A BEER FOR ALL SEASONS
Seasonal beer reviews: Marzen/Oktoberfest beers worth noting, all still good to drink after their namesake season, including some local favorites.
By George Dauphin
Even though beers do not have “vintages” in the same sense that fine wines do, the general rule is to consume them “fresh” as close to the brewery release date as possible. That doesn’t mean you have to throw out that six-pack of Bud Light that your brother-in-law brought last Thanksgiving and has been sitting in your fridge all these months. Beer doesn’t “go bad” in the same way wine does. (Ales are another category onto themselves.) It just means that, if taste is important to you, you will get the best results if you consume the beer young. That goes double for seasonal beers because taste and style is the entire point. Many packages will carry a date — or expiration — stamp. If you don’t see the stamp, ask the beer expert at your spirits retailer. Very often, they will know where that stamp is “hidden.”
But in spite of the “expiration date,” the good news is that you can continue to enjoy your leftover seasonal beers for months after the namesake “season” has passed. For example, Oktoberfest beers don’t magically go bad on October 31st. You could even look to see if any of your favorite seasonal beers remained on the shelf, or in the back room, at your local retailer, after the season has passed — and take advantage of the lower price. After this Oktoberfest, we wanted to know which breweries had been most successful in producing an Oktoberfest beer worth noting, and worth savoring for the next few months. If you don’t see your favorite brand listed here, most likely we felt it wasn’t worthy. All of the following are Marzen/Oktoberfest beers, all bottles, unless otherwise stated, in no particular order:
• Brewed in Pennsylvania
• Medium-bodied
From one of most underrated breweries comes this
surprisingly good, well balanced, deliciously smooth and
drinkable beer. Deep, rich color. High in taste, low in price—
literally, a good buy.
• From Pennsylvania
• 5.6% alcohol
The label has it right: Subtle sweetness, but not “sweet”
— leaves the palate dry, with no aftertaste — a good
thing, depending on your point of view. This one wins
the prize for Best Beer for Food. And… did I detect a
hint of tobacco?
• Brewed in Florida
• 5.4% alcohol
Perhaps more show than substance, it’s a festive pour,
with deep caramel color, a big off -white head, and fresh
taste. A lingering hoppiness makes you want to take
another sip.
• From Colorado
• Canned
This craft lager from Colorado has a nice color, with a
subtle head, and a smooth feel followed by an agreeable
caramel finish.
• Brewed in Massachusetts
• One of many seasonal beers from this producer
Sam Adams Oktoberfest gets the freshness prize — a real
thirst quencher, with a beautiful, rich color.
• Brewed in New York State (owned by Anheuser-Busch)
• 5.7% alcohol
The best “quaffing” beer of the list, and a unique taste,
almost elegant, while the alcohol is very much evident.
• Brewed in St. Louis, MO
• 5.5% alcohol
Nice amber color, but what is most impressive are the layers
of flavor — hops, toasty malt, some pleasant bitterness, but
well balanced. A bit “chewy.”
• Made in Tampa, FL
• 5.8% alcohol
The most complex on the palate, and the most interesting
color — indeed copper. In terms of color, taste, body,
this is the “port” of the Oktoberfest beers.
Unapologetically malty.
• Brewed Michigan
• 5.5% ABV/Full bodied
This copper-colored lager, features noble hop bitterness
balanced by sweet toasted malt. The perfect balance is
achieved and the mood is set for fall.
• From Tampa, FL
• 5.8% alcohol
Brewed with German barley and hops, this canned lager
has a huge, showy head, and a nice color. The power is not
so evident — at first.
• Brewed in Baltimore, MD
• 6% alcohol
Our strongest beer on the list. Sparkling bright amber, a
nice prelude to a palate that is fresh, crisp, with a subtle
bitterness at the end.
• Brewed in Germany
• Medium-bodied lager
This classic seasonal features a golden color with a
rich creamy head that laces beautifully. Well balanced, just
enough bite at the end.