Samuel Adams Octoberfest

This 5.3% ABV beer is a seasonal release from the Boston Beer Company of Boston, Massachusetts, the makers of Samuel Adams beers.  Here it is early August and we have the Octoberfest beers coming out.  By the time it is really October, the winter seasonals will be coming out, and on and on through the seasons.

The beer pours a deep orange/amber/copper in color.  It is vigorously carbonated, with a tall head of creamy and foamy off-white head.  The aroma is malty, roasted and toasted, caramel, but also with a substantial bright and grassy hoppiness.  There is also a fruity tart note.  The taste is much more malt forward than the aroma, it is roasted and toasted, caramel.  There is a nearly burnt undertone which is somewhat off-putting.  It manages to be both flavorful, yet slightly watery at the same time.  There is a tartness which is nice in the aroma, but not match as well in the taste.  There are many better Octoberfest beers out there, this one has to be called disappointing.