Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

armiakhe

Michigan

3.81/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

This beer in appearance was a light brown and i thought it was very good overall. The smell just smelled like fall with hints of cinnamon and possibly nutmeg in it. I think this would be a great beer for the fall time although i drank it in the spring time.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 05:23:58 | More by armiakhe

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +39.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Another pleasurable addition to The CANQuest (TM) and one that I {think that I} picked up at The Foodery (Northern Liberties). I have been a Leinie's fan ever since my visit to Hoos Warner in Madison, WI back in the spring of 1992. I know that they have really expanded their lineup of beers since then and the fact that they are CANning them makes it a double-plus bonus for me. Someday, I hope to relocate to the midwest, but for now, I am satiated by their beers.

From the CAN: "The Pride of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin since 1867."; "Carefully brewed by the Leinenkugel Family for five generations"; "The flavor of Fall with Munich, Pale & Caramel Malts and Four Specialty Hops".

I employed a Crack & Inverted Glug to get things started and it produced a finger of dense, tawny head as a result. Color was a deep coppery-amber with NE-quality clarity and loads of CO2 bubbles in evidence. Nose had a honey-like lager sweetness along with a breadiness, initially, and warming, I began to perceive the caramel. Mouthfeel was medium, but there was a pronounced effervescence due to all of the carbonation noted earlier. Taste was sweet, but not cloying, and I really liked the way that the malts interacted so that it had a sweetish, bready flavor initially and then took on a sweeter caramel taste on the finish. I also noted a slight grassiness, perhaps Hallertau hops? Fall seasonal? Hell, it's a "German-style Marzen" and it's damn close to March as it stands. I would like to see this released more often and if not, stash some away for late winter. It is just that good.

Serving type: can

02-14-2013 16:39:19 | More by woodychandler

Evansbeer

3.83/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

Very good Oktoberfest brew. Reminds me of holiday in Munich. Very festive tasting beer, with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon with a slightly citrus bite. I would recommend it to those who cannot handle real German beer that has a high ABV. Perfect for beginners in the world of Oktoberfest brews

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 17:26:19 | More by Evansbeer

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Looks like a solid session. High carbonation with foam and, especially, lacing. Pale brown in color.

Smell: Faint pineapple along with faint lightly toasted nuts.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Well-balanced bitterness and sweetness, but very generic. Some apple and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is actually quite crisp and enjoyable.

Overall Drinkability: A middle of the road beer. Easy to drink a bunch with no problem.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 03:13:43 | More by tjsdomer2

mfnmbvp

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle, bought as part of the Leinenkugel's Autumn sampler pack. Bottle says to enjoy by January 07, 2013 so I am only a couple days late on this one, but I was waiting for my sinuses to clear so I can actually smell and taste the beer. And the 12 pack was only $5.99 from my local beer store, you sure as hell can't beat that.

A - Non-aggressive pour into a Boulevard tulip glass yields virtually no head whatsoever. One of the most copper colored beers I've ever seen. Steady bubbles rushing to the top.

S - Pale malts is really the only thing I am getting out of this one. Slightly bubblegum smelling. Reminds me of other German style märzens / Oktoberfest beers I've had, or even slightly akin to the Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale.

T - Not as bad as some people make it out to be. Very dry and malty with maybe the vaguest bit of cinnamon and other Halloween spices added to the mix. Aftertaste is again kind of bubblegummy.

M - Clean and smooth mouthfeel. Doesn't stick around, no resinous piney hops, no spice lingerance. The only thing that is left is a hint of the bubblegum malts.

Overall, this isn't a terrible brew. Leinenkugel's isn't exactly top notch stuff in my book, but grabbing yourself one of their seasonal variety packs usually works out in your favor. Not my favorite autumn beer at all, but with a moderate 5.10% abv it is easy sippin, and definitely drinkable. This is my first beer review under the newly remodeled rating system, and to keep things on an even keel I am probably just going to stick with rating my beers as I did on the old scale before the .75 or .25 option was available, for now anyway.

Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 23:39:19 | More by mfnmbvp

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

2.58/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, pours a copper color with a short loose off white head that dissipates quickly leaving little lacing, clear

S: light yeasty bread quality, caramel malt, odd citrus note, not much going on

T: on the sweeter side with a little spice, mostly just malty water

M: medium bodied, light carbonation

O: pass on this one, there are much better Marzens out there, drinkable but unimpressive

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 01:11:42 | More by M_C_Hampton

Naaberle

2.6/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this beer on tap at a chain restaurant. Not sure how long it sat before I received it but it was still quite cold.

A: Medium orange amber with a lace of foam on top, no thick head.

S: Smelt slightly metallic and bread-like.

T: Minimal bitterness which was a plus, but had a metallic taste to go with the smell. Had to work pretty hard to get any deep flavor out of it. Slight nuttiness emerged halfway through as it warmed.

M: Watery, but had a nice quick finish with no lingering after taste. Also very dry finish.

O: Mild beer with subtle flavors. Would try again, but not go out of my way to acquire.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 04:51:58 | More by Naaberle

Amish_Ambush

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

First Reviewed 10/14/2008

Appearance: Dark Orange. Small head. Laces nicely.

Smell: Biscuit, slight orange pulp. Malt

Taste/Mouthfeel: A bit watery and lacking body. There are some enjoyable orange and malt notes but I have to work to bring them out.

Drinkability: There are better Oktoberfest out there but this would do in a pinch.

Notes: There are better Oktoberfest out there. Not a bad offering. Just an average one.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 00:54:53 | More by Amish_Ambush

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a translucent red with a small white head. Smells of some grain, but not much at all. Beer has some caramely and slight chocolate notes in the dark roasted malt, but tastes watered down. Beer is carbonated fine and goes down really well, definitely sessionable. Overall, an average beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 03:03:48 | More by cyclonece09

vickersspitfire

Texas

3.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a nice dark golden brown color that’s crystal clear and filled with mild carbonation. Its topped off with a nice thick off white head that sticks around for a while. Its got some really good lacing, the aroma is a bit on the light side with hints of pumpkin, wheat and mild hops. Some grass and herbal smells come through from time to time. Crisp on the tongue at first, it mellows out as it spreads throughout your mouth, it has some nice wheat flavors, mild grass notes when you swallow but that’s all I get fro it. It is light bodied but good overall.

Serving type: can

11-10-2012 19:13:53 | More by vickersspitfire

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

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

Oktoberfest pours a pretty clear golden color, with a very lite head. There is a slight malty aroma. There is a crisp light malty taste. Not to watery a bit lighter, a little carbonated. Overall its a pretty solid Marzen, a bit lighter but still rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 04:44:17 | More by vette2006c5r

smakawhat

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A real nice classic red amber/brown body and crystal clear. Some very faint rising carbonation you really have to look though. Head makes a simple light tan and fluffy four fingers in size, some decent retention to this. Looks inviting, and looks like an Oktoberfest, pretty solid.

Nose has a little big of grass malt and caramel. Clean, not much sweetness, kind of neutral smell. Definitely senses like a Marzen, so far so good.

Palate hits with a somewhat wet and light body. All the aspects for a marzen seem to be here but are toned down. Light bodied caramel sensations, faint toasty grain. Slight quenching finish and mild hard to find bitter with a slightly grass aftertaste. The majority of the palate is in the front and not in the aftertaste interestingly. Slightly palate coating.

Overall this comes off as just a simple Marzen, but it's easy drinking and I could drink this again without discomfort no problem.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 17:53:28 | More by smakawhat

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3.13/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours very clear amber with a monster white head. Leaves great lacing.

S - Munich and caramel malt, adjunct.

T - Malt up front followed by some very slight adjunct. Sour, metallic finish.

