94 Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 6.3% ABV (11/11)
Old gold color. Aromas of honeyed baguette, peppery hops, dried fruit with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a rich, tangy, seamless earthy, lettuce-like hop finish. A brilliant, elegant märzen.
93 Volksfestbier, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/10)
Golden amber color. Integrated aromas of salty deviled egg, tortilla chip, and dried citrus with a seamlessly carbonation dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, honeyed apple and nut-accented finish. A delicious, appetizing fest beer.
92 Oktoberfest Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Rich amber color. Aromas of peach danish and orange marmalade on toast follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with custard notes. Finishes with a long, interplay of sweet citrus pastry and grassy earthy hop notes. Excellent style and drinkability.
92 Oktoberfest, Lake Superior Brewing (MN). 5.96% ABV (11/09)
Pure copper color. Fruity caramel yogurt and raisin toast aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with sweet roasted grain and toasted pastry notes in fine balance. Finishes with a long, citrusy, earthy, grassy hop-accented fade. A delicious version of Oktoberfest that will work great on the holiday table.
92 Oktoberfest, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5% ABV (11/10)
Pale amber color. Aromas of lemon bread, salted nuts, and orange jelly with a crisp, vibrant and frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a nicely astringent nutskin, honey, and citrusy, earthy hop smack.
92 Voll-Damm Doble Malta Marzenbier, Damm Brewery (Spain). 7.2% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color with a high head. Aromas of soufflé, pepper bread and orange cake with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery, roasted corn and root vegetable and honey-accented finish. Rich and flavorful.
91 Hoptoberfest, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Pure aromas of roasted nuts, brown sugar, and ruby grapefruit follow through on a round, supple entry to a finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with sweet melon and custard notes. Finishes with a grassy, lightly phenolic American and European hop fade. An fun amped up hop take on märzen that is stylistically incorrect but palate-wise very tasty and adventurous.
91 Fairbanks Lager, Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co. (AK). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Rich copper color. Lush caramel nut danish and milk chocolate aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and long, toasty nut fudge, dried citrus and straw finish. Delicious, exquisitely balanced, and fine-tuned for the table.
91 Session Fest, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6.2% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Rich aromas of caramelized fruits and spiced nuts with a supple, finely carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and long, floral orange blossom, grilled sweet potato and lemon grass-like hops. Very nicely articulated and balanced flavors.
91 Oktoberfest, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of honeyed graham crackers, cashews, strawberry milk, and peach marmalade with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, lemon-herb bread and microgreens-like hop finish. Very fresh, tasty and satisfying.
90 Oktoberfest Lager, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Translucent copper color. Dense aromas of chestnut honey, pecan pie, and dates with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a orange buttermilk custard, nutty praline and earthy hop finish. A deliciously balanced combination of fruity malt and noble hops.
90 Märzen Gold, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of butter roasted peanuts and bread toast with a supple, dryish medium body and a roasted sweet potato and apple, honey and radish spout-like hop finish. A great companion for sausages.
90 Brooklyn Oktoberfest, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.5% ABV (12/11)
Copper color. Aromas of citrus gelato, date bread, and herbs with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, praline, pepper and jicama finish. A zesty, tasty food beer.
90 FallFest, Pagosa Brewing Company (CO). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of toasty nut brittle, grilled fruit, and chocolate nuts with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a breezy straw, nutshell and chocolate bar finish.
90 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Golden amber color. Mild aromas of yeasty bread dough, dried fruit, honeycomb, and peanut brittle with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, pure, clean grain, dried citrus and lettuce finish. Nice poundability.
90 Rocktoberfest Lager, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.65% ABV (11/11)
Amber copper color. Bright orange blossom honey butter and nougat aromas with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a zesty peach, orange, and root vegetable-accented finish. A delicious food beer.
89 Oktoberfest, Delafield Brewhaus (WI). 6.3% ABV (11/11)
Aromas and flavors of roasted nuts, Texas toast, and milk chocolate with a supple dryish medium body and a lively, melon and peppery hop-accented finish. Very tasty and balanced.
89 Oktoberfest, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 7.5% ABV (12/11)
Copper brown color. Bright aromas of roasted grain, chocolate, and yams with a supple, frothy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a warming, jicama, chive, peppercorn and dried fruit finish.
89 Gobbler Lager, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Copper brown color. Aromas of dark roasted nuts, burnt sugar, and Black Cow with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a zesty cracked pepper, mocha and lettuce-accented finish. A fun flavorful lager.
