Profiled by Maria Devan
Rockin’ the night life, haunting with the ghosts and hootin’ with the night owls.
Spaten Oktoberfest. I have been waiting while you all have been drinking this beer.
Color is perfect copper. Khaki head that lasts well. Vibrant hues . Nose is rich bread, mellow depth. A bit toasty. Spicy hop without extravagance. Dry herbal, peppery floral. No off scents.
Drinks hearty with a touch of spice to finish it moderately dry. Biscuity breaddy smooth and with a toastiness that is dry and hearty with flavor like the crust on brown bread or soda bread. Melanoidin character marries earthy softness from hops. herbal is a sweet coolness. See how the hops are also a part of the mouthfeel. Balanced bitterness leaves you with a mild tingle. The bjcp describes the malt in this style as soft, elegant and complex.
It is 5.9 percent and that is the reason it’s a “fest” beer. There is a bit of strength. The richness from malt balances the little extra alcohol. Let’s say in matters of taste 5.2% is a good strength for a lager beer. That LITTLE bit of alcohol. .6 allows for a bigger malt with a little bit of sweet nature to it. That is melanoidin character and it is soft and elegant.
Cheers!
4
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
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Maria Devan lives in Ithaca, NY and is a great beer writer. That’s Maria in the middle. The other two are not, but they are lucky to have her as a friend.