Derek Warren

DRINK IT DOWN: Octoberfest by Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)

DRINK IT DOWN: Octoberfest by Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)
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Prost! Prost! Prost!

Beer: Octoberfest

Brewer: Boston Brewing Company (Samuel Adams)

Style: Märzen/Oktoberfest

ABV: 5.30%

Description: Sam Adams Octoberfest pours a deep red amber hue that has all the colors of fall, with a rocky, slightly beige head that leaves a thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is malt forward with rich toasted caramel malts and a subtle earthy noble hop spice note. The taste is dominated by the rich and creamy malts up front and also on the back end. The sweet caramel and toasted malts wash over the palate, and the subtle spicy hop notes provide balance. This combination gives the beer a surprisingly crisp finish, which is unusual in a beer this smooth. The medium-full body and moderate carbonation give way to a refreshingly dry finish that leaves you wanting more of this delicious beer.

The balance within Sam Adams Octoberfest is what truly makes this fantastic and also showcases a truly smooth beer. The slight hop bitterness is paramount to keeping the malts in check and allowing this beer to be so very enjoyable. Prost!

Food pairing: The sweet malts within Octoberfest make this a phenomenal beer to pair with rich and hearty fall favorites this time of year. Burgers are typically thought of as more of a summer favorite, but they are great any time of year and are even better with Octoberfest. If you want to truly one-up your burger and beer game, top your burger with bacon and pile it high with toppings for some contrasting flavors with pickles, jalapeno peppers, and barbecue sauce.

If you are looking for a bit of a healthier option but want to stay in the burger world, a turkey burger topper with avocado and turkey bacon also makes for a great and slightly healthier dinner. Meat focused stews and thick and creamy chowders are also great for the approaching cool fall evenings. The options are endless with either, but meat-based variations are best. Wild game is also a nice pairing, especially wild boar, elk, and venison. These meat and beer pairings are made even better when experienced in sausage form!

The final word: IPAs are still the darling style in the craft beer market and will remain so year round. However, during the fall there truly is nothing more enjoyable than relaxing with a smooth and creamy Oktoberfest beer. Sam Adams has a slew of incredible and delicious beers to enjoy all year, but their Octoberfest is truly one to behold. It is not only a world-class representation of the style, but it is a world-class beer regardless of any beer style. Load up on this one now before the fall season quickly passes us by!

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Where can I get it? Currently available in 12 oz. bottles at: Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer (720 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre), Kildare’s Irish Pub (119 Jefferson Ave., Scranton), Brews Brothers (1705 River Rd. #3, Pittston), Sabatini’s Bottleshop & Bar (1925 Wyoming Ave., Exeter), Tomato Bar & Bistro (7 Tomato Festival Dr., Pittston), Arena Bar and Grill (380 Coal St., Wilkes-Barre) and Wegmans (1315 Scranton Carbondale Hwy., Dickson City) and (220 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre).

Drink It Down is a weekly column that doesn’t just review beer – it provides the full experience of going out and enjoying a quality craft brew. Look for it on Mondays exclusively on NEPA Scene.