Dark Horse Octoberfest

Bottle. Poured an amber orange with a beige head. Aroma was full of grainy and malty notes with a light floral undertone. Flavor was nice with a bready touch with and undertone of citrus hops. Amazingly smooth on the tongue.

Growler from Schroppfy, some of which leaked out during shipping. Pours a clear, dark, reddish-copper hue. A small, bubbly, tan colored layer of foam leaves no lacing behind, though the growler likely had alot to do with that. The aroma shows loads of toast and caramel, very fresh and bready overall, with a smooth, dark cereal grain overtone and a delicate floral hopping. Flavors follow suit, really well balanced, with fresh cereal and toast malts, a hint of biscuit sweetness, and perhaps even the slightest little bit of burnt marshmallow. Floral hops lend balance, and a touch of wood brings in some earthiness. Medium-plus in body, smooth, and easy drinking, not a bit of the 8% ABV comes through. Damn, despite the growler leak, this might just be the best Oktoberfest I’ve had to date. Reminds me alot of the base for the Schlenkerla Fastenbier, obviously without the beechwood smoke.

Courtesy Beerlando. Dark cherry color with little head. Roasted grain, toffee, dark malt aroma. Taste is smooth woody, dark malt, bready with some bitterness in the taste. Really nice beer.

Courtesy Beerlando, from a somewhat compromised growler. Brown with a bit of off white carbonation. Great malt flavor, more similar to a dunkel than a lot of the festbiers I’ve had. Toasty and bready with mild bitterness. Medium body, smooth. Damn tasty.

From Growler - 2005. A powerful, spicey, malty, sweet powerhouse of an Octoberfest. As good as it gets - probably my ATF Fest beer.

Draft at darkhorse. Dark brown, hazy with cream head dissipating rather quickly. Nose was dry with hints of roasted nut and fruitiness. Somewhat dry finish, overal well done.

Draft at Dark Horse.Dark amber hue with a moderate off-white head that diminshed slowly with good lacing. Roasted sweet aroma. Medium body. Good well balanced flavor with a dry smooth long finish.

Tap, Dark Horse Brewery. Dark brown beer with a big creamy head that is mostly lasting. Aroma is floral with malty sweetness. Flavor is very big for an oktoberfest. Lots of hops and caramel malts. Finish is dry, nice mouthfeel. Not to style, but an outstanding beer.