88 Shiner Oktoberfest, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 5.7% ABV (11/10)
Deep amber color. Bold peach and orange marmalades and frittata aromas have nice sharp herbal edge. Vibrant and frothy with a chewy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, candied dried citrus fruit and sweet potato finish. Will cut through sausages perfectly.
88 Point Oktoberfest, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.67% ABV (12/11)
Amber color. Aromas of orange soufflé, nut toast, and honey with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp lemon scone and peppery hop finish.
88 Oktoberfest Marzen, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5.7% ABV (11/11)
Rich amber copper color. Lovely aromas of toffee, mocha, and raisin nut toast with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, citrus, spice, sweet potato and grassy hop finish.
88 Oktoberfest Wiesn, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 6% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden yellow color. Mild aromas of honeyed fig and date breads and hushpuppies with a crisp, dryish medium body and a grainy bread, dried peach, blueberry and orange-accented finish. Very tasty and refreshing.
88 Fest Beer, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 5.5% ABV (12/11)
Rich amber color. Aromas of soufflé, pepper bread, and orange blossom honey with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and baked citrus and apple-accented finish. Tasty.
87 Samuel Adams Octoberfest, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (12/11)
Copper color. Aromas of honeycomb, toasted nut brittle, and dried citrus with a crisp, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery radish and grassy hop-accented finish.
87 Stegmaier Oktoberfest, The Lion Brewery (PA). 6.1% ABV (12/11)
Reddish amber color. Aromas of peach, apple, orange, and lemon cake with a crisp, frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium and a tangy, kiwi, nut and radish-accented finish.
87 Cusqueña Red Lager, Unión de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5% ABV (12/11)
Reddish amber color. Aromas of orange soufflé and frosted danish with a supple fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy citrus and buttered brioche finish. Very tasty.
87 Oktoberfest, Frankenmuth Brewery (MI). 5.27% ABV (11/11)
Amber color. Fruity Brach’s caramel aromas with hints of buckwheat honey on rye toast. Soft and frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium body and dried citrus and peach and peppered turnip-accented finish. An easygoing food beer.
86 Oktoberfest, Faust Brewing Company (TX). 7% ABV (11/11)
Bright reddish copper color. Bright aromas of orange marmalade on pepper bread with a supple, chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a touch baking soda, white pepper dust, and grilled turnip on the zesty hops-driven finish. A fun, flavorful hop-forward Octoberfest.
86 Barktoberfest, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 6% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of fresh peanut butter on cherry raisin scone with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, honeyed orange, peach liqueur and peppered kale-like hop finish.
86 Vienna, Theresianer (Italy). 5.3% ABV (12/11)
Rich amber color. Aromas of omelet and honeyed vanilla waffle with a dry-yet-fruity medium and a roasted sweet potato and peppery radish sprout finish.
86 Minhas Oktoberfest, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas and flavors of honeycomb, molasses and chocolate covered apricot with a zesty, frothy fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy, orange and radish-accented finish. Very fruity, lively and pleasant.
85 Oktoberfest, Lancaster Brewing Co. (PA). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of cooked honey, baked peach, nutskin, and buttermilk biscuit follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with molasses and roasted root vegetable and okra notes. Finishes with a crisp, mossy mineral and hay-like hop fade. An earthy, rustic take on an Octoberfest; pair with pot roasts.
84 Oktoberfest, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 5.7% ABV (11/10)
Aromas of yeasty sour dough bread, toasted polenta, and peach yogurt with a soft, slight sour dryish medium with creamed corn and cabbage notes on the fleeting, mossy wet stone-accented finish.
84 Maierfest Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 5% ABV (11/11)
Rich pale amber color. Aromas of ironed rayon, mustard seed and floury raisin corn bread with a crisp, mildly carbonated dryish, medium body and a tangy, apple cider, lemon pepper and arugula snap on the finish.
84 Victoria Lager, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 4.04% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of orange blossom honey on toast with a smooth, frothy, dryish light-to-medium and a tangy apple butter and starfruit finish.
84 Oktoberfest, Northwoods Brewing Corp. LLC (WI). 5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of salty butter toasted nuts, soy bean, and straw with a crisp, dryish medium body and a creamy citrus custard, leafy veggie and honey finish.
81 Harvest Lager, Mustang Brewing Co. (OK). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of minestrone and dark bread crust with a supple, dryish medium body and a grainy dough, lemon yogurt, and peppery lettuce hop snap on the finish. A rustic table beer.