Hyde Park Barrel 9 Octoberfest

Brewed by Hyde Park Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Hyde Park, New York USA

On tap tonight, which would seem a bit late for an Oktoberfest but given that the other reviewer nabbed it in late December, I guess it’s par for the course. Three of us in my party ended up splitting a pitcher, and by splitting I mean 2 of us suffered through it, one was unable to drink it, as it was just that abysmal. Pours a deceptively nice caramel color without much head. Smells rather sweet and malty. Tastes much like it smells... very sweet, as if a good chunk of the malt was never converted by the yeast, and the brew is flat. There is a hint of hops on an otherwise lackluster finish. I was sorely disappointed. The quality of the brews here have been in a steady decline over the last few years.

Well, this goes well in line with all the other crap at the brewpub. A little bit of diacetyl sprinkled in with faint caramel sweetness and a grassy dryness. This Octoberfest was on draft at Christmas time, which shows you how fast the stuff sells.
Brewpub sampler.