Point Oktoberfest - Stevens Point Brewery

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.93/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dried apricot orange with tangerine and amber highlights when backlit with sunshine. Atop the crystal clear liquid can be seen two fingers of whipped frothiness that is a little short on character. Thin sheets of lace decorate less than half the glass.

The nose is woefully short on power. So much so that I might not have been able to identify the correct style if blinded. A little toastiness and... that's about it. Maybe warming will help.

Although Point Oktoberfest is no go-getter, it has more flavor than aroma. It wouldn't take much. This brewery tends to brew simple, inexpensive beer that is anywhere from slightly below average to slightly above average. This offering is no exception.

All the classic flavors are present and accounted for, though they don't make a memorable impression. Vienna malt provides the usual (and extremely subtle in this case) toasted-earthy-nuttiness. Hallertau hops provide a modicum of balancing bitterness and an herbal sort of vibe that comes on with a wee bit more gusto at the finish.

The mouthfeel is midway between a 'light Oktoberfest' and a typical member of the style. Its best feature is a slightly slick, lagery smoothness that appears as the beer approaches room temperature. More heft is needed for a higher score.

To get right to the Point, Oktoberfest is stunningly average. I'm sure many of the locals are happy, but anyone interested in good-great Wisconsin beer (and there's plenty of it) should steer clear of Stevens Point Brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2009 13:56:56 | More by BuckeyeNation

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle - $1.29 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a clear, orange-amber body with a finger or two of off-white suds. A few glass-clinging smears of lace on the descent.

Smell: Sweetish nose, primarily bready, but with some toasty and nutty accents to it and a far-off hint of light caramel syrup. Herbal, spicy, earthy Noble hops.

Taste: Maltiness tasting of ever so slight toasted bread brushed with a coating of sugary caramel. Lightly nutty. Faint fruitiness. Spicy, earthy German hops with ample supporting bitterness. The initial, light nuttiness grows a bit as you near the drying, reasonably crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Drinkability: A standard, simple, but easy-drinking O-fest (at a decent price) to kick-start the weekend.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2010 19:26:47 | More by ChainGangGuy

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a flared pokal at Bliss.

Another new O-Fest, courtesy of the most recent Bliss tasting. It pours a clear golden amber topped by a finger of dirty light tan foam. The nose comprises light caramel, white bread, light grass, cracked wheat, and a very light touch of clove. It's pretty bready in my nose right now. The taste follows pretty closely, though the breadiness is toned down a bit, the caramel is slightly sweeter, and there's now a small amount of orange-centered citrus. There's still a good amount of wheat in there, keeping things lighter than usual. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta watery feel. Overall, a decent O-Fest, one that's lighter, thinner, and grainier than most.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 05:51:19 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.65/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear amber orange in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high beige head that died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are light aromas of sweet caramel malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has some malty sweetness with flavors of caramel malts and notes of toasted malts. No bitterness is detectable, but they help the malty nature of this beer from becoming too sweet.
M: It feels medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This would probably be a nice beer to drink outside during the Oktoberfest when it's a little chilly outside because it seems a little maltier and fuller bodied compared to other beers in the style. I liked the sweetness, especially since it wasn't overdone.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 20:28:59 | More by metter98

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, orange/amber color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left minimal lacing.

S - It smelled floral and malty. Not much going on here.

T - It actually had a spicy hop bite up front with some bready maltiness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and fairly smooth. A light to medium bodied lager.

O - This is an okay oktoberfest. Fairly typical brew from Point - a nice gateway beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 05:07:55 | More by zeff80

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not bad pours a clear amber caramel hue with a nice off white head fine speckled lacing all around my glass. Aroma has a spicy noble hop tone with some toasted caramel malts backbone, pleasant smell. Flavor has a nice spicy caramel malt backbone, has a bit of a sour flavor to the malts but it actually works here. Mouthfeel is light but not thin carbonation not perfectly natural but not overdone. This is a good value Ofest from Stevens Point I really haven't had a beer I enjoy from them yet, now I can say I have.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 16:07:39 | More by WVbeergeek

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The head was active on the surface, with a feverish display of micro bubbly explosions that quickly eroded its initial 1 finger statue to a distant memory within seconds after the pour. Against lighting a pumpkin orange coloring is revealed with a spacious separation of effervesce. The lacing was weak on the hold. Would of enjoyed a more marzen/amber coloring and a sturdier head.

