Beer Review Thread

scar988 · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 28737 Location: Charleston, SC

alright guys, my 21st is on wednesday, any beer I should try this weekend for sure outside of the Sam Smith Oatmeal stout I'm having on Wednesday?
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dave2742 · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 8094 Location: Maple Grove, MN

What is everyone's thought on Landshark? To me, it is a much better version of Corona.

Also, has anyone had O'so beer out of Pulver, WI? It is a newer beer and I just got some.
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-Props to Waldo!

RyanFuller003 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 19881

boondock · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 17643 Location: Waynesville, NC

dave2742 · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 8094 Location: Maple Grove, MN

Waldo · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 22679 Location: The ATL

I need to review more when I drink. I'm in the midst of a hardcore Oktoberfest tour as football season has drawn near.

Some thoughts:

Paulaner - Defines the style.
Left Hand - Light for an American. Decent flavor, definitely not elite ingredients
Sam Adams - More like a DoppleMarzen than a true Oktoberfest
Spaten - Light. Kinda blah. Good session beer.
Warsteiner - See review below.

Also got some Spaten Helles going.

Of all the German stuff I've had as of late, Lowenbrau Original is my favorite everyday beer (like a slightly less hoppy Urquell), but you can't go wrong with any offering by Weihenstephaner. I especially like their fest beer.
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Waldo · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 22679 Location: The ATL

Warsteiner Oktoberfest

Warsteiner is imported from Germany. Like Becks, they make an Oktoberfest, however are not part of the big 6 of Munich breweries (Lowenbrau, Spaten, Hofbrauhaus, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, Augustinerbrau) that are part of the official Oktoberfest celebration. Warsteiner's Oktoberfest is a light amber version of the style (Marzen). It is a bit lighter in malt flavor than the typical Oktoberfest, however it still has the higher alcohol content (5.9%). It is well carbonated for the style.

Warsteiner is hopped a little bit more than you typically see out of an Oktoberfest. The hops used have the distinct flavor of continental noble hops. It is very German tasting. I like how the hops balances the strogn malt flavor moreso than you typically see in an Oktoberfest, which tend to be malt overload, especially the American varieties.

The big difference between the American and German versions IMO is approach. American Oktoberfests are specialty styles. Most of the American breweries rarely even make Lagers, and they don't have the means for the highly complex German brewing process (Multiple Decoction mashing and Krausening). They tend to be mid gravity amber lagers that are lightly hopped. German Oktoberfests are meant for celebrations. It is session beer, party beer. American versions have a hard time pulling that off, they tend more toward sipping beers.

Grade: 7.1
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paulthom23 · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 967 Location: Drexel U

Waldo · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 22679 Location: The ATL

Paulaner Oktoberfest

Woooo, party beer.

If you were to define the Oktoberfest Style, this would definitely be the truest representation of the flavors of the style. Based in Munich, Paulaner is one of the main suppliers of Munich's Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is a malty amber brew that celebrates the harvest from the summer. It is typically lightly or moderately hopped with continental noble hops. Oktoberfest is pretty much the best that brewers have come up with to maximize hammering. It is a moderately strong brew, that is drinkable yet tasty. Everybody can find something they like in an Oktoberfest, it is a very universal style.

Paulaner's is a little stronger tasting than the typical German Oktoberfest, yet still lighter than many American varieties. It has the extremely drinkable qualities of a German Oktoberfest.

The malt sweetness is powerful, but not overbearing. It has a strong nutty-toasty flavor to go along with the sweetness. The sweetness is balanced by spicy noble hops. The hops are more noticeable than many American varieties (surprisingly, but Americans don't do noble well), but not as distinct as Warsteiner.

The malt flavor of Paulaner has a very long finish, with the nutty notes lingering a long time.

While it is possible to do Oktoberfest better IMO, you can not go wrong with Paulaner's offering.

Grade - 7.9
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mistakebytehlak · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 38714 Location: Brooklyn, NY

i tried trois pistoles brewed by unibroue

it is awesome.
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RyanFuller003 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 19881

Well, it's 09/09/09 . . . everyone should drink one of these today:

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scar988 · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 28737 Location: Charleston, SC

I actually thought about doing the Magic Hat for my birthday. but I decided against it for a Fat Tire. the Fat tire was pretty damn good too. then at dinner I had a sam adams. saturday is the big beer tasting day though.
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Buckrock101 · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 28990 Location: Sudden Valley

I tried some Tuatara Hefe (I think?) the other day at The Malthouse, just down the road, and it was daaaaaamn good. A lot better than my usual brand of $1 per can beer.
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RyanFuller003 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 19881

My birthday was last night, so I had:

1) Bell's Two Hearted Ale (IPA)
2) Magic Hat #9 ("Not Quite" Pale Ale)
3) Samuel Adams Oktoberfest (Marzen)
4) Dragonmead Final Absolution (Trippel)
5) Tommyknocker Maple Brown Ale (Brown Ale)

That Final Absolution is about 10.7% alcohol on tap and it was a 23 oz glass, so drinking that in and of itself was like downing a six pack. It got me pretty drunk.
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