One of the best things about the fall is the different offerings of Oktoberfest style beers that are offered. Shiner Oktoberfest is among those offerings. Their Oktoberfest clocks in at 5.8% ABV and, of course, is only offered in the fall.
Shiner Oktoberfest pours a color that is in between copper and amber but is clear with some light carbonation rising to the head that rose to a little over one finger at its height. The beer looks great in the glass. The head did start deflating rather quickly.
The aroma is somewhat subdued for an Oktoberfest. There are notes of hops and grain that one would expect with a German beer it just isn’t as prevalent.
The first sip offers notes of grain, some hops, and some caramel sweetness. There is a note of smoke that can be found as well. No one flavor dominates. In fact, they blend together in this rather pleasant, albeit mild, mixture. It is dry and smooth on the tongue with a somewhat creamy finish.
As the beer drank the flavors stayed consistent. The glass laced moderately and the carbonation level stayed level throughout the process.
Overall this is a good beer. It isn’t as in your face as some Oktoberfests can be with their malt and grain. Shiner has always produced good beer and this is no different. While this Oktoberfest might not be your typical Oktoberfest recipe it is true to the style and very smooth. This is a beer you can drink all night and the only real knock on it is that it isn’t offered year-round.