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As I write this, I am in the proper time for an Oktoberfest. It is not quite October, but my reviews are so late in getting published that it will inevitably be just past October by the time you read this. Don't cry for me, as I will have enjoyed this and many other beverages between now and then. I have found myself getting into the habit of checking the "best before" dates on cans right before I do a review, and this is good until January of next year, so that gives me four solid months before this would have to get tossed out. So, at least I know this is fresh, and Brooklyn should be able to do something with an Oktoberfest.
If you handed this to me and told me it was an Amber ale, I would not have disagreed. It is quite amber in color, and the head sticks around quite a bit. The lillypad that's left on top lets me know that carbonation is still there underneath, maintaining a nice place for frogs to sun themselves. The aroma is quite faint, but it brings wood and exceptionally light spices. I don't know why this doesn't have much of a smell, but I expect it to have quite a bit of a taste.
Brown bread and spices lurk underneath a whole lot of water. This isn't as bold as other Oktoberfests, and this really seems very muted. Generally, I'm used to these beers being sweet and strong to complement the cooling seasons of fall, and they fool the taste buds into believing that the beer is warming you up. It's certainly not the 5.5% alcohol that's going to be warming me up, and so far the taste isn't even waking me up. Perhaps a full swig will be better.
Tip-in is very light carbonation with brown bread and a little bit of toffee. The middle is somewhat predictably watery with caramel and toffee upfront and light hops lurking in the background. The finish is where the spices finally come in in the grains grip them tightly for slightly better trail off.
Bottom Line: Not the best, but it will do in a pinch.
2.25/5
