Brews 80-87

Yeah... We're really throwing them back now!

So we decided to have an Oktoberfest night. Now I know what you're saying, "But Matt, Oktoberfest is in September." I KNOW. But we didn't have these beers until October. So we're having a make-shift Oktoberfest.

If you guys don't know the story of Oktoberfest here it is: Way back when Monks would brew beer (go monks!). However, it was illegal to brew beer during the summer months. So the monks would brew large amounts of beer and store it deep inside caves so that it would stay cool all through the summer. Then in September they would climb down into the caves, retrieve the beer, and party hard. This later became a national celebration where royalty would drink with commoners, which is quite unheard of. And so... yeah... Oktoberfest...

Horbrau Oktoberfest
This was a fun beer, light amber color that smelled a lot like an American Macro Lager. Upon sipping this beer I noticed a hint of grain toward the front of my mouth. This beer has a delicious sweet taste that is chased with a great hoppy finish. They make themselves a fine beer, which we give a whopping 3.0 of 5 steins.

Abita Amber
I enjoy Abita beers. This one was packaged with a lovely sweet aroma. All of us kept repeating "It's good" at various moments of drinking. A good amount of head to this beer, that is followed by a caramel-y taste; which was strong (but not over powering). "...like a sweet cereal..." was commented by either Wes or I at some point in the tasting. With a quite tasty finish, we're giving this one a 3.75 of 5 steins.


Aynger Oktoberfest Marzen
Now, Wes rather enjoys Marzens, so he was in heaven with this one. It's a shame that he was let down by an average beer. An irony smell permeated from this beverage. Now I will describe why we feel it was average. It didn't have a bad taste (by no means), but it certainly didn't have a good taste either (if that makes sense). Retha didn't like it, for what it's worth... Kidding of course... you wouldn't read this if you didn't care what we think. This beer has a nice head that sustains well; but due to its averageness we grant it (an average) 2.5 of 5 steins.

Lowenbrau Oktoberfest
Oh dear another brau? Okay, I'll drink it with gusto! Light in color and similar smelling to the Hofbrau. With a taste that was on the lower side of average (aka not too impressive). "It's kind of eh..." We didn't find anything too standout-ish about this brew. Kinda sweet & hoppy, but not really. Another average 2.5 steins of 5.0... I want more full steins!!

Brooklyn Oktoberfest
Brooklyn represent!! Erm... I'm not even sure I've been to Brooklyn... But I'll represent it! This beer sports a dark color with a chocolately aroma. Wes feels it, "...looks kind of like an Irish red." This beer strangely fit all of the characteristics of a Brown Ale (which I happen to love). With that, we wouldn't categorize this with Oktoberfest beers; but I guess Brooklyn does (REPRESENT). The only Oktoberfest characteristic we found was the after taste (which was kind of a standard Oktoberfest taste). An estranged 3.0 of 5 steins.

Great American Beer Fest 25th Anniversary
Now, we were upset that we couldn't make it out to Colorado for this year's Great American Beer Festival. So we wanted to bring a taste to our small town in the Southern Mass. At first sniff, I noted, "...smells like a candy..." Wesley commented: "I smell an IPA." Which I think should set off a bell in your head saying, "Hey man... This beer sounds complex!" Which it was! I've got to tell you, this beer is quite a rare beer. We considered just keeping it as a collectible, but we thought you readers were more important. Oh, this beer... totally has a head that sustains... through the entire drinking experience. This beer was pretty good, 3.0 of 5 steins.

Budweiser's Brew Master's Private Reserve
This one goes out to all the Americans out there, that enjoy a fine American brew (yea right). "This is very heady." That is perhaps the only nice thing I have to say about this beer. Now for the negative: "This beer smells like piss!" I proclaimed as I almost gagged. Wes then felt it necessary to say, "Ever pick up a mop that was used to sweep up piss the day before? I have..." Retha continued, "I am absolutely livid!" If you are wondering why we are so upset, it because this bottle was HUGE and hard to find. Couple those together and you get what? EXPENSIVE. Sadly this beer came with no sweetness at all in fact, "It's just bad. Ugh!" I don't care what Retha and Wes say, I am hijacking this rating. Despite any redeeming qualities that we could make up for this beer, it's expensive, large, and of the family Piss. I give it a 0 steins of 5... Yeah NO STEINS FOR YOU PISS BEER BITCH!