Great Lakes Brewing - Oktoberfest

Tonight, we have some important college football airing on national television - Iowa State vs. Connecticut.  I expect everyone to watch the game, and of course, root for Iowa State.  So in the interest of good football, I'm going to keep tonight's review short and sweet.  I'll be drinking an Oktoberfest from Great Lakes Brewing in Cleveland, OH.  It's that time of year, and Oktoberfest's are popping up all over the place, so you can expect us to write about quite a few of them over the next month or so.  We may even have a little Oktoberfest competition, along with a poll, to determine the best Oktoberfest brew of the year....so stay tuned.

This beer is going into my 1-Liter stein (Maakrug in German).  I know, one little 12oz beer looks ridiculous in that beastly mug.  But when I do Oktoberfest, I do it right!  And I'm always looking for excuses to bring this thing out of the cupboard.  The beer is a clear, brilliant copper color, showcasing a nice off-white foam that doesn't recede.  Nose is full of bready malts, complimented by a faint lemony spiciness.  The flavor takes those aromas and manifests them almost exactly, even magnifies them a little bit.  Creamy texture carries the initial flavor of baked breads, some farmhouse grass, and some buttery sweetness.  In the background is a hint of spice, and a little surprisingly there is a hint of alcohol in there. 

Overall Rating:  This Oktoberfest is the real deal.  Great brew, good example of the style, although it does have a little spicy kick to it.  Add this to your Oktoberfest list this year!  B+