November Beer of the Month: Sam Adam's Octoberfest

November's beer of the month was actually tasted in October. Like finally getting this post itself written, it takes me a while to get my paper-based tasting notes in order sometimes. One of the many Sam Adam's beers that I carried home from BrewNZ, the Octoberfest was easily one of the better ones (I wish I'd got my hands on the Double Bok, which was absolutely superb).

Straight to the RateBeer notes:
Tasted 20/10/2006. 120z bottle from BrewNZ. Pours a luscious and lambent red-gold, quite bright, with an off-white head that’s tending toward light tan. Head disappears but leaves a fair amount of lacing behind. Clean rich malt aroma - freshly milled toasty pale malt - with underlying hints of fruitcake, wood smoke and lemony herbs. Off-dry in the mouth, toasty malts dominating, then the soft bite of slightly herbal hops coming through at the end. Pretty clean, though a subtle malt sweetness lingers on the palate. Medium-heavy with a medium carbonation. An absolute treat. I can only imagine what this may taste like fresh from a good tap. (4.3).

New Zealand's Vienna/Marzen/Octoberfest offerings seem so lightweight, poorly made and stale in comparison (can you believe a beer from America would seem fresher than one brewed in the South Island).

The Sam Adam's brand, from Boston Beer Co, is an interesting business model. Part of me loves the idea. Another part hates what they're doing. It's worked well and they make a few mighty fine beers, so I guess I can sleep easy... for tonight.

The only other beer of significant note, in a quietish November, was Epic Mayhem (4.0). I still suspect it was a blend of Cock and Bull Monk's Habit and Epic Pale Ale but I'm not sure I'll ever find out. I've not asked the brewer because I doubt he'd admit it.