S: Sweet toasted caramel syrup appears on the opening nose along with moist orange peels and some sugary cereal grain. The strength was about right, maybe a bit more so then usual but personally prefer a toasted munich or Vienna malting along with some noble hops.

T: Really sweet upfront, loaded with sweet caramel syrup and sugary cereal grains with mentions of wet lemony hops. Flowery noble hops do manage to find their way within midway through the experience taming and balancing the initial sweetness. The beer progresses nicely with each sip. On the finish lied some wet lemony moments and some herbal parsley gently coating the tongue upon the swallow.

M: Sharp feel, light body with an oily texture. Nice bubbly sensation but lacked a malt fulfillment and creaminess. Overall decent.

D: After an initial sugary shock and start the beer does manage to level out and become more traditional in taste providing some light toasty malts and flowery hops. I can go for a couple of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2010 22:47:43 | More by beerthulhu

avalon07

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a golden brown color and a clear consistency. There was a quarter inch of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Almost no lacing.

S: Not much of an aroma, but there were traces of malt and something sugary.

T: Tasted of malt and caramel up front but finished in a weak, watery way. Not a terrible flavor, but definitely uneven.

M: An average amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Light-bodied.

D: Not undrinkable, but hardly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 12:09:56 | More by avalon07

ZAP

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice drinkable Oktoberfest.

Pours a deep, regal gold....nice white head on top...nice clarity

The aroma is toasted malts drizzled with caramel. I really like the way this smells. Some bready notes too. Remind me a little of hacker-Pschorr or Paulaner Ofests on the aroma..

Nice toasty maltiness on the taste....a hint of caramel and breadiness....hops are minimal but seem to lend a dryness to the finish.

Medium bodied...a little sweet but finishes drier..

Boy I am surprised I like this so much. Not as big or full bodied or full flavored as some American made ofests but this seems closer to the German brands I have had. Very enjoyable and the price was right too (6.99 a sixer)

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2009 05:35:48 | More by ZAP

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a Hofbraü maaskrug.
5.15% ABV, number on neck.

A - Crystal clear and light amber, the cool beer forms a chill haze on the maaskrug mug that's filled to the brim with off-white foam. Slowly crumbling away, the loose bubbles leave some spotty lace on the pint.

S - Plenty of carbonation brings the aroma forwards while the dense head traps it. This Oktoberfest has Munich and Vienna malt written all over it with it's toast and grainy maltiness. Hops are absent save for their balance.

T - Munich and Vienna malt provide a good toast and bready sweetness that lingers throughout the dry beer. Faint noble hops add just a pinch of herbal notes on the finish.

M - Clean, crisp, and dry, Point's Oktoberfest is a medium-light bodied session beer that finishes with a light bite of carbonation and almost demands to be drank in liters.

O - Perfectly accompanying the onset of fall with it's toasted malt flavors, Point's Oktoberfest is an easy drinking beer that would be comfortably in both the hands of a back yard relaxer, or loud, fun festival-goer. In both places, this beer is smooth and delicious with an understated complexity.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 23:16:20 | More by BeerFMAndy

KarlHungus

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer pours a clear bronze-amber color. The head is one inch in height and recedes slowly into nice lacing. The aroma is quite malty. Strong notes of caramel and toffee, but not much else. The taste is like the aroma. It isn't bad, but it isn't captivating the way a good marzen can be. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with nice carbonation. Overall, there is nothing wrong with this beer, but it is rather mundane for the style. I could drink it again, but I don't see myself doing so.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2008 00:41:05 | More by KarlHungus

morimech

Minnesota

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

Pours a clear copper with a very large white head that quickly disipates leaving a little lacing at the top of the glass as it departs. Almost a solid cap remains but not quite.

I smell the caramel malt and just a hint of floral hops.

