Samuel Adams Octoberfest
9/2010 the key truly is in not drinking this one fast. it doesn't help the aroma, but the flavor reveals itself to be quite good when you take your time and savor it. also, there is a slickness to the mouthfeel that's pleasing, though the carbonation must still be ducked and dodged to get to it. overall, though, i am definitely liking this more these days than the boston lager (which is striking me as too harsh around the edges). 8/2010 misplaced my review, but the overall score from last year is about right. the watery mouthfeel was again noted, the boringness, smelled and tasted quite a bit like an AB version of an amber ale, like American Ale. the lingering finish of mildly toasted caramel is practically the only aspect that merits attention. the usual sweet caramel seems missing for the most part. given my relatively newfound respect for and enjoyment of the boston lager, i hoped this one would start a similar ascension. according to the next bottle, sipping is actually the key to enjoyment this year, which is fine but perhaps not really in keeping with the oktoberfest spirit. taste is about a 4-4.5 when sipped. 2009 3.5-4 totally clear ruddy amber 2 finger head looks tight at first but drops quickly to ring, leaving spotty, transient lace. 3-3.5 sweet caramel malts, basement (slight skunk), grassy hops. not so unpleasant as it sounds and after a bit the basement goes away. 3.5 sweetness, toasted malts, some nuttiness. a surprising touch of unmasked alc. about a 3.75. 3 watery mouthfeel, a little low in carb. the watery demeanor is the beer's weakest point. 3.5-4 based on 1 bottle this time around, liking better than last year. but i don't recall it being so watery. what i imagine a michelob oktoberfest would be. 2008 3 color is a decent light amber with shades of pumpkin, but the head drops without a trace. no lace at all. (UPDATE: another bottle poured very aggressively managed to leave a cap with some lingering lace) 3 smell is of the malt typical for the style. nothing special. and not even vigorous enough to mask the alcohol scent. 3 despite this having just arrived on the store shelf, the taste isn't particularly fresh. one-dimensional blandness, but tolerable. a bit 3.5 syrupy around the edges and an odd but slight metallic quality. 3.5 with all the really good oktoberfests out there to guzzle, no reason to seek out this one. but if it's all that's available, it'll do.