Stegmaier Oktoberfest

Stegmaier Oktoberfest pours a vibrant copper to amber color.  A white head sits atop and gradually recedes to a healthy rim.

A notable dose of butterscotch, caramel, and alcohol in the nose.  Hops pull through to sharpen the tones, as well as a mild graininess as the brew warms up.

In taste, it's hoppy up front, with a sweet/malty middle and finish.  Caramel and butterscotch/diacetyl.  Some alcohol definitely comes out in the finish.

Feels medium bodied, slightly syrupy, and active from the hops & alcohol.  Moderate carbonation in my opinion.

Not a bad Oktoberfest by any means.  It took me a few tries over the past month, but after a summer full of pilsners and lighter styles, I'm just now starting to dig the marzens this season...

Beck's Oktoberfest

Appearance: Dark amber/copper. Solid head retention. Deep enough to avoid the label of being transparent.

Smell: Sweet malts and caramel. Toasty.

Taste: Hoppy all around. Hops drive the taste, with a notable malt backbone to pull it all in. The malts add to the flavor in a more pronounced fashion than they add to the body. Still, medium bodied. Some caramel in the taste, but very reserved.

Drinkability: I'm very impressed by this beer. It's so accessible, I had to pick up a single at $1.75. Beck's Oktoberfest redeemed my faith in the style. Whether at a festival or hanging with friends, I could drink this all day or all night. Try it for yourself.

Founders Dirty Bastard

Appearance is cloudy, with an array of hues that make the beer look delicious and inviting.  A fluffy nougat head on top.  A dark brown to mahogany glow to the bottom of the glass.  The smell is unbelievable.  Sweet fruits to a chocolatey, malty backbone.  Taste's earthy.  Not quite what I was expecting.  A lot of hoppy bitterness.  Hot alcohol.  Malt and grains somewhere in the mix.  Definitely a sipper.  As it warms up it tastes more and more like bourbon or a brown liquor.  Have a good night...

Hook & Ladder Backdraft Brown Ale

Appearance:  Deep, dark brown; almost black.  Creamy off-white head recedes to a modest, but worthy remainder.

Smell:  Caramel; very malty.  Smells like I could chew it.  Hints toward milk chocolate.

Taste: Malty, but attenuated.  Enough hops to add bitterness & balance the brew.  Some alcohol also shows up to tango with the hops.

Mouthfeel:  Wet & not interfered with by the body the smell suggests.  Medium-heavy body.  Pardon my redundancy: attenuated.  Mild astringency from the alcohol or hops?  Got me.

Drinkability:  Wish I could walk into any bar & find this on tap.  I'd drink several pints & sleep like a baby.