Linenkugel’s Oktoberfest Lager
Part of the 2008 Oktoberfest Horizontal series
A case full of $35 worth of different “Oktoberfests” – some of which are true Marzens, and some are “inspired” by them, or “marzen-style” lagers or ales.
Are many of these going to suck? Oh yes. But also in that box are beers like the Ayinger Oktoberfest, one from Hofbräu, and one potentially interesting beer from Flying Dog.
Ian reviews them all. Which is the best? Stay tuned to find out.
Right now: Linenkugel’s Oktoberfest Lager.
Seriously, two “Oktoberfest” Lagers in one night? This is probably a bad idea.
Oh well, we do this in the name of beer, and sometimes that requires sacrifice.
As you can see, it has a fairly light red color.
But initially I notice an interesting nutty aroma, and it has some of that flavor too. A medium-light mouthfeel, which allows the malt to really pop out in your mouth.
You won’t mistake this beer for a proper Marzen, but its not awful. It almost tastes like a brown ale more than an Oktoberfest.
Its not amazing either, but in a bar I might pick up a bottle if there wasn’t much of an alternative.
Don’t go out of your way, but don’t avoid at all costs.
3/10
[...] Ugh, another “Oktoberfest-style” lager. You know though, it beats the last two. [...]
that sucks your’e still drinking ocktoberfest beer. What happened to the winter beers?
Well, our original plan was to do a shoot-out style tasting of these back in Sep/Oct, but it fell through. Now I have a case full of Oktoberfests, so I’m working my way through them. I figure, why not blog them too? No reason not to.