Weyerbacher Quad - Abbey Style Quadruppel

You could sniff this baby out from across the room, almost wine-like in its aroma. The taste is similar to a classic barleywine, the hue a deep mahogany.  The familiar tang of Belgian ales, balanced by the taste of raisins, currants, and figs. The 11.8% ABV causes hoppy fumes to tickle the back of the nasal passages. A little on the sweet side, might make a great substitute for wine with a holiday meal.

Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale

Not technically an Oktobefest, but similar to one. Widmer Brothers actually classifies it as an Altbier.

The color of a shiny new penny, with a minimal head. Apparently filtered, you could read the proverbial newspaper through it. Lots of sweetness, with a strong caramel taste. The hops are there, but don't hit you until the back end. Not a bad brew, but kind of disingenuous to suggest that it's an Oktoberfest.

Belgo: Belgian Style India Pale Ale

As I stood gazing at the collection of Fall seasonals and Oktoberfests, I heard the still, small voice of Belgo calling to me: a Belgian style IPA? Stranger things have happened.

Belgo pours a foggy butterscotch hue, with a two-finger head. The hops clamor for attention, but not with the usual grapefruity taste, more of a passion fruit or mango in the mix, maybe a little pineapple. The creamy banana of a Belgian Wit comes in with the aftertaste. All in all a great combination of two great styles.

Shock-Top Pumpkin Ale

So is this Jack's Pumpkin Ale in a new bottle, or is it a completely different beer? Anheuser-Busch introduced the Shock-Top brand as a new label for a previously seasonal offering, Spring Heat Spiced Wheat, although they're calling it a Belgian White these days. I think that AB is using the Shock-Top label as their "cool" brand.

Shock-Top Pumpkin Wheat pours cloudy, with the hue the color of pumpkin pie and a light toffee colored head. The pumpkin taste is understated with contributions from nutmeg and cinnamon. Very easy drinking, as many AB brands are, but without the depths or complexity of the crafts. Good for two or three at a sitting.

Schell's Octoberfest

Poured a kind-of caramel color, with an off-white head. Fairly heavily carbonated; middle of the pack as far as Octoberfests go. A little sweeter than I like my Märzens to be, but still a rich malty taste. A hint of roasted nuts and toffee. At 5.5% ABV, hearty, but not overwhelming.

Anchor Humming Ale

From the Anchor Steam Web Site:


Humming is an ancient term, used centuries ago to describe both ales and beers. Although its origins are shrouded in mystery, it suits this bold hoppy ale, which we have created to celebrate the anniversary of our first brew...


Sometimes I think the beer companies just make this shit up!


Nice carbonation, pours a clear, golden color with a tall frothy head. The first thing that I noticed was the distinct hoppiness, with a floral-citrus accent. This beer is offered in the fall, but tastes to me like a summer beer (which is apropos since it is kind of warm today). I'd classify Humming as a pale ale. Very cool and refreshing with the peppery stew that I'm eating with it. 

Odell 90 Schilling

Dark copper in color with a light brown frothy head. Billed as a light amber ale, it tastes kind of like a mild porter, with distinct maltiness. Got a suggestion of roasted barley. Easy on the hops. Wouldn't mind trying out more than one of these at a sitting.

Odell Easy Street Wheat Beer

Pretend it's not cold and raining and thinking about frost, a summery beer is just what the doctor ordered. Pours a brilliant golden hue, with a medium head; cloudy with sediment. A light citrus taste brightens things up, although there isn't as much "wheatiness" that I've come to expect from a wheat ale. Crisp and light in body, great for a few after a hard day's work.

Point Oktoberfest

Pleasantly surprised since I haven't been too impressed with Steven's Point Brewery in the past. Poured a bright gold, unusual for an Oktoberfest, but the depth of flavor belied the appearance. Heavy malt character, with some hop bite to it as well. Overall a pretty solid Marzen.

Shiner Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest are traditionally lagers, but this one calls itself a seasonal ale. Despite that, it appears to be a lager, clear, snowy white head, and light crisp taste. A little bit of nuttiness, but kind of thin and weak. Inoffensive, but nothing special.