Day #272 – Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

Something special is up for today.

Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

Avery came out with this gem a few years back, and it was advertised as an Imperial Oktoberfest. A few different breweries have played around with the idea of making an amped up version of the Oktoberfest style, but as the original style rarely has over 6% in alcohol, these “Imperial” versions of 9 and 10% couldn’t be true Oktoberfests. That’s why I have double labeled the style on this one; as an Oktoberfest as well as the more accurate distinction, Dunkler Bock. This beer has 10% ABClearIngs beer pours a clear orange color with a slight white head. Also has a bit of darker reddish hues to it as well.

Aroma is sweet malts with some berry type fruit. Bit of roastyness with a heavier malty backbone. Can’t really smell the alcohol but you get an impression of it’s intensity.

Flavor is sweet. Candy-like sweetness with a berry flavor and malts. No bitterness can be detected. Not bad; very different for a marzen. I definitely recommend you try this, if only to see a new twist on an old style.

Cheers!

Day #271 – Brooklyn Oktoberfest

My week of Oktoberfest continues with another trip to Gingerman. They’ve got a great Draught selection and always stock up on a variety of Oktoberfest beers. Today’s is from Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Brooklyn Brewing has been doing this one since 2000. It’s an Oktoberfest beer at 5.5%.

This beer pours a very clear reddish orange color with a nice white head.

Aroma is fairly straightforward. Malty aroma that has a touch of spice. Bit grainy and bitter.

Flavor is malty sweet, caramel notes and bitter tastes on the finish. This is pretty much what I think about when I think “Oktoberfest”.

Cheers!

Day #270 – Franconia Oktoberfest

Quick one today.

Franconia Oktoberfest

This one’s out of Franconia; a local brewery based in McKinney. I’ve had this beer several times before and in my opinion is one of the best things they do! Unsure of the ABV; estimated around 5.5%.

This beer pours a clear reddish orange color with nice rouge highlights. Tan type head.

Aroma is fairly sweet smelling; sweeter than I remember. Sweet caramel malts, grains and light sugar fill the nose.

Flavor matches the sweetness well. Lots of caramel malts, leafy flavors and sugary sweetness. Not too sweet but sweeter than your typical Oktoberfest. I think it works for them though.

Cheers!

Day #269 – Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen

OK so today officially starts my week of Oktoberfest! Haha even though it’s a Tuesday, that’s just how we’re going to do things here. I’ve got an authentic German Oktoberfest beer in an authentic German Oktoberfest mug. It doesn’t get much better than this…unless I was actually AT Oktoberfest. I can dream can’t I?

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen

Hacker-Pschorr is actually brewed by Paulaner, which is a brewery in Munich, Germany. I actually remarked when I was drinking this beer tonight that it reminded me a lot of the Paulaner Oktoberfest beer, and now I know why. ABV 5.8%.

This beer pours a fairly clear reddish brown color with a slight edge of orange. Light fizzy white head.

Aroma is very similar to the Paulaner Oktoberfest beer. Light malts, some metallic notes, bitter flavors and a bit of caramel sweetness.

Flavor is dry, bitter and malty. Slightly metallic in nature. As it warms it grows increasingly bitter. Not my FAV but a cool addition to my glassware collection no doubt.

Cheers!

Day #268 – New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

Well it’s the first day of my amazing WEEK OF OKTOBERFEST in which I had planned on trying a different Oktoberfest beer every day. Day 1 and I’ve already blown it. Haha, I picked up a beer which I thought was an Oktoberfest, then come to find out it is actually a Golden Ale! Bah…oh well, I have reviewed a crapload of Oktoberfest beers already, so let’s just pretend that this is one also. Or perhaps I’ll push back the start date of the amazing WEEK OF OKTOBERFEST to tomorrow. Yeah…that.

New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

I’ve reviewed several things from New Belgium thus far so there’s no need to remind you of their stats. This is a Golden Ale at 6% ABV and is their Autumn seasonal.

This beer pours a clear golden color with a foamy white head. The head lasts for just a bit before subsiding.

The aroma is hoppy and dry grains, with some sweet notes on the nose. Certainly hopped.

Flavor is dry, clay malts, some sweetness and an odd finish. Certainly not an Oktoberfest beer.

Cheers!

Day #267 – Tommyknocker Imperial Nut Brown Ale

Thought I would squeeze this one in here today as I am planning on starting a week of Oktoberfest beers starting tomorrow.

Tommyknocker Imperial Nut Brown Ale

Tommyknocker is based out of Idaho Springs, Colorado. This is an American Strong Ale at 9%. I have previously reviewed a beer of theirs which was the Maple Nut Brown; which I remember not caring too much for, but I think I had a bad bottle. This is apparently the amped up version which is OK by me!