M - Light, Creamy body with almost no carbonation.

O - There were hundreds of these at my local foodtown in large metal bins, all for $1 a can.it's a simple, straight forward beer and great for the price. I'd have another for a dollar

Serving type: can

10-28-2012 03:56:55 | More by SometimesIfart

BeerDocT

Georgia

2.45/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Served in a chilled tulip glass.

-Appearance 3.0: Poured out a non-spectacular amber, with a CO2 1/2 inch head that quickly disappeared. Lots of the ol' CO2 carbo bubbles swirling around this beer.

-Smell 3.5: Better than average bouquet. Light caramel and malt.

-Taste 2.0: Front is slightly sour with some malt hints. Middle is almost gone; very little taste of anything, but there is some slight maltiness. Finish has a very subdued caramel taste and some nice malt flavor. Aftertaste is short and dry, but I can detect some hops. After a few drinks of this brew, a very unpleasant dryness coated my mouth. Makes me wonder what is up with this beer.

-Mouthfeel 2.0: Appropriate carbonation for this type of beer, but the unpleasant, artificial dryness dropped this grade down.

-Overall 2.5: An average beer. I would not go out and try to track this down, but this is certainly not the worst beer you will ever drink. It is "maerzen-esque," but if there are other Oktoberfest options available, I would exercise them first, especially if you want to avoid the weird dryness in your mouth. Bleargh.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 02:17:25 | More by BeerDocT

MichialTanner1

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My expectations of this beer were on par with my other experiences with Leinenkugel's brews--average, at best.

It probably didn't help that I had the privilege of consuming the excellent Damnation from Russian River just before this. After experiencing RR's obvious effort to be the best, it is disappointing that some brewery's goal is simply "drinkable".

To satisfy the usual critique: Poured from a bottle into a regular pint glass; color was typical for the style, amber and you could read the label of the bottle through the liquid; smell from the glass was the same as the little bit I spilled upon my shirt about half-way through. Taste was typical for the style, but definitely worsened as it warmed (why would a good beer be allowed to warm, anyway?).

Consensus is that drinking this beer is only marginally better than not drinking at all.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 03:17:45 | More by MichialTanner1

TheDinger

South Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into pint glass. Pours a light to medium amber with a 1 finger of off white head that fades quickly. Nose is of bready malts and some mild spices, nothing significant. Taste follows the nose with some of the bread and light spice profile. Minimal hops and nothing that stands out. Fairly unremarkable in terms of taste, just average with no strong malts, spices or hops. Feel is thin and watery with a lower end of carbonation. Overall- This was just okay. A bit disappointing considering I'm a fan of the Sunset Wheat. Would drink another if offered, but not going out to buy any soon. Needs something to make it stand out. Very basic-

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 19:56:42 | More by TheDinger

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest has a thin-to-medium, cream-colored head, a clear, amber appearance, some streaming bubbles, and a good amount of lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of sweet, toasted barley malt. Taste is of the same, with a light hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, semi-dry, and highly drinkable. This paired well with the deluxe breakfast platter. I rate it very good.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 12:57:48 | More by RonaldTheriot

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Consumed directly out of the can

The smell of the beer is grainy and otherwise indistinguishable from and american adjunct. The taste is a bit better. Its very grainy, a lot of grassy, wheat, herbal grains. The beer is in my opinion better then an adjunct lager but its really not much different. Same lager yeast taste, same plain grainy taste, same sugary caramel feel and taste. But it is still and upgrade and gives me just one more reason to question the sanity of the people still buying the big branded beers.

Serving type: can

10-15-2012 01:07:26 | More by TwelveOunces

stewart124

Ohio

2.78/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours an orange/amber with little lace to speak of.

Some bread in the nose but nothing that stands out.

Crisp refreshing taste but not the Oktoberfest first malt bomb that one would expect . Missing that chewy malt profile that I look forward to.

