Surly Oktoberfest
When this sample of Surly’s Oktoberfest arrived last week, I immediately had two thoughts. First, Oktoberfest!? Already? Second, hadn’t I reviewed this before?
To answer the first, the traditional German festival of Oktoberfest usually runs through the last week or so of September and into the first week of the next month, so Surly’s release isn’t extraordinarily early. Getting it on shelves now, means it’s rich, malty goodness will be just right by the time the party starts in ernest. For the second question above, no, I had not reviewed this 6% ABV brew previously – that was the company’s Surlyfest.
Now that we’re all clear, Oktoberfest is a fairly faithful take on the traditional, not something we always see from Surly. The beer comes at a time when my fridge is packed with hoppy IPAs, so something with a solid malt backbone was more than what I needed. Caramel, grain and bready notes dominate while a light sweetness, grassy hop notes and distant fruits mingle well within the balanced presentation.
This medium bodied brew goes down with incredible smoothness. The malt richness and sweetness are tempered by just enough of a hop profile to round out the entire experience. Oktoberfest finishes with a lasting, lightly drying finish with the moreish character that crave in an adult beverage like this, especially when it’s time to sit down with a handful of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Surly’s Oktoberfest despite the 90+ degree weather outside. Then again, I’m a sucker for a lightly rich and malty treat like this. The beer also reminded me that cooler months are on the horizon and I, for one, cannot wait to back my fridge with more examples of this style to keep my insides warm and happy.
I thoroughly enjoyed Surly’s Oktoberfest despite the 90+ degree weather outside. Then again, I’m a sucker for a lightly rich and malty treat like this. The beer also reminded me that cooler months are on the horizon and I, for one, cannot wait to back my fridge with more examples of this style to keep my insides warm and happy.
This is a review of a promotional sample.