Old Dominion Octoberfest

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

Pours a dark coppery amber with a decent white head that doesn’t stick around too long. Aroma is strongly malty with a yeasty hint and a subtle earthy undertone. Flavor is malty and a little earthy, with what may be a touch of cloves and just a whisper of sweetness. Texture is nice and smooth, not very tingly.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Excellent offering from the tap at Old Dominion. It draws a nice deep amber / coppery color with a nice head and lacing. While complexity is not really apparent, the flavor is quite nice.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Clear, darker amber with a small head and moderate lacing. As expected, a sweet, malty aroma. Mouthfeel is nice, not too watery or syrupy, and with plenty of carbonated tingle. Flavor is okay, but nothing outstanding; I'd prefer more emphasis on the malt up front.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 10

This is Dominion's fall seasonal, and they pay tribute to Octoberfest with this exceptional beer. Dominion uses the decoction method in brewing this beer, and it really shows. I have stated that Victory Festbier might just be the best domestic example of the style I have had. Dominion Octoberfest is every bit as good as Victory, and to my tastes, over the years it has gotten better, and I enjoy it more so than Victory. Dominion does use imported German malts and hops in the brewing of this beer, and it definatley shows. This is a very accurate example of Octoberfest/Marzen, and is quite delicious. It is a notch below the Germans in my opinion, but in the top tier of domestics. This beer pours to a bright amber color with a nice white head, and good carbonation. The nose is very malty. The "toasty" malt character is there, as well as nutty malt aromas. The palate displays more great toasty and nutty malt flavors. The body is firm, clean and round. This is a very good, hearty, drinkable beer. It might seem like I am repeating myself, doing reviews of other Octoberfests/Marzens, but in this case, that is a good thing. This is what Octoberfest/Marzen should taste like, and Dominion Octobfest delivers. This beer finishes malty, and has just the right amount of hop presence to balance this beer out. Octobefest/Marzen showcases malt, if you want to know what toasty, nutty malt flavors and aromas are, this beer is a great example to show you just what an American brewery's take on Marzen is. A hearty, and delicious beer, this goes great with of course German fare, and roasted meats and fowl. I would also use this as an ingredient, and pair it with a hearty beef stew. Great fall seasonal, from a great brewery.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Yawn. Very disappointing. I've always liked the Dominion brews, but this one didn't do it. Poured orangish color with little head and lacing. The taste was malty, but very little spiciness at all. I prefer a subdued Octoberfest (don't like em overly spiced), but this had next to nothing. Mouthfeel was a tad flat. Taste had a bitter finish .

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

2006: Changed from last year, much much more hoppy (in a good way!) this time. Less watery. Cool. Amber in color, it pours with a nice head. Nice lacing, but watery when you finally get right down to it. Hoppiness galore, but still...watery. I had higher hopes, but alas...I can't wait to be done and get on with the next.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Clear orange color with a slight bit of red hue. No head. No lacing (the glass was clean as a whistle after each sip). The aroma was somewhat bread like with caramel malts detectable (right on for the style). The finish was bitter and hoppy and there wasn't enough spice going on for me for an Oktoberfest. Mouthfeel was flat. Medicore for the style, but as it warmed it got better (minus the flat mouthfeel).

Aroma: 2 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 4

Rerate. Was 9/8/6/4/7/3.4 on 5/25/05. 10th of the Killer Case Club, Round 2: Fall favorites. Enjoyed at midnight with neighbors, sitting around the firepot under a full moon. Packaged 2 months before tasting into a 12 oz. brown bottle with an attractive, fall colored label. Pours clear and bright red amber to deep orange, perfect color for the style. Good fast-fading foam, no lace. Smells faintly of dishwater or a slightly sour dishrag. Taste is as expected for the style: malts in the frontwith a fairly full mouthfeel. Has a bitter, stinging backbite and a strange, soapy aftertaste. Nice fireside beer, but not going to win any contests. The color is the best thing going for this beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

A very well made and tasty O'fest. Pours a bright clear orange with ample head and carbonation. Aroma is biscuity and sweet caramel, with a light floral hop aroma. Flavors start caramel sweet and finishes smooth with a light hop character. Not bad, a good session ale, but a bit unchallenging.