Soul & Spirits "Danke" Oktoberfest

It seems a little out of season to be drinking in Octoberfest in in what is, as I write, mid-December. In fact, it's closer to the end of December now. I have quite a lag on the time between when I write one of these reviews and when I actually post them. I'm not sure why I maintain this buffer, but it kind of makes me feel better. I've had a few reviews in between the time that I had my first beer from these guys, and I'm not sure I entirely remember how good or bad that beer was. It's just as well, as every beer should have to stand on its own.

Well the beer certainly looks the part. The dark umber is close to brown, but it has just that shade of orange to it to make it feel alive. The head is pretty good right out of the can, but it's not so much that it overflows as I dump the whole beer out into this glass. The aroma is sweet, dark fruits, spices, and I think it's actually the right weather for this kind of beer right now. It was a little too warm during the actual Oktoberfest season.

I have grown fond of Octoberfests in the amount of time that I've had this blog. That said, the first sip does not make me love this particular one. The countenance is particularly watery, and brown sugar with stone fruit that doesn't really seem to be overpowering anything, even as the spices settled in. It's not that it's out right bad, but it seems directionless. Maybe it's direction is a full swig.

Tip in is brown sugar, spices, and bruised plums. The middle brings unexpected carbonation to the roof of the mouth as a dryness seeps in where I really expected it to become watery. Either way, it's not really a flavor. The finish is a bit more dry, and bitterness comes to join spices in an off-kilter attempt at a trail off.

Bottom Line: Maybe this shouldn't be in season.

1.5/5