93 Volksfestbier, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
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.
93 Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 6.3% ABV (10/10)
Bright golden color. Rich aromas of omelet and fresh baguette with a round, chewy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, sumptuous honeyed citrus and grass accented finish. A delicious, classic märzen.
92 Vienna, Theresianer (Italy). 5.3% ABV (10/10)
Deep amber color. Roasted whole corn and chestnuts, faint pork rind and chalky clay aromas with a round, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a long, quenching edamame and hay accented finish. Super table friendly and quaffable; bring on the sausages!
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 (10/10) %{Brewpub}
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 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 Brooklyn Oktoberfest, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.5% ABV (10/10)
Deep copper color. Aromas and flavors of dark roasted chestnuts, light molasses and mocha with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a honeyed pumpernickel toast, dried pear, and water chestnut accented finish. A sturdy, refreshing fest beer.
91 Oktoberfest, Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co. (AK). 7.8% ABV (10/10)
Pale copper color. Aromas of chocolate hazelnut toffee, candied ginger and orange and peach marmalades on dark raisin toast with a supple, soft dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crème brûlée, roasted grain, grassy hop, and candied citrus peel accented finish. Very tasty with a lot of character.
91 Oktoberfest, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (10/08)
Brilliant amber color. Sea salt, cheese rind, and yeasty dough aromas follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a seamless smooth carbonation and notes of dates and toffee. Finishes in a long, rich cocoa, buttered raisin nut toast, and lemon zest fade with comforting warmth. A delicious and flavorful Oktoberfest to savor, not quaff.
91 Oktoberfest Beer, Penn Brewery (PA). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Bright amber color. Toasted cheese pastry, mild baked citrus and honey aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with soft integration of flavors and light toast and citrusy hop fade. A dry, crisp and refreshing märzen.
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 (10/10)
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 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
Bright amber color. Intriguingly spicy aromas have hints of alfalfa honey, coriander, and ginger with a round, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a long, toasted raisin nut bread peppercorn, and herb kissed finish.
90 Voll-Damm Marzen, Damm Brewery (Spain). 7.2% ABV (11/09)
Pale amber color. Grainy, nutty, sour bread dough aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a very dry medium-full body with nice depth and balance. Finishes in a very long, honeyed citrus peel, pepper, and cocoa accented fade with excellent astringency. A märzen on steroids with excellent, rich malt and superb drinkability.
90 Stegmaier Oktoberfest, The Lion Brewery (PA). 6.1% ABV (10/10)
Rich copper color. Aromas of honeyed nut bread, pear butter, and peppered chocolate with a crisp, supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a baked peach, nutskin, and wet stone accented finish.
90 Original Oktoberfest, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Rich copper color. Vibrant caramelized nut and toasted pumpernickel nut bread aromas follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with layers of praline, fig, and orange soufflé notes. Finishes with a smooth, even, earthy hop fade. A delicious and balanced Oktoberfest designed to provide refreshment for the long haul and lots of pub grub.
90 Oktoberfest Lager, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 5.2% ABV (10/10) %{Brewpub}
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.
89 Rocktoberfest Lager, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.65% ABV (10/10) %{Brewpub}
Candied peaches, apricot butter, and raisin scone aromas with a round, fruity medium body and a zippy cashew butter, dried citrus, and delicately spicy hop finish. A touch sweet, but tasty.
89 Point Oktoberfest, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.15% ABV (10/10)
Aromas of candied orange and apricot peels with a crisp zesty dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, breezy tart apple, roasted root vegetable, and delicate spiced nut finish.
89 Oktoberfest Märzen, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Rich amber copper color. Vibrant aromas of brown sugar, hay, and roasted nuts follow through on round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with citrus custard and praline notes and a clean, crisp, earthy hop finish. Nicely styled and balanced for long sessions.
89 Fest Beer, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 5.5% ABV (10/10)
Bright amber color. Orange marmalade, peach pudding, and baguette aromas with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a nice spicy fruitcake and straw finish.
88 Shiner Oktoberfest, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 5.7% ABV (10/10)
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 Baltika #4 Original Dark, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 5.6% ABV (10/08)
Deep reddish copper color with a taupe mousse. Haystack, fennel, melted brown sugar, and dark roasted almond aromas follow through on a vigorously froth and round entry to a fruity sweet medium-to-full body with candied apricot and honeyed cinnamon raisin toast notes. Finishes with a caramelized orange, maple sugar, and woodsy nutshell fade. A confected, chewy lager; try with Korean BBQ.
86 Samuel Adams Octoberfest, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (10/10)
Deep amber copper color. Aromas of orange chiffon cake and milk chocolate with a tangy, crisp fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a juicy apricot custard, fruit gum, wet stone, and earthy hop finish.
86 Michelob Märzen, Michelob Brewing Co. (MO). 5.1% ABV (10/08)
Amber color with a blanket of mousse. Mild aromas of orange rind, nut, and chocolate croissant follow through on a smooth, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with velvety carbonation and excellent integration of flavors. Finishes with a crisp, slightly fruity candied grapefruit peel, mossy hop, hard bread crust, and dried peach fade. A tasty and easy drinking märzen that is sure to please the crowd.
86 Maierfest, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Aromas of chocolate wafer cookie and toasted nuts with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a dried orange, chocolate pudding and faintly grassy finish.
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.
85 Harvest Lager, Mustang Brewing Co. (OK). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
Pale amber color. Aromas and flavors of honeyed toasted rice cake and cocoa-dusted nuts with a round dry medium body and a grainy pizza dough and damp mossy earth finish. A nice choice for sausages.
84 Oktoberfest, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 5.7% ABV (10/10) %{Brewpub)
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 Oktoberfest Bavarian-Style Lager, Upland Brewing (IN). 6.8% ABV (10/08)
Medium amber color with a slight haze. Orange soufflé, wheat grass, and peppery spice aromas follow through on a rich, lightly prickly entry to a chewy, dryish medium-full body with caramel fudge, clay, and wet grain note. Finishes with a clanging wave of pine needle, grapefruit rind and pepper dust. A potent, almost imperial version of the style.
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