The Great Lakes Brewing Co. from Cleveland, Ohio is proud to present its Oktoberfest brew – a classic Märzen / Oktoberfest-style beer with a rich malt flavor, balanced perfectly with fragrant noble hops. The perfect beer to celebrate the fall season!
This special beer is hand-crafted using traditional methods and ingredients which have been used in Munich breweries for centuries. During Oktoberfest, only beers from these breweries may be served at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest celebration), making this beer an authentic part of any festivities.
The amber lager has all the malty sweetness one would expect from an Oktoberfest beer, complemented by a floral hop aroma and bitterness that's just enough to balance it out. It's ideal for thse looking for a slightly stronger beer without too much alcohol. With 5.8% ABV, it's strong enough to keep you warm during the cooler months but light enough for easy drinking.
You can taste all the hallmarks of an Oktoberfest brew: notes of caramel, biscuit and nuts on the palate as well as some herbal hoppiness that adds complexity and depth to this classic style of beer.
If you're looking for an authentic experience this fall, grab yourself a six-pack of Great Lakes Brewery's Oktoberfest brew! It won't be around forever so make sure you get your hands on it while you can – cheers!
The Flavor of Great Lakes Oktoberfest Beer
Great Lakes Oktoberfest is a Märzen / Oktoberfest style beer brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland, OH. Märzen / Oktoberfest beers are traditionally full-bodied lagers with a toasty, malty flavor and a deep amber color. The maltiness of the beer is balanced by a subtle noble hop bitterness. Great Lakes Oktoberfest is an excellent example of this style, offering smooth malt flavors with just the right amount of hop bitterness to create a beer that is both flavorful and highly drinkable.
Is Great Lakes Oktoberfest an India Pale Ale?
No, Great Lakes Oktoberfest is not an IPA. It is an amber lager that has a rich malt flavor balanced by fragrant noble hops. IPAs are typically known for their hoppy flavor with a bitter finish, which is not the case with Great Lakes Oktoberfest.
The Alcohol Content of Oktoberfest Beer
Oktoberfest beer, also known as Märzen in German, is traditionally a slightly stronger beer than other German lagers. The Reinheitsgebot, or German Beer Purity Law, requires that all beers brewed in Germany be made with only four ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. The additional malts used in Oktoberfest beer create a higher alcohol content than other German beers. Generally Oktoberfest beer has an alcohol content of 5.8-6.3% ABV (alcohol by volume), compared to 4-4.8% for the average German lager.
Is Oktoberfest an Ale or Lager?
Oktoberfest beer is a traditional German lager. It features a deep golden hue and a malt-forward flavor profile. The beer is brewed with classic lager yeast, which ferments at colder temperatures than ale yeasts. This process results in a crisp, clean finish with light hop bitterness. Oktoberfest beers typically have an alcohol content between 5-6%. While the style has evolved over time, it still retains its characteristic lager characteristics that make it one of the most popular seasonal brews in the world.
Conclusion
Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest is a classic Märzen/Oktoberfest beer that is perfect for celebrating the fall season. It features a rich malt flavor that is balanced by fragrant noble hops, giving it a smooth and enjoyable taste. This beer can be compared to the great Munich breweries' traditional Oktoberfest beers like Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest is an excellent choice for any celebration or just to enjoy with friends.
