Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Sam Adams Octoberfest

Here's another seasonal I picked up recently at Gail's Hops and Grapes. Before I continue on this one, I have a comment for any of my local people who might be reading this:

If you are interested in sampling the seasonal's being offered at Gail's, I have three bottles of each of the following beers that I will trade you three of something that I don't have already. I really hate buying six packs just to try a beer, and now I have a collection of Oktoberfests that I won't drink up myself...

Samuel Adams Octoberfest
New Belgium Hoptober (not a real Oktoberfest)
Bell's Octoberfest
Highland's Clawhammer Oktoberfest

I will trade these one at a time or in groups of three for any of the other fall seasonals if you want to mix up your tasting regimen without buying six of everything...

The Sam Adams Octoberfest, even though they (as did Bell's Brewing) spell it wrong, is a decent representation of the style.  It poured a very rich copper/amber color with a thick head of foam.  The malty aroma came through quickly and there are practically no hop aromas found that contribute significantly to the overall aroma.  From the website:

The first thing you notice when pouring a glass of this seasonal beer is the color.  Samuel Adams Octoberfest has a rich, deep golden amber hue which itself is reflective of the season.  Samuel Adams 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 Adams Octoberfest provides a wonderful transition from the lighter beers of summer to the winter's heartier brews.

The Sam Adams Octoberfest is probably going to fall in the middle of the road of my favorites in this group this season.  I'm not sure what is causing it, but there is a little bit of leftover bitterness in the aftertaste of this beer.  That isn't characteristic of this style.  This beer should finish on a sweet note with a caramel aftertaste if there is any aftertaste at all.  Its not as full bodied as the Bell's and its got just a little bit crisper flavor.  We'll see how these stack up to the Highland Brewing's Clawhammer Oktoberfest that I have been saving.  I'm expecting it to be my favorite of the bunch so far...