Our top three beers, all American, are excellent examples of the style. The No. 1 beer, Octoberfest from Thomas Hooker, was beautifully balanced with each flavor component melding into a delicious, refreshing whole. The No. 2 beer, the Festbier from Victory, was similarly balanced with a barely noticeable touch of licorice among the flavors, while our No. 3, the Dogtoberfest Marzen from Flying Dog, was a trifle more assertive, without overdoing it.
Three of the German beers made our top 10, including two of the Munich six. The Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen had a bit more complexity than some of the other beers, along with an unusual floral quality.
While the aroma seemed quite sweet, there was no sweetness on the palate. The Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest was, as were all of our favorites, well balanced, with slightly more richness than the Paulaner but less complexity. Our third German brew, Beck's Oktoberfest, was something of an interloper, coming from the northwestern port city of Bremen. It had a bit more bitter hop flavor but was well integrated and enjoyable.
Three of the German beers made our top 10, including two of the Munich six. The Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen had a bit more complexity than some of the other beers, along with an unusual floral quality.
While the aroma seemed quite sweet, there was no sweetness on the palate. The Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest was, as were all of our favorites, well balanced, with slightly more richness than the Paulaner but less complexity. Our third German brew, Beck's Oktoberfest, was something of an interloper, coming from the northwestern port city of Bremen. It had a bit more bitter hop flavor but was well integrated and enjoyable.