Beer Review: Beck's Oktoberfest

I examine another Marzen/Oktoberfest beer with a look at one of the largest imports to the U.S., Beck's Oktoberfest. If you have already rolled your eyes at the thought of an tasty Oktoberfest from the same brewery that produces the skunky sub-premium pilsener normally associated with the Beck's name, then I invite you to give Beck's Oktoberfest a chance.

I poured a 12 oz. bottle of Beck's Oktoberfest into an Imperial Pint glass. This certainly looks the part of a traditional Marzenbier, as this is the deep amber hue that one would expect. The nose is surprising spicy and floral (perhaps some Saaz hops?), not really what I expected. Thankfully, it is not skunked despite the green bottle from which it was liberated (more on that later).

It looks and smells the part. But what of taste? Well...it's true that I don't think this is as rich and malty as one might want in an Oktoberfest. That is not to say that it is not flavorful of that it doesn't taste good, however. Indeed, this is a pleasant mix of dextrin sweetness, a bit of toastiness and nuttiness, and again, a prominat herbal/spice hop note. It's actually quite well balanced and I could see myself enjoying quite a few of these. Call it "Oktoberfest Light", if you will. It is not as rich and malty as other German examples of the style, but it is quite a nice beer, and supremely drinkable.

I happened to pick up a very fresh sample that had not yet been exposed to light (thanks to the beer steward at my local Whole Foods Market). I recommend you do the same. Beck's continues the unfortunate practice of putting their Oktoberfest beers into the same green bottles that house their pilsener, and given the hop presence and subdued malt profile of the beer, this could easily have been overwhelmed by skunking.

Despite the mild deviation from the style and poor packaging practices, I'm going to recommend this beer. No, it's not quite the same beer as some other German Oktoberfests, but it is an enjoyable beer. Just be sure to ask for it fresh from the stockroom, if possible, or at least don't grab one from the top shelf under the lights.

Beer: Beck's Oktoberfest
Brewery: Brauerei Beck & Co.
Style: Marzenbier/Oktoberfest
ABV: 5.0%
Score: 85 (out of 100)