Great Lakes Oktoberfest

There will always be a place in my hopped up heart for just about anything brewed by Great Lakes.  GLBC's Elliot Ness was my first craft beer, and I can remember back to high school when my dad stocked nothing but that and GL Dortmunder Gold in his beer fridge.  Good times indeed.

We're moving soon and really need to drink up the beer in the fridge (so we can stock the new fridge with more beer of course), and imagine my surprise at finding an extra GL Oktoberfest nestled in the back behind a daunting collection of larger bottles.  Time for a review!

Beer: Oktoberfest

Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest
ABV: 6.5%

Glass: snifter

Appearance: Pours a rich amber with a smaller, quickly disappearing white head.  A little clearer than others of this style I've enjoyed recently.  Really quite beautiful to look at!

Aroma:    Rich malt and bready tones with subtle hints of hops.  Nothing too complex, which I enjoy with this style - it's about tradition.

Body & Texture:  Light to medium body with a fresh almost prickly carbonation that serves as a good accent to the flavor.

Taste:  Very upfront flavor that matches the aroma nicely.  This is a traditionally brewed beer with no surprises and all good taste.  Flavor brings together bread and caramel malts with just enough spice to show in the medium dry finish.

Overall: 4.5/5 It seems to be a bit clear and a little more thicker bodied that other Oktoberfest style beers I've tasted, but that doesn't mean it is bad - quite the opposite!  This is a highly drinkable brew that highlights the traditional Oktoberfest style and gives it a slight American craft spin enough to make it a tasty GLBC original.  I do have to note however that my initial tasting of this beer was back in September when it was released for the year, and that the one I am currently enjoying has been aging in my fridge since around that time.  I have to admit that I was not as enthused about this one around the time of its initial release and I think it may improve with a little age, but don't take my word for it - try it both ways yourself!