Left Hand Oktoberfest

Left Hand is based in Longmont, CO and I try to sample new beers from them as they are a very good brewer.  Now is the time of year that the weather starts to change and I get in the mood for a nice Oktoberfest-inspired beer.  Oktoberfest (6.6 ABV and 24 IBU) is a marzen style beer that is a tribute to Oktoberfest.  This beer is available for a limited time and you’ll need to obtain some soon as it will be gone from the shelves all too quickly.

Marzen / Oktoberfest - http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/29 - BeerAdvocate

Appearance - Copper / Amber (think of a shiny new penny)  that is perfectly clear with a small head.
Aroma -Bread and caramel with a little hint of earthy notes and spice.
Taste - Ahh, this is a nice seasonal beer that should be consumed this time of year.  The focus is on the malt and the focus is on bread and caramel and think of this going with the food of Oktoberfest - roasted pork and oxen, sausage and other goodies from the Fatherland.
Overall - B+ - This is a very tasty American version of the Marzen and I really enjoy it.  I say pick up a 6-pack while it is available.  Very easy to drink and it will go great with Oktoberfest fare.

Website description - “This is no festivus for the restuvus - on the contrary - we start brewing in the Spring and it takes a full two months to reach lagered perfection.Biscuity, malty goodness dominates upfront while the noble pedigree hops lend a properly spicy, dry finish. Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi. Time to roast your chicken and upend your stein before the air gets crisp, the leaves flame and fall and the skies fade to black. Auf geht's!”

Left Hand Oktoberfest - http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/beers/oktoberfest

Great Divide - Hoss

Great Divide’s Hoss is a Rye Lager with and ABV of 6.2% and IBU of ??.  Great Divide describes Hoss as “based on the Marzen lagers of Germany. Rich, layered malt notes, with hints of cherry and dark fruits, dominate, while the unique addition of rye imparts a slightly earthy, spicy character. Hoss finishes crisp and dry, and its brilliant red-orange color is a toast to the sunsets that make the perfect backdrop for this beer.”  This is a very accurate description of this beer and at first I was taken back by the flavor, but it grew on me as I sampled the beer.  I thought this would go great with a Rueben as I could pick up on the rye notes in the beer.  Hoss has won a number of awards for Great Divide and this is a unique beer with the addition of the rye.  I have not tasted anything like it.