Oktoberfest sampling.... Results to follow

[Snafu]

Just picked up a few to try out and see how they are. I'm typically a Sam Adams Oktoberfest fan, but this year I have been really disappointed with it. So, in the name of research, I've decided to try out several others to see if its my taste that has grown and refined or if some slacker at SA's goofed up.

This round:
Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale
Flying Dog Dogtoberfest
Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
Ayinger Oktoberfest (Marzen)
Paulaner Oktoberfest (Marzen)
Blue Moon Harvestmoon Pumpkin Ale
Jacks Pumpkin Spice Ale (yeah, I know, its made by Michelob. I'm curious)

They are chillin now, I'll crack one open tonight.

 

[mowilly]

I noticed the same thing this year. Sam Adam's Oktoberfest just tastes 'off' to me.

I'll be interested to read the reviews.

 

[PseudoChef]

Pumpkin spice beers are completely different than Marzens - can't really compare the two.

 

[Snafu]

Pumpkin spice beers are completely different than Marzens - can't really compare the two.

Agreed. I really didn't mean to insinuate that I was comparing all these to SA. Only that I was was disappointed/bored with SA and wanted to try a handful of fall seasonals.

 

[Saccharomyces]

Paulaner is my favorite. Spaten is pretty good, too. The others... Meh.

 

[PseudoChef]

Agreed. I really didn't mean to insinuate that I was comparing all these to SA. Only that I was was disappointed/bored with SA and wanted to try a handful of fall seasonals.

Gotcha! Thought you were doing a formal "winner takes all" type of death pool

I am a sucker for fall seasonals as well.

 

[carnevoodoo]

Paulaner is my favorite. Spaten is pretty good, too. The others... Meh.

I'd kind of agree with this. Spaten is my favorite, though. Paulaner is great. there are some nice regionals around here, too.

 

[Snafu]

Well Monday night SWMBO and myself cracked open the Jacks & Smuttynose for a taste.
Jacks - Just about what I would imagine a "big 3 brewery" to produce. A very clean, yet watered down pumpkin ale. Low to med-low mouth-feel, weak carbonation with a very short lived head. No spice, and just a slight hint of pumpkin.

Smutty nose Pumpkin Ale - This was actually pretty good. Beautiful orange-amber and slightly cloudy. Poured a perfect 2 finger head that lasted till the end with nice lace around the glass. Hint: You gotta let this beer warm up, right out of the fridge its more like a pale ale but after about 10 mins, the flavor practically explodes in the glass. Just a little too much allspice for my taste, it tends to dominate the aftertaste. Clone recipes are already going through my head.

Cheers!

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I'd kind of agree with this. Spaten is my favorite, though. Paulaner is great. there are some nice regionals around here, too.

After reading this I bought a 12-er of Spaten Oktoberfest last night, I wanted something to compare my version to. The Spaten was very good imo...very 'bready' in the malt department.

 

[Hammy71]

SA is OK with me... Spatan would be my number 2... But the one I actually wait for each year is the Beck's. Say what you will...but I personnaly like their Octoberfest. I usually by a bunch come the beginning of Sept because around here it's usually gone by mid-october....

 

[Snafu]

Last night I cracked open the Flying dog. As a pretty big fan of theirs I was excited to try this one.

Dogtoberfest - Simply put, its right down the middle of the road. Very drinkable, very light. Not quite refreshing though. It pours a nice deep copper, tints of red, very clear. A good 1 finger head that didn't last long at all. No lace. It has a strong malt flavor, just a hint of caramel. A tad bitter at the finish. I'd give it a C+

 

[Mainebrew]

Just picked up a sixer of Shipyards Pumpkinhead, here in Maine it is easy to come by this time of year. I have to say this is one of my favorite beers for this time of year. Great nose, just enough spice and pumpkin.