The beer is true to style but otherwise unremarkable in flavor. Slightly sweet malt with just a bit of hops to clean it up. An easy drinking if a slightly thin beer with good carbonation. A solid effort but I can't really see myself seeking this beer out next fall.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2007 00:12:26 | More by morimech

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hmmmm, something new from Point. $5.45/6-pack, can't beat that.
Pleasant enough malty aroma. Not quite toasty, but beyond pale malt. Just a hint of the familiar aroma of Point Special (same yeast maybe?).
Crystal clear. Nice orangish amber. Darker head of 1/2 inch that disappeared quick rapidly to a thin scummy head (I mean that in a good way).
Nice flavor the seems quite on for style. Malty, not exceedingly rich, yet heavy and bold enough. Good toastiness. Some mild bitterness, that seems as much from the malt than the hops. Finishes with some sweetness, mild bitterness and fairly long dryness, for style.
Carbonation makes it heavy, although the feel is beyond thin. Bubbles can be a bit prickly, yet also provide nice foamy softness.
This is pretty darn close to right on. Richness in this style often gets to me in time, nonetheless a good drinkable lager.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2007 02:36:19 | More by garymuchow

Redrover

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I just returned from a visit to Stevens Point and this new offering was everywhere I went.

At the Hilltop on hwy 10, the beer is served in a standard pint, the beer is copper colored with an off-white clingy head.

The nose is if of caramel & malts.

The taste is slightly sweet and nutty. The malts add a nice roasted quality to the beer. It has just a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. This is definitely one of the newer lighter O-fests, but it is well done with no off or odd tastes.

The mouth is pleasantly sturdy with enough heft to add some substance. This is an easy drinker that goes well with food.

Well done Point!

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2007 21:33:38 | More by Redrover

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz twist off brown bottle.

The appearance for this one is a dead ringer for a Shiner Oktoberfest, It is orange/amber in color, perhaps a bit lighter with a crappy fizzy white head that dissipates in about 10 seconds.

The smell on this oen is decent for an oktoberfest, there is a soapy scent hat is kind of off putting, but overall it is a clean smelling version of the style. It doesn't bring a ton of maerzen character but enough.

This one is also unnofensive int he flavor, though im picking up some diacetyl. It is nutty, caramally, with a sourdough character. It isn't too sweet like a lot of midrange oktoberfests. There is a light hop bitterness, nothing offensive, but nothing flattering.

The mouthfeel seems a bit weak, but it is nice and drinkable.

A middle of the road oktoberfest form a brewery known for brewing some crap.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2010 02:08:13 | More by crossovert

Bierguy5

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle. Lighter amber color with an orange hue. White rocky head holds well for a couple minutes. Good clarity.

Bready malt, and slightly toasty in the nose. Malt is backed up by some earthy, and slightly grassy hops.

Flavor is much like the nose, slightly toasted, bready malt. This has a bit more sweetness than others in the style. Finishes with some earthy hops to balance things. Maybe just a slight sour-ish edge.

Medium body. Carbonation is smooth, giving it a very soft feel. Alcohol hidden. This is a pretty drinkable, good marzen. Not outstanding, but pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 23:16:42 | More by Bierguy5

Bung

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz. Bright orange/gold pour, about a finger of white head. Appears like a large amount of carbonation's in there.

Aroma is pretty nice and malty, bready. Some yellow raisin, citrus.

Taste is also malty, caramel and a citrus tart that cuts through. Finishes a little wishy washy, cardboard, tea.

Carbonation is just a bit too high here. Not aweful, but it is too lively. Otherwise there are no problems drinking this, other than I would probably not reach for another.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 01:14:59 | More by Bung

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From fall brew tasting notes (2010): Pours a crystal clear, golden-orange-copper colored body with a finger-width, frothy, white head that dissipates quickly and leaves a moderate lacing throughout. Aroma is some sweeter caramels with a light grainy toast. A hint of earth, honey, nuts, and bread. Flavor is solid. Caramels, a light grain, honey, toffee, bread, some nuts, a light toast, and florals. Finishes with a light, balancing earth that helps dry this out before leaving a light bitterness and a medium-length aftertaste. Very smooth, light-medium body and soft, moderate carbonation. Overall, a decent Oktoberfest.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 21:33:33 | More by CuriousMonk

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out clear, gold-amber hues, loud and fizzy carbonation and a creamy 2" cap of foam. Rushing, spazed-out bubbles that creates a hearty with a creamy topped look and some lace.

