Otter Creek Oktoberfest

Date September 6, 2010

Otter Creek Oktoberfest is the first Oktoberfest that we’ll be reviewing here at The Brew Club this year!  As I sample this beer, which is supposed to be enjoyed during the relatively cooler days of Fall, its just about 90 degrees outside!  So, while the timing and atmosphere might be just a little off, I’m going to power through for your sake!

Otter Creek Brewing OktoberfestIf you’re interested, BTW, you can check out our previous Oktoberfest beer reviews if you want to see what has been tried in the past.  We’ve tried a lot of them!

I’ll admit that I’m not overly excited about the Fall seasonal beers this year – be it the Oktoberfests or the Pumpkin Ales, but I have a feeling we’ll be looking at a few anyway so stay tuned!

The Otter Creek Oktoberfest comes from the Otter Creek Brewery up in Middlebury, Vermont.  Yup, another Vermont beer, but I think the first from Otter Creek to grace our electronic pages.  Technically, they are the same people who make the Wolaver’s Organic beers – but we won’t split hairs.

Their Oktoberfest looks nice enough – appropriately Autumnal-looking with its light-amber coloring.  Its nice and clear in my pint glass and creates an unimpressive off-white head that reduces to an enduring frothy ring.

The aroma is a bit on the sweet side, and its crisp.  I like it.  There’s a mild breadyness to the smell which is common for the style from what I remember from last year’s batch of Oktoberfest beers, and there’s a nice amount of malt in the aroma as well.  So far, I am liking this.

Taste.  Well I have to say I’m not disappointed!  The Otter Creek website (linked above) says that their 4.5% ABV Oktoberfest is “Brewed with Hallertauer and Tettnang hops to balance its clean, malty sweetness.” I’d agree completely that the hops nicely balance with the Munich, 2-Row, Carapils and Caramel malt that is apparently used.

There is a very nice mouthfeel – some body but not heavy or sticky, and the Otter Creek Oktoberfestaftertaste is also quite enjoyable with some lingering hop bite on the tongue.

As I mentioned, this is my first Oktoberfest of 2010, so the Otter Creek is the bar-setter I suppose for any Oktoberfest beers that follow.  I’d have to say that while the bar is not set to unreachable heights, its high enough to earn a 3 star rating from this beer reviewer.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

While Otter Creek Oktoberfest is a nice-tasting, and very well balanced beer, its missing that extra something that would make me sit up and say WOW!  Know what I mean?   So, if you see it, I’d say give it a shot – just don’t expect to be blown away, that’s all.

7 Responses to “Otter Creek Oktoberfest”

  1. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    Just a note – maybe I should have waited to drink this beer today! Its been a lovely, almost Fall-feeling Labor Day weekend here in NJ! Much better Oktoberfest beer drinking weather than last week!
    .-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Colette – Great Divide Brewing =-.

  2. Meile said:

    I think I had this one last year but I remember a different label. Did they change the label or am I remembering a different beer? I’d agree that this beer isn’t necessarily memorable, but it a good Oktoberfest still.

  3. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @Meile – nice to see you here again! I think you are right about the label. I looked around a bit and it seems this year is a new look for the Otter Creek Oktoberfest. I thought it was a very good, average beer! 🙂
    .-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Bells Oberon – For Whom the Bells Tolls =-.

  4. Jim said:

    I’ve tried a few beers from Otter Creek and have yet to go “wow” from anything they make. I’m not sure what it is, but their beers strike me as a bit boring. It’s probably just me, but I get a little of that from your review Scott.

    A good beer, but forgettable.

  5. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    Jim, strangely I think the Wolavers brews are much better even though they are the same company!
    .-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Newcastle Summer Ale =-.

  6. Royce said:

    The Oktoberfests are making an appearance! I will not be trying this one probably, but thanks for the review.

    I am interested to see what you find here, because traditionally I have not had great luck finding good Oktoberfest brews. Don’t know what it is, maybe it’s just me.

    Random aside for Bob the Brit – sounds like the UK pub and club scene is not doing so well, what with the UK recession and all:

    http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_37/b4194012951801.htm

  7. Scott-TheBrewClub said:

    @Royce – my pleasure! I’ve tried a bunch of Oktoberfests, and like most styles there are some better than others. Last year, my favorites were from Aryinger and Becks! Of the new batch this year, I’m liking the Sam Adams very much.

    The British Pub (and I guess club scene now) has been on the decline for some time now. I think the biggest loss is that of the local pubs that have been a part of small towns and villages for centuries. Once its gone, its gone. 🙁

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