Left Hand - Oktoberfest

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Left Hand Oktoberfest
Left Hand Brewing Company
1265 Boston Avenue
Longmont, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.lefthandbrewing.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Amber and translucent.
Malty sweet smells. Minimal hops aromas. Notes of caramel.
Tan colored, two finger head that lasts to the bottom of the glass.
Rings of lacing down the side of the glass.
Rich roasted malt and chocolate tastes, moderate carbonation.
Medium to full bodied mouth feel; pleasantly warming aftertaste. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Left Hand makes some darn fine brews. This one is no exception.  There is however a malty sweetness to it that I don't expect of an Oktoberfest style. Let's just call it a modification. This does enhance the flavor and makes for a great brew, but as for a traditional Oktoberfest style, I found it probably wouldn't make a session beer for my tastes.  The sweetness is fine, but keeps coming. Maybe a bit more finishing hops would change my mind.

All in all, I really liked the beer and would recommend you try it to see what Marzens can be, given variation and interpretation by each brew house.

Hofbrau Oktoberfest

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hofbrau Oktoberfest
Hofbrau Brewery (Staatliches Hofbräuhaus)
Platzl 9
80331 Munchen (Munich), Germany
Est. 1589
www.hofbraeu-muenchen.de
and 
www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden yellow color that's clear but translucent.
Malt and hops zip in the nose with malts leading.
White, one-fingered head that leaves spotty lacing.
Moderate carbonation.
Light bodied. Very easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
The Oktoberfest originated in 1810 in Munich Germany as a wedding celebration for the crown prince Ludwig of Bavaria.  This product was created especially for this event and is brewed usually for the Oktoberfest, now the largest beer festival in the world. Hofbrau Munchen is one of a selected group of breweries granted the privelidge of supplying the Oktoberfest with their products.  Using the highest quality ingredients HB's Oktoberfest specialty has its own distinctive and unmistakable taste. 

...so says the back label of this delicious Oktoberfest. It is a fine example of the style.  Soft maltiness greets you upon the first sniff and at the tip of your tongue.  A light bodied, easy drinking sip will slide down the back of your throat and reveal just a touch of hops on the finish, smoothing out any over sweetness from the malt. It makes the beer easy to drink, but hides a slightly elevated ABV at 6.3%.  If you think about Oktoberfest, in Germany, what you are looking for is something light, tasty and also gets you, umm shall we say, in the fest mood.

Some might be inclined to say that it is just average for an Oktoberfest, but remember who the maker is - - Hofbrau. They have been at this for quite a long time.  The style has varied greatly by other brewers. This will bring you back to center, so you judge how others have tinkered in the style.  Put this beer on your 'must try' list for Oktoberfests to serve as an example of what the style is supposed to be like.

Note of caution: This is best served fresh, lest the green glass bottle 'skunk' the beer.  Happily, that was not the case with this batch.

New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hoptober Golden Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale yellow and clear color.
Fruity, bright hoppy nose with grainy malt tones.
Fluffy bright white head.  Two finger high and draped lacing.
Tart, fruity taste of apple/pear with hops and malt.
Moderate carbonation.
Light, refreshing clean taste. Mild hops bounce at the end.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It's been quite some time since my last New Belgium beer. Too long.  This bottle depicts several silhouettes engaged in various activities from hula-hoops to unicycles to dancing.  They are gathered around what appears to be a bonfire.  'Hoptober' hints at "Oktoberfest" in the name, but it's nothing like an Oktoberfest brew. And perhaps that's just what they set out to accomplish.  Rather than embrace the coming of cooler weather with the seasonal fall change by offering a traditional maltier Marzen style, it would seem that the folks at New Belgium are holding on to the dog days of summer with a light, almost saison style beer.

The bottle states it uses five kinds of hops and four malts. Again, Oktoberfest beers are typically just a nudge on the maltier side.  All those hops only bring in a modest 40 IBU's and really round out this fruity flavorful beer.  I also noticed on this 12 ounce bottle, a neck ring bulge in the glass, reminiscent of Westvleteren bottles. Truly, in the end analysis, it is not an Oktoberfest but an American Blonde Ale.

I like the juxtaposition. If that's their aim, then they hit the bulls-eye.  Nice job.  Grab one before Indian summer runs out.

Saranac Octoberfest

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Saranac Octoberfest
F.X. Matt Brewing Company
811 Edward St, Brewhouse Square
Utica, NY USA
Est. 1888
www.saranac.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper amber color.
Malt and dry spice on nose with hint of hops.
Off white, almost tan, two finger head with irregular bubbles.
Malt and hops are balanced but not too pronounced.
Average carbonation.
Light to medium body. Gets better as it warms.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Today marked the beginning of the Autumnal Equinox. The official beginning of fall. Football, raking leaves, pumpkin and spice in the air - - - and all that...

Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest.  177 have been held in that 200 year span in Germany, the country of origin. Well, I say, " HIP HIP HOORAY! BRING ON OCTOBERFEST!"

Marzens are my favorite style because they are flavorful, easy to drink, light in ABV and they throw the biggest effin' party for beer around the world, just to celebrate this style.  They go well with footbal in the backyard, lawn chores or that get-it-in while you can last days at the beach.  When done right, they are enjoyable with great food of any style or straight out of the carton on their own.

