoberfests I've had so far this fall. Central Waters has some pretty good brews, and if you haven't tried anything by this brewer yet, you should check them out. Tastes even better when your team is winning on Sunday.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 01:32:23 | More by RoamingGnome

Brunite

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: A nice orange/amber color with a tan head.

S: Hmmmm,...not much going on. Very faint hints of malt sweetness. Some hop notes.

T: Average. It follows the smell. Pretty bland.

M: Medium body....adequate carb.

O: Dissapointed. Was hoping for more. Just an average beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 03:24:25 | More by Brunite

Arbitrator

California

2.8/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Chilled bottle into a glass. A generous extra from boatshoes. Thanks, Fletcher!

A: Pours a hazy, translucent orange-copper body capped with a short-lived off-white foam. It does not leave any curtains or lace during sips.

S: Toasted grain, bread, apple cider, and nuts. Very pleasant.

T: A rustic, apple cider and multi-grain bread flavor. It is somewhat weak in flavor, on the watery side (I suppose that's a mouthfeel complaint).

M: Watery in flavor when cold. I let it warm up and it remained watery. Weak in flavor.

D: Hmmm... Disappointing. I guess I was hoping this would be as awesome as Staghorn.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 02:46:58 | More by Arbitrator

mactrail

California

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

Pleasant sipping but some odd flavors for the style.

Color is a beautiful coppery amber, always a nice hue for a beer. Malt is quite modest. Seems to be missing the pleasing malty richness that I hope for in a Marzen German style. Just a hint of sweet malt, but there is an odd sourish taste. Not so noticeable after half a bottle. A hint of hops that seems appropriate and well balanced given the unassuming malt.

These Oktoberfest beers can be really good, but this one seems a little insipid and more sharp than mellow. Quite drinkable if you think of it as a lager with some malt taste.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 02:05:16 | More by mactrail

Wisconsinality

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a stein.

A- Pours a nice orange copper that is pretty translucent. A decent finger worth of head that recedes quickly and leaves no lacing on the glass.

S- Nice sweet malts up front, a little bit of hops and a touch of cinnamon. A little bit of graham cracker on the tail end. Nothing too complex here.

T- The malt really shines through here like in the nose. Not overly sweet with a small hint of roastiness. A little bit of wheat and a creamy after taste. Also a little bit of a fruitiness in there as well.

M- Just about right for the style. Medium bodied that has nice carbonation but feels smooth on the tongue.

D- It's a marzen so it was meant to be drank in succession. Good flavors and a nice balance matched with a great mouth feel makes this another solid beer from Paul and Central Waters.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 17:08:48 | More by Wisconsinality

ZAP

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Tan colored...a little too much haziness for my liking

S-Malty aroma...toasted malts...

T-I love the toasted maltiness of this....reminds me of the old Sammy ofest of a few years back in flavor...

M-Medium bodied....creamy texture..

D-A very enjoyable ofest with the toasted maltiness I really enjoy..

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 04:34:25 | More by ZAP

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Central Waters Oktoberfest

Hazy orange coloration, slim head.

Aroma: dry, cereal grain husks, minor hops,

Taste: pleasantly sweet, malty flavor. Bright, and tasty. Nicely carbonated, Medium bodied, great malt profile.

Doesn't stand out to much, impress in any regard, except how danged delicious it is. And delicious, it is.
Ends a little dry, but stays tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 09:01:19 | More by feloniousmonk

gatornation

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours an amber color with a beige frothy head..smell is malts,toast caramel notes some vienna lager smells ..taste is kinda bland..its light on all the tastes that make a marzen good malts roasted malts sweey caramel all light..mouth feel is kinda creamy no problem drinking this ..its just not one i will reach for next year

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 22:12:23 | More by gatornation

crossovert

Wisconsin

2.7/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz brown bottle. Im not sure on the dare.

It is either an old bottle or a fairly unfiltered lager as it pours a decent brownish orange with a bunch of floaties. The head is foamy and white.

There is a decent amount of herbal hoppiness in the smell a keen candy/caramel smell, and some toastiness.

The flavor has some oxidized fruit and caramel, it is basic, perhaps a bit on the sweet side.

Not the best ofest, but I think it is an old bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 21:37:29 | More by crossovert