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I will start by saying that I don't know how Gutmann is involved. I've never heard of them before, but they say on the can that this was a collab. That's the only indication I have that this was co-produced with any other brewer. They could pretty easily have stuck a little paragraph on the can to tell me why I should be interested in this or why it is important. Nevertheless, I know Sierra Nevada, and I expect good things from this Oktoberfest.
The respectably bronze beverage produces a white head that boils down to just a few scattered bubbles across the top of the beer and the expected ring around the sides. It smells of malt and spices, and it is exactly what an Oktoberfest should smell like. For quite a while, I didn't really understand why some beers were preferred during different months. Even growing up in a climate that was cold and hostile in the winter and baking in the summer, I didn't think that it would directly affect my choice of beverage. As I grow older, I realize the spiciness of the beer seems to meld well with the harvest time of the year.
First sip is honey malt and light spices. The malt may be carrying grains with it, or I may just be associating it with the grains that I know are being harvested at this very moment. It is not a demure beverage, and it sings out a song no matter who is listening. I still can't say that these are my favorite kind of beer, but I can see the beauty in them. This one is kind of pretty.
Tip-in is strong spices, grainy malt, and negligible carbonation. The middle is where this kind of beverage shines, and this one knows what it's doing. The sweetness of the malt mingles with the spiky nature of the spices and hops to bring about a personality that is hard to deny. The finish is spices on top of bitterness, but the spices are the only thing I remember as I go into the trail off.
Bottom Line: It's a decent way of welcoming in this time of year.
3.25/5