This beer pours a dark brownish color with heavy rouge highlights when put to the light. There is a nice foamy tan head which forms on top of the beer. Nice looking. BTW I decided as a preview for Oktoberfest week, I would bust out an Oktoberfest mug for this beer.

Aroma is pretty nice. Sweet maple syrup notes are right off the bat, with some caramel notes and malty brown sugar. There is a slight feeling of the raised ABV but not too overbearing. This smells pretty nice.

Flavor is sweet malts with a dry maple syrup flavor. Woody on the finish; yes very woody with a dry bitter touch. There is a bit of caramel malt flavoring but not a whole lot. Much better than the bottle I had of the original that’s for sure.

Cheers!

 

Day #266 – Rahr & Sons Oak Aged Oktoberfest

Today was an awesome day! It started off with a brisk 5K run sponsored by Fort Worth’s own local brewery, Rahr & Sons. Money that was raised for this run was donated to Habitat for Humanity. After the run we were treated to German style food, a live polka band and of course beer! The previous mayor of Fort Worth came by for the official tapping of the keg, an old German tradition used to signify the start of Oktoberfest. Rahr had on hand a large oak barrel filled with Rahr’s Oktoberfest beer. This is the first time I know of they have barrel aged their Oktoberfest, so I was very anxious to try it.

Rahr & Sons Oak Aged Oktoberfest

Unfortunately I was so excited to try this beer that I forgot to take a picture of it! However I did get a nice picture of the keg itself:

This beer pours a slightly hazy dark brown color with a maroonish hue. The head was very bubbly, almost like freshly brewed tea. Brown head.

The aroma is very woody, which I didn’t expect to be this strong as they only aged this beer in the barrel for 10 days. The wood characteristics are pretty strong but there is a fair bit of malty notes as well.

Flavor is again very woody. Lots of oak flavors that have a slight vanilla edge as well. Bit of bourbon flavor with some malty notes as well.

Very glad to have tried this, and shared it with good friends!

Cheers!

Day #265 – Widmer Brothers Rotator IPA Series – X-114 IPA

I’ve really fell behind on writing these up. My life has changed quite a bit since I began this in January and my free time to type up the reviews has diminished greatly. I’m still drinking the beers on the correct days it’s just become more difficult to put it online. Oh well, quickly approaching the last 100 days.

Wider began this series earlier this year, called the Rotator IPA series. They will be releasing a series of IPA’s that vary by the season. This is the first one I have had the chance to try. It’s an India Pale Ale at 6.2%.

I’m at a new bar/restaurant in Arlington that opened up earlier this month. It’s called the Mellow Mushroom and it’s a national chain. Check out the drippy bar top!

This beer pours a clear mix of golden, orange and reddish hues. Very attractive to look at for sure. Light amount of white head.

The aroma is very intense and very hoppy. It has a big pine nose with grapefruit, sap and sticky resin notes. Very hoppy smell.

The flavor is just as intense as the aroma. Very hoppy flavor, with sticky pine needles, grapefruit tartness and a very bitter flavor through the finish.

Now this is an IPA that I could drink several of in a night. In fact, I think I’ll have another.

Cheers!

Day #264 – Real Ale Oktoberfest

More Oktoberfest beers! I’m glad these only come out once a year cause I will get super burned out on them after next week.

Real Ale Oktoberfest

This is Real Ale’s Oktoberfest. ABV 5.7%. What more need be said?

This beer pours a fairly clear copper orange color to heavier red tints with a very light amount of head.

The aroma is malty and surprisingly leafy. Lots of earthy tones in this, caramel malts and some added sweetness as well.

The flavor is also malty sweet, and dried leaves. Bitter finish that lingers with the malt leaves flavor. Not as sweet as I’d prefer it to be.

Cheers!

Day #263 – Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

I think the funny thing here is I’ve now reviewed the Oaked and Double version of this beer but not the original. Very interesting indeed. This is their Arrogant Bastard Ale that is aged in oak barrels. It is an American Strong Ale at 7.2%.

This beer pours a dark ruby color with touches of brown. There is an off-white color head that foams up pretty quickly.

The aroma here is very woody. Lots of oak and malts on the nose. Maybe some softer notes of vanilla and sharp hops but not nearly as intense as the original. The wood definitely took some of the edge off.

The flavor is more woody than anything else, which honestly is a tad bit disappointing. I like the original a lot because it is very intense and unapologetically hoppy, but the wood here toned it down immensely.

Cheers!