Not too much to hit on here. Almost touching on amber lager here. I'm not upset. Just disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 02:22:04 | More by stewart124

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - clear amber color with an orange tint. Big layer of foamy white head that quickly disappears and leaves no lacing.

S - Not a big aroma of anything. Malty, nutty, slightly astringent.

T - Semi sweet, malty, light bodied with a dry aftertaste.

O - This seems like Oktoberfest Light. Decent not great. I'd drink one again if put in front of me, but wouldn't go out of my way to buy a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 21:20:19 | More by andrewjraab

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.18/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This Octoberfest presents itself as it should, a dark orange coloring with a light carbonated head. The taste is sweet with a faint malt flavor that compliments the scent I caught. Overall a slightly above average entry in the Fall/Octoberfest genre.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 02:32:23 | More by KYGunner

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a light amber with an off-white head - some retention.

Smells of carbonation, bitter herb, and caramel malts.

Taste a slight crisp bitterness followed by a caramel sweetness backed by rich roasted malt - subtle in the background. Finishes with lingering sweet caramel notes which makes it a little cloying. This has some good flavor, but falls short of some of the other options.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 23:14:52 | More by Chickenhawk9932

barczar

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a brilliant light amber color with a one inch ecru head that dissipates in big bubbled, leaving moderate lacing.

Aroma is fairly grainy, with caramel malt sweetness and buttery, nutty, toffee tones adding complexity. There's a bit of alcohol evident.

Flavor is predominantly nutty initially, becoming slightly fruity/estery, and ending with herbal, tea-like hops. Grain forms the backbone, with toasted, bready malt and a hint of caramel sweetness taking a backseat.

Body is on the light side, with fairly high carbonation. There's a bit of grain astringency and alcohol warmth.

Overall, a malt-forward brew with some slight flaws that add more flavor than the malt characteristics. Drinkable, but not a favorite.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 02:25:04 | More by barczar

willmc

Oklahoma

2.58/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Again with leinenkugel, pretty simple. Some spice on the nose, and unfortunately it doesnt go beyond that. Taste is malty and plain, even a little watery. There is some slight fall like flavor on the finish and dry. Wish I could say it gets better, but it don't.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 04:44:31 | More by willmc

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +42.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a Leinenkugel's imperial Pint.
5.1% ABV, DEC0312 printed on the neck.

A - The delicious caramel-amber colored beer is instantly inviting and foreshadows the upcoming fall season and the changing of the leaves. Crystal clear and bubbly, the beautiful and radiant body is topped by a crown of just-slightly-off-white foam. Tall to start, it's got great retention with a thick collar of lacing.

S - An initial 6-row pale malt grainy aroma subsides quickly to a much more pleasing toasted Vienna-like malt nose. Munich and caramel malts add some underlying sweetness to the dry aroma, but it's boldly earthy. Dry leaves, grass clippings, and a bit of spice from the hops all give this beer a pleasing, balanced scent.

T - Impeccable balance in the taste, the maltiness really takes a moment of reflection to unfold. It starts with bready, flaky KFC-like biscuit and adds on a dab of honey sweetness and toast for something that goes beyond the harsh grainy aroma into specialty grain depth. Hops finish out with a light spice and herbal lingering finish which quickly suggests German noble hops.

M - While many other American breweries load their Oktoberfest with rich maltiness, Leinenkugel's gets what this beer is all about; drinkability. Leinie's Oktoberfest is a medium-light bodied Oktoberfest with high carbonation and a dry, crisp finish, complete with some mild, desired bitterness!

O - From the appearance to the finish, Leinenkugel's sexy-looking beer nails the great drinkability for the style with a well balanced and nicely malty brew that screams to be consumed in large quantities. While others might be a richer fall treat, this beer takes up quite a bit of room in my fridge each fall because it's often the Oktoberfest I want to reach for.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 22:40:44 | More by BeerFMAndy