Great Lakes Oktoberfest - Great Lakes Brewing Company

weizenbob

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was a surprisingly difficult beer to track down in my neck of the woods this year. This 12 ounce bottle purchased at Shop-N-Save in Benzonia ($9.99/6-pack). Best before 10/12/11 (reviewed 10/6/11). The label implies that this beer is brewed according to the German Reinheitsgebot, which is neat trivia if nothing else. It was poured into a pilsner glass.

A careful pour yields two fingers of fluffy head that is nearly white in color. Head retention is moderate. Lacing is not happening. The beer's color rests between caramel and walnut, and is highly translucent. A pleasant amount of carbonation can be seen in ascension through the glass. It doesn't look fancy, but it looks good.

This beer is a malty affair with an aroma that is reminiscent of fall. Call me crazy, but the first thing I pick up in the nose is a pumpkin-like scent. Sweetness ensues with aromas of caramel and toffee. A mild alcoholic scent is present. The strong aromatics are noted without having to bring the glass close to the nose.

The flavor profile does the aroma justice. This Oktoberfest bier is sweet and malty. It is biscuity with a small amount of buttery diacetyl that actually accentuates the malt nicely. The abundant residual sweetness exhibits prominent notes of caramel and molasses. Alcohol is part of the flavor profile in a way that balances well with the malt. Hopping is such that there is little if any notable bitterness. It's an easy-drinker for sure.

This beer is medium bodied, with a moderately high level of carbonation that makes the brew appear lighter than it actually is. As far as traditional seasonal lagers go, I generally prefer Maibocks to Octoberfests, but this beer, though not spectacular, is easy to like. It is colorful, flavorful and at 6.5% ABV, moderately alcoholic. Above all, it is easy drinking. I can't speak for its authenticity, but I can say that Great Lakes Oktoberfest is my pick of the American-brewed Octoberfest family.

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The Two-Schlitz Scale: (reference my profile for an explanation)
I give two Schlitz for this well-done lager. Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 22:08:23 | More by weizenbob

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