Blue Point Brewing Co., Oktoberfest

Grade: B
Blue Point Brewing Co.

Pours a light golden amber, very clear with an offwhite head that dissipates quickly. Malty sweetness with some of that lager sulfur are in the aroma, with some slight toast and bread following late. Mouthfeel is medium to light, with a much more aggressive carbonation profile than other Oktoberfest beers I've had. It lays a prickling tingle down on your tongue as you sip. The flavor is nicely sweet, with the caramels and the toffee you'd expect. The malt sweetness here isn't overpowering at all, between the lighter body and the acidic influence of the carbonation, it balances well. The flavor has that bread and toast you'd want from pilsner malts, but there's some kind of darker malt as well, lending a background element of roast that is just barely perceivable. There is bittering here as well, and some spice elements from hops are coming through.

While still not my ideal example of a Marzen Oktoberfest, Blue Point comes much closer to hitting the mark than the first two. Balancing the sweet flavors of caramel and sugar with the solid bittering and dry finish make this beer quite drinkable, and doesn't leave a question as to what kind of beer you've got in your hand. If I was handed a pint of this without seeing the label, I would be able to say this is an Oktoberfest style. Is it all that it could be? Maybe not. But so far, Blue Point takes the top place in this Oktoberfest tasting flight.