Saranac makes one that is pretty close to the high water mark, even for an American made Octoberfest. Saranac's Octoberfest is made with a generations old recipe right from the motherland, so it should be good. And it is.  So good, in fact, they truly have "Limited Release" on the label.  That's important as some brewers make this style all year long. In days of yore, these beers were crafted in March (Marzen) and lagered all summer awaiting the fall celebration.

So remember, there may only be 92 days until Christmas, but it's the most wonderful time for a beer!

Upslope India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Upslope India Pale Ale
Upslope Brewing Company
1501 Lee Hill Road - No.20
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 2008
www.upslopebrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Opaque copper color.
True hoppy IPA nose with sticky pine smell.
Two-finger tan colored head. Slowly dissipates and stays to the bottom of glass.
Nice hops sting and bite. Mellows when warmer to a malt character.
Medium carbonation.
Medium mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Surfing the booths at The Great American Beer Festival this September, I found a wonderful IPA. So enamored with it, that I made the trip through the line 4 times!

The first thing you notice is the punch of hops to your nose. Okay, so that's how an IPA is supposed to be, right?  I hear ya'.  But the brew is wonderfully balanced.  A creamy sweet maltiness comes through towards the end.  This is especially true if you allow the beer to stand for a bit towards the end of the glass.  Really a remarkable play between the hops you expect and the malt you never see coming.

Going back to Colorado soon.  You can be sure The Reaper will be examining a few more of their offerings.  Cool too, that they are canning beer. I like that.

Big Sky - Moose Drool

Dead Moose

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Big Sky Moose Drool
Big Sky Brewing Company
Missoula, MT USA
Est. 1995
www.bigskybrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Gorgeous mahogany brown with clear ruby toned edges.
Malt, with caramel sweetness. A bit of dry nutty spice to the nose.
Two-finger tan colored, rocky head. Slowly dissipates leaving a complete cover.
Malty with a caramel sweetness that is very pleasant on the tongue.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Light mouth feel. Super easy to session.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Just back from GABF in Denver with the latest haul of beers.  This was one I literally intended to "hunt down" while visiting.  I must say it lived up to the billing.  Moose Drool is one of the best tasting 'browns' I've come across.  It has such a pleasant malt smell and is low in ABV making for a perfect session beer.

The sweetness of the malt seems to be balanced by a hops and carbonation brightness that tickles your tongue. And although it leads with the malt flavor, it achieves a nice balance, sort of like a big bodied moose on those spindly legs.

So the next time I'm in Colorado, there will be more of this stuff coming back with me.  Bag one for yourself.

Abita Satsuma Harvest Wit

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Abita Satsuma Harvest Wit
Abita Brewing Company, LLC
Abita Springs, LA USA
Est. 1986
www.abita.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Lemony yellow, straw color; bit of haze.
Pleasant citrus orange-like aroma with wheat and hint of spice.
Two-finger head that mellows to a wisp leaving scant lacing.
Very refreshing leaving pleasant sweet aftertaste of citrus.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Light and airy mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is an extremely fine refresher, whether it's a hot day outside or just as a switch up between sessions of hoppy beers.  I found the Satsuma to be satisfying and easy to drink.  The satsuma makes the wit especially pleasant in aromas and in taste.  Very unique.

Simply put, I can imagine this being my new go-to beer at the beach, by the pool or after cutting the lawn.  ABV is a very modest 5.1% so it wont slow down your day.

Hooker Hop Meadow IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hooker Hop Meadow IPA
Thomas Hooker Brewing Company
16 Tobey Road
Bloomfield, CT USA
Est. 2006
www.hookerbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear amber brown color. 
Floral hoppy nose with just a hint of malt.
Long lasting head that is tightly bubbled.
Ringed lace down the glass.
Medium hops burn; very well balanced with malt.
Medium mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I was looking for something different and chose from the "New Arrivals" at my local watering hole.  An IPA is always in order, so I asked for the Hooker behind the glass fridge door.  No, not that kind of hooker...it turns out this beer is from my old home state of Connecticut and named after none other than the Puritan Rev. Thomas Hooker.

Well now, that makes the second surprise brewery find in a month coming out of CT.  I might not have left the state had these couple of breweries opened sooner, rather than later.  At least they are exported to my new home in the south and that works out fine.  The beer is a fine IPA with a unique hop flavor that appealed to me.  I found it was on or above par with a lot of other IPA's in the marketplace.

Huzzah for the home boys of Connecticut! Keep up the fine work and keep shipping it my way.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Breckenridge Brewery
471 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.breckbrew.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rootbeer color.
Smell of malt and vanilla sweetness on the nose.
Tan head, about one finger high, covers to wisp.
Fair amount of lacing down the side of the glass.
Vanilla taste flirts through the malt body.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A super porter with the great taste of vanilla added.  I have tried this both in the bottle and on draught, with my preference leaning toward the draught pour.  But by no means does that diminish from the bottled version.

This porter exclaims that it's "Remarkable" and "Partakable" and also that it's "Seldom Seen and Never Duplicated".  It reads and sounds like the sideshow barker at your local carnival or county fair.  Whatever the pitch, go try some of this special porter made with real vanilla.  Oh so good!