That's What She Said Product Reviews: Left Hand Brewing Company's Oktoberfest

Is there any better way to kick off the week than with a delicious Oktoberfest style brew? I have been sampling a number of both Oktoberfests and pumpkins this past week, all in the name of research I swear, and decided today was the day to roll with my first Oktoberfest review. Today's review centers on the brew I am currently enjoying, Left Hand Brewing Company's Oktoberfest.

Left Hand offers us this description of their seasonal brew:

"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!"

If that entertaining description doesn't get your attention, the totally rad art on the label certainly will! I have to admit, that is what initially drew me to this brew-the bright blue and white label featuring an insane looking sabertooth(?) cat. It is so far out of the norm for this style of beer, I knew that I had to try it. As for the beer, it is every bit as awesome as its label. Here are my interpretations of Left Hand Brewing Company's Oktoberfest Marzen Lager.

Appearance Oktoberfest Marzen Lager pours to a beautiful hue of copper that is topped with a smallish, but ample, tan head that likes to linger for a bit before melting away to a scant bit of laciness. I don't say this very often about a beer, but this truly is a beautiful pour. 

Smell I didn't notice much smell coming off of this beer after I poured it, but after letting it open up for a bit, I noticed a bit of malt, yeasty baked bread and a hint of toffee. 

Taste The taste of Oktoberfest is more up front and in your face than its aroma, but I still found it to be a subtler mix of bread, malts and a hint of caramel. The finish of this beer is where it truly excelled with flavor for me-more bread, a delicious spiciness and a touch of hoppy bitterness. None of the flavors overpowered another and I felt that blended together deliciously.

Mouthfeel This beer felt "just right" on my tongue, it wasn't too heavy nor too light. Instead, it fits well with the well balanced aromas and flavors mentioned above and it goes down smooth. The finish is a bit dry and the spiciness likes to linger long after the beer is gone. 

Overall Impression I can't say that left Hand Brewing's Oktoberfest is my favorite of this style of beer, but it definitely in my top 3. I found it to be very well balanced in every way. If you are new to the world of Oktoberfest, this beer is a bit heavier than many of its style, but I think that is part of what makes it stand out so strongly to me. Oktoberfest is obviously brewed with the annual German celebration in mind, and it would pair well with roast chicken, pretzels with whole grain mustard, sauerkraut and schnitzel. If you enjoy cooking, I would highly recommend working this brew into some of your fall recipes for a deeper flavor profile.

For more information about Left Hand Brewing Company, please visit their website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.