Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier - Löwenbräu AG

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

At the Senator's lounge in Munchen airport and i'm trying the Lowenbrau Oktoberfest beer. It poured a pure golden yellow with thin white head that is not lacing. The scent has grain and a touch of maize. The taste is a bit brutal...the 6% being very prominent and does not make this beer an easy session....in my opinion. THe mouthfeel is light to medium in body with good carbonation. Overall I prefer a standard Euro lager to this.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2012 07:33:13 | More by WoodBrew

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

1.25/5  rDev -65.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Very clear, pale, straw yellow colour with a bubbly white head that is about a thumbs width tall and stays pretty well.

Awful smelling, definitely one of the worst smelling German beer I have ever know. It is sour with some grassy hops and a smell that reminds me of urine.

Some light grassy hops and and an sour, citrus like taste. There is a very off-putting skunky bitterness to the beer too, this was is almost undrinkable.

Light bodied and with medium carbonation, the palate is fine but it is a major shame about the taste.

One of the worst beers I have ever tried. At first I thought the beer might be off but there was still a good 8 months left before the best before date; maybe it's just a shit beer.

My 1001 Beers Blog:
http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 00:06:04 | More by flyingpig

doktorhops

Australia

4.33/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It's October, and you know what that means? Beer retailers selling a vast range of Marzens... oh yeah and a heap of sweaty Lederhosen wearing Bavarian men celebrating in the best way possible - drinking Masskrug's full to the brim with awesome German beers.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a sweet 500ml Lowenbrau glass which I'll cherish all the more so because my (real) surname means "lion" and Lowenbrau is literally "lion brew", aka "my beer dammit!".

A: Clear golden body with a boisterous white head - that's Marzen country right there!

S: Dry grass hop aromas blend well with a powerful malt grain base. We know exactly what to expect here; a nice dry Helles lager. Also to note: the hops are very fresh in this brew and the aroma balance is perfect for a lager.

T: Alright! This is one damn good Marzen! Straight away you're hit with a strong grain base, sweet grains front to mid and a nice dry grassy hop finish - this is a spot on thirst quencher right here. There is a mild sour yeast tang in the middle. What an excellent representation of the classic Helles style.

M: The body is medium and cloys a little like honey. The carbonation is lower than expected but this isn't necessarily a bad thing in my books.

D: Would easily buy a case of this if I could... damn you Oktoberfest! Why can't you be a year-round event!? As it is Marzen only comes around once a year in these parts [that's why they call it a "Marzen" Dok - Marzen is German for "March"]. If I could find a fault with this beer maybe it's a little on the sweet side, however it is a 6% ABV lager and you've got to hide that alcohol somewhere. A top brew, highly recommended.

Food match: German food and German brews are a match made in heaven (or Nirvana if you're a Buddhist). We already know that. So what other cuisines would this match with? Given the sweetness this beer would make a good pairing with a sweet and mild Thai curry like a Massaman chicken with coconut rice.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 12:26:52 | More by doktorhops

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Half litre bottle, clear colour. Fairly pale. Like most Märzens it didn't retain the head very well. Smelled slight saaz but mainly red cabbage. Tasted an initial sweetness that gave way to a spicey aftertaste. Nice on the palate. Not my favourite but a nice oktoberfest beer that I would drink a few of and revisit next year.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 14:29:13 | More by jonb5

stjaernstoft

Sweden

1.8/5  rDev -50.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier, ABV: 6.1%.
500 ml bottle, 19.90 SEK at Systembolaget.

A: This beer pours a clear, pale, weak, golden liquid, and shows a big white, airy head.

S: A less than pleasing sourness hits the nose immediately, and I get malty aromas, with notes of bread, citrus, hay, yeast and some wet paper.

T: Malty flavours, citric notes, with sour, doughy bread, and a chemical bitterness. All-in-all it's kind of off-putting.

M: Average in most ways, a medium-sized body, but a sticky texture and no fresh crisp.

O: Why? This is pretty bad. Perhaps there was something wrong with my bottle (I have my doubts since I've seen the other ratings) - but if not: For shame! This is not a worthy Oktoberfestbier from a brewery based in Munich. Still I think: What do I know? I'm not a Bavarian ompa ompa enthusiast.

(Notes from yesterday.)

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 10:18:00 | More by stjaernstoft

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Oktoberfest beer review, even though it's still summer.
Smell has some sweet fruityness, but mainly it's very like a lager/pilsner.
Taste also, with a whiff of alcohol. Soft funky bitterness in the aftertaste.
Overall, it's mostly like you'll expect: a lot like euro lager. I guess Saaz hops, and either watery or refreshing, depending on the amount of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 14:22:44 | More by RuudJH

eric5bellies

Australia

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank form my Erdinger Weizen glass.

A - Pours a clear Golden colour with large bubbled White head that dies quickly, but does lace.

S - Aromas of citris and a little fresh cut grass

T - A little yeats on the start, with citrus to follow, little sour on the finish.

