Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest

On tap at PP Carlsbad a few weeks back. Color was a rich orange. Aroma of caramel, citrus and crisp malt; a touch bready. Flavor was crisp; caramel, bready and nothing all that special. Expected a bit more.

Pours a rusty light brown with small head. Nose is weak, hints of the oak, slight mildew smell. Taste is boring, but easy drinking. hints of oak, bread, biscuit, light toffee, and wood.

On tap, LA Beerfest 2009. I’d wanted to try this one for some time. Color is brown, with a small head. Aroma is a homey blend of malt, earth, and caramel. The flavors start incredibly mild . . . not really what I had expected or wanted. Wood is definitely present in there. I finished my four ounces without much of an impression of this beer. Why? I’m going to reason it was underwhelming.

Enjoyed on tap at Papago. Poured medium golden color with thin white head. Nose was very clean with a whiff of malt. Palate had the malt focus as well, with a sweet oak sort of dryness in the background. Overall though it was still somewhat light bodied and easy drinking.

Lovely orange/brown color. Very rich taste. A little on the sweet side and a little sparkly. Well rounded with nice amount of warming alcohol.

Draft @ Pacific Coast Brewing. Pours a clear, tarnished orange color; off-white head with good retention and fine-bubbled lacing. Bland aroma of basic maltiness and no hop character to speak of. Lively, solid carbonation: candy sugar, oranges, touches of lightly syrupy honey; unbalanced, sweet with just a bit of acidity trying to hold things together. Basic, bland Oktoberfest. Medium finish: lasting sweetness, candied oranges, and a light mineral bitterness.

Draft at Toronado. Amber color, off white head. Aroma is lightly malty, lightly hoppy, caramel. Taste is a light roasty maltiness, earthy, light caramel.

Clear light orange with a fizzy white head. Slightly citrus hops aroma. Sweet malt nicely balanced with a hoppy spicy kick.