Samuel Adams "Octoberfest"
Boston Beer Company
Marzen/Oktoberfest/5.70% ABV
12 Pack/Bottles = $15.99
=$1.33 Ea.
Date Of Review = 10-6-09
Taken from the Sam Adams website:
The first thing you notice when pouring a glass of this seasonal beer is the color. Samuel AdamsŪ Octoberfest has a rich, deep golden amber hue which itself is reflective of the season. Samuel AdamsŪ Octoberfest is a malt lover's dream, masterfully blending together five roasts of barley to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The beer is kept from being overly sweet by the elegant bitterness imparted by the German Noble hops. Samuel AdamsŪ Octoberfest provides a wonderful transition from the lighter beers of summer to the winter's heartier brews.
Wow, is this a "wine" beer? Sam Adams "Octoberfest" smells good, looks great with a nice amber/reddish hue when poured, but tastes, well....not that great. I mean, it's not horrible, but there is something not quite right, and others have noticed it as well. A friend at work mentioned that out of several six packs he has drank, they all tasted different. Hmmm. The downside to this mysterious "wine" taste is on the finish, as it's almost like an overload of malt. A slightly sweetness mixed with some sour is the best way to put it. Rather odd to have such an inconsistency from a brewer like Sam Adams, but it is what it is. I'll finish off my twelve pack, but I won't really like it.
Verdict: Very disappointing, maybe just a bad batch?