M - Medium to light body and over medium carbonation

O - Not a bad take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 04:20:12 | More by eric5bellies

xylophonica

Australia

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 50cl bottle into a Paulaner Oktoberfest mug.

A - Delicate golden colour with a mild head.

S - Sweet herbs and wheat.

T - Mild & subtle on the palate but with a malty coating.

M - Slightly bitter at first but low carbonation leaves the mouth feeling fairly relaxed.

D - Interesting enough to want to keep drinking!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 10:29:20 | More by xylophonica

dasenebler

Maine

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

.5L, Germany, 6.1% ABV.

Bright gold with impeccable clarity. Tight, creamy head. Good lacing.

The nose is lacking, but not off-putting. Grainy, with a bit of minerality and skunky hops.

Sweet and bready with a moderate bitterness that builds up on the palate. Finishes clean with some pretty good spicy hop flavor on the back of the palate. Some alcohol flavor, but not too solvent-like. Soft carbonation is a plus, and the medium-light body was just right.

This is a good Oktoberfest. Quite drinkable, or süffig, as the Germans would say. Nice kick, too.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 20:38:47 | More by dasenebler

VsXsV

Sweden

3.13/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

0.5 l bottled from Systembolaget. Pours quite a large, frothy head. Very light colour and a bit of fizz. The aroma is pleasant but not very interesting. It is malty as in bready but there's some floral hops as well. The taste begins sweet and a little sour (yeasty) and ends more bitter. Very pilsner-like. There's is some carbonation in the beer, but most of all it doesn't hide the alcohol very well. I could clearly sense some alcohol in the finishing of the taste. The after-taste is not that long.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2010 18:36:32 | More by VsXsV

rarbring

Sweden

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer is golden crystal clear, a big white head that recedes rather quickly, but leaves good lacing.

The smell is grassy and citric, a fresh lemon grass feeling, mixed with a hint of nettles.

A sweet bread start, fresh lemon and apple sourness, a nice aroma hop finish. A slight alcohol presence.

Medium carbonation, rather uncomplex but well balanced body.

Not bad, the alcohol felt keeps the drinkability grade down.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2010 16:37:51 | More by rarbring

joemacpherson

Utah

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Oktoberfestbier 2010.

The profile of this beer encourages one to drink much and be merry. It is a typical Octoberfest lager from the Bayern region of southern Deutschland.

It is light gold with a nice frothy head that dissipates rather quickly.

It smells of rich malt and light hints of sour fruit/apple, a bit acidic even.

A lot of flavor. A mouth full of sweet bready malts and a bit fruity with a tinge of alcoholic spice.

Feels full and round, the carbonation is just perfect for the style.

Could drink many steins of this beer. (and in fact will)

A great tasting beer that is super! drinkable. It is a bit too sweet for my taste. I can really taste the extra bit of alcohol, which is for me not so desirable. But I suppose that extra 1% is what helps makes Octoberfest a joyous event. :)

Prost!

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2010 19:31:06 | More by joemacpherson

StJamesGate

New York

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours bright pale gold with puffy, lacy pure white head, like whipped cream. Nose is mowed hay and lemon. Fresh bread malts with citrus zest and earthy spice hops to finish. Amazingly round and creamy on the palate. Slight peppery alcohol burn.

Fresh and tasty lager - couldn't ask for more.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2009 19:13:50 | More by StJamesGate

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden with a large, rich white head that stays for a long time before it dissipates leaving great lacings.

S: Bready. Malt and floral hops togheter with some citric notes.

T: Bready. Sweet malt togheter with citric notes and a nice blend of both floral and bitter hops.
Very refreshing.

M: The longlasting aftertaste is both dry and sweet at the same time, but there is a dominance of bitterness. Medium body and carbonation.

D: A very nice Oktoberfestbier. Well balanced - both sweet and bitter at the same time. Probably the best Oktoberfestbier I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2009 19:45:44 | More by Sunnanek

TommyW

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Crystal clear. Yellow, only slightly golden. Much lighter in color than most Oktoberfest beers. Initial inch high head has decent retention and fades to a lasting ring. Leaves a decent lacing as well.

S- Sweet malts.

T- Lots of sweet malt start the taste off. Then a nice hopps character comes in. Finishes with another touch of sweetness. The hopps have a little more prominence than in many Oktoberfest biers, which gives this beers a nice balanced taste.

M- Medium body and cardonation. Only slightly syrupy.

D- Highly drinkable due to the very well-balanced nature of matls of hopps.

Overall, I based this review on a bottle that I had, but I also had this beer at the Wies'n. It was much better (fresher) when I had it there. None the less, I would still recommend the bottles.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2008 17:12:26 | More by TommyW

JohnfromDublin

Ireland

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I tasted this 50cl bottle on 03.10.2008 Best by 09.2009, purchase in a branch of ALDi, Ireland, cost €1.99. ABV listed as 6.1%

It poured a crystal clear light amber brew with a reasonable white fluffy head that dissapated fairly quickly. Not much lacing left on the glass.