A dark wheat, herbal-edge and malty aroma. Creamy semi-sweet malt aroma, mild chocolate, earthy herbs and musty-dry hops and yeast blend together well.

A very clean, jazzy medium-bodied feel with a nice malty complexity, semi-sweet and smooth malt effect balanced with a very nice herbal, earthy yeast, dry hops and many subtle undertones of smoke and herbs. Nice balance.

I hate to think of October in late August, but this one is rushing in the season!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 22:25:41 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

david131

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- A clear orange liquid with a few streams of carbonation rising to the top. The head is very light and splotchy and settles to be almost non-existent.

S- Apple juice, and a bit of a floral aspect. Pretty generic smelling, but not too bad.

T- Sweet caramel and fruits. Enjoyable.

M- Clean with a decent carbonation bite.

D- An enjoyable take on the style, although they are beginning to taste pretty similar. The sweetness keeps this unique enough.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2010 02:15:16 | More by david131

david18

New York

3.85/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a half liter of this at House of Brews in midtown Manhattan. It was surprisingly good. Lighter in body than a typical Oktoberfest it was still malty and very flavorful. Good marzen color, nice aroma and very easy to drink. I enjoyed it very much and will get it again if i see it anywhere.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2010 20:15:34 | More by david18

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Clear and orange, head and lacing ain't bad but ain't spectacular either.

Malty with bready character and some of the typical Octoberfest aromas you'd expect. OK but not memorable.

Taste is malty, plenty of sweet doughy breads, with some spices and a little bit of fruitiness.

Body is crisp and refreshing with ample carbonation. Not bad at all, very easy to drink.

As far as Octoberfest beers go, it's good, but it's nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 23:27:18 | More by AlCaponeJunior

jasonjlewis

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pretty nice oktoberfest, I got it as an extra in a trade with David Eddie.

Pours a great initiial head with decent retation that stays most of the way down the glass, but disappears on the bottom 1/6th.

Smell is sugary with caramel malting. Hops are faint in the backround with some grape and cooked corn.

Taste is sweet upfront. I don't mind it, but it could manage to do with a little less sweetness. Caramel malts come out in the forefront balanced by a decent, yet relatively low hop bitterness. This beer might be a little sweet for some, but I don't mind it too much. As the beer warms, the sweetness becomes a tiny bit too apparent.

Mouthfeel is fairly decent. The carbonation is nice on the beer which makes it smooth and it clings very well to the palate.

This is a decent oktoberfest. I had to slow down to take good notes on it, I was drinking it too fast.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 07:16:43 | More by jasonjlewis

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

3.15/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Another Oktoberfest beer hot fresh from the brewery. Well as fresh as my local store could get it. Poured into my glass the beer is bright clear golden brown hue. It looks alot like apple juice. The aroma isn't very strong. What is there is sweet and a tad malty. It actually has a fruity hint to the nose. The flavor is about as muted as the aroma. Slightly malty some yeasty breadiness, almost no hop bite at all. Sweet and dry on the tongue for sure. Medium body with little carbonation. Overall it's not offensive but, not exactly memorable either.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2009 00:03:30 | More by beerwolf77

DCon

Missouri

4/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ the Wolf Public House in Ballwin, MO for $3 (normally $6 but employee discount was counted in). Tapped from the AWESOME handle with a Cone Head raising his Litre for a cheers & is blue/white checkered into a 16oz Pint Glass.

Aroma- Has a nice light malt, corn-like aroma from the beginning. Seems like a clean lager is going to be the primary taste and while this is a weaker aroma, appropriate for the style.

Appearance- Pours a 1 finger head that stays for decent time. Has a copper body that is clear and is similar to apple juice. Has tons of lacing!

Flavor- Has a nice malty beginning of the drink and then a bit of corn again like the aroma. Malty and just like a lager but then a very dry finish. I could see myself having this at the Kerwe!

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium bodied, Medium Carbonation, Smooth, Refreshing, and has a nice clean finish!

Overall Impression- This is one of my favorite Oktoberfest brews of this season yet! Very smooth, clean, and while not many attributes come with this one, the style doesn't allow for this anyways. Next time I see this, I will be grabbing my Litre and filling up more than this time around!

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2011 16:53:03 | More by DCon