The smell was a subdued slightly fruity hops aroma.

Well balanced brew with a decent 'bite' to it. It rises above the mediocre with a citrusy element to it, slightly syrupy mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2008 13:32:28 | More by JohnfromDublin

TKempe

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear golden color with very fine and slow-moving carbonation and a small head make up the appearance.

This beer finds a proper balance between the grainy sweetness of the malt and a slightly pungent or musty herbal quality from the hops. Very delicate fruity notes and a toasty accent are coming through as well. In the taste malt sweetness is a bit too strong and monotonous, but backed perfectly by the beer's firm body and pleasant carbonation. The finish is hoppy and introduces a very pleasing after-taste that is hoppy and biscuity dry.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2008 16:15:02 | More by TKempe

Ljunkan

Sweden

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice golden color with a large foamy head.

The smell is very average lager-like. Slightly of malt, but not much else to find there except some bread.

The taste is malty, clean, pretty sweet, slightly bready. It actually got a good "maltyness". The bitterness is there, but could be more prominent, but on the other hand that's maybe not the intention of a oktoberfest beer.

The mouthfeel is okay. Carbonation is'nt that high, which is a plus.

Drinkability is good; you can drink this in large quantites if you like. Goes down easy. Sometimes it's the right time for this kind of beers too.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2008 15:04:46 | More by Ljunkan

Bananaman

Sweden

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Really good Oktoberfestbier from Löwenbräu. I'm not a big fan of their ordinary lager beer, but this is really nice.

Nice clear golden color with a nice big white head that lasts almost to the last drops. Very ordinary except for the nice head.

Smell is not very flattering, just some malty sweetness.

Taste is pretty powerful, a big maltiness with some nice hint of fruits. The bitternes is pretty low, but enough to balance the sweet maltiness. The finish is dry and very refreshing, very good!

So, lets begin the october beer session 2008!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2008 19:14:40 | More by Bananaman

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - 50cl bottle poured aggressively into seidel 4 finger creamy solid head, excellent retention with great lacing. Body is a pale, helles like blonde.

S - a little musty, some fiine malty notes, no hop bite.

T - Malty breadiness is nice upfront, faint hop dryness in the finish, but this is quickly covered by malty caramel again.

M - Medium carbonation, medium body.

D - Very quaffable, nice malty sweet notes, but not overly so it becomes syrupy, a fine sessionable brew. a great marzen!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2008 22:02:37 | More by seanyfo

BarryNL

Netherlands

3.7/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Filtered clear, pale straw colour. Pours with a big head which fades but leaves some foam on top.

S: Big malty nose. Quite clean with little complexity.

T: Malt, malt and more malt. Low hops, perhaps could use a little more hop flavour to balance, but good Oktoberfest style malt dominant taste.

M: Big fluffy mouthfeel that comes with the big malt bill in this beer.

D: Becomes a little too sweet as it warms. Not really balanced enough to keep drinking but nice now and then.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 20:40:24 | More by BarryNL

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle to a pint glass the liquid is straw yellow with good carbonation. the head is 2 fingers, white and leaves some lace.

The smell is big and bready with lots of hops.

The taste follows, a bit more bready malt then the old style was good for and not enough of the good roasty, caramel stuff. Too bad.

The mouthfeel is big thick and sticky, some ok carbonation.

The drinkability is good, Just not the way I like the style but still a good and drinkable brew. Prosit, MK

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 16:59:54 | More by MuenchenerKindl

decom

Brazil

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at the local Oktoberfest, back in my hometown (Blumenau, Brazil).
I didn't pour it, and the only option was to have it on a plastic cup. (yeah, not that great).
In spite of this, quite a drinkable beer. Mouthfeel is very good, not watered down at all. It' was the first oktobefestbier I've ever had, so I didn't know what to expect. Maybe it reminded me too much of a german pilsener, and I guess it was expecting something different.
A good call, and very drinkable, but way too expensive (cost the equivalent to almost U$ 4,00, for a 500ml bottle).

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2007 11:59:14 | More by decom

thierrynantes

France

3.6/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pale lager (non-marzen), oktoberfest style
Appearence :
Smell : Vanilla, spice and hop aroma
Taste : sweet taste with pepper and malt
Mouthfeel : bitter finish
Drinkability : beer with good hop character (draught and bottle version)

Thierry (13/10/2007)

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2007 19:48:48 | More by thierrynantes

TheSarge

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I went to a German restaurant in Heidelberg that had this beer on their regular menu as a Maerzen, so I assume this is the same Oktoberfest beer.

Anyhow, I ordered this up on a one liter stein, and came out to me with about a finger thick light head, but stuck around for quite a while. The body was dark amber and quite filtered.

The aromas were a bit lacking. I could barely detect and certain characteristics. Maybe a slight bit of malt biscuit aroma.

The taste was that of dark bread. The traditional German bauernbrot comes to my mind.

This is a good session beer though. There is not much thought required when drinking this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2007 09:03:12 | More by TheSarge