Weyerbacher AutumnFest (2012)

I notice a lot of American brewers don’t even bother making an actual marzen-style lager for the autumn. Brown and amber ales seem to be valid substitutions for the season, and I’d say Weyerbacher AutumnFest is a step above your average Oktoberfest.

NOTE: read (and watch) my 2008 review here:
http://www.chadzbeerreviews.com/2008/10/weyerbacher-autumnfest-ale-chadz-beer.html

3.5

   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20

Chad9976 (742) - Albany, New York, USA - OCT 18, 2012

I poured a 12oz bottle into a tumbler.

Appearance: Perfectly amber color with slight reddish/brown highlights. Forms an average size, white, foamy head which mostly dissipates but does leave some lacing on the glass.

Smell: Toasted malt and light nutty fragrance. A hint of floral freshness, but nothing noticeably sweet.

Taste: This beer is pretty much the epitome of the standard fall seasonal. It’s certainly reminiscent of an Oktoberfest, but it’s an ale so it lacks the overt lager characteristics. They also seem to be going for a smoother palate rather than anything overly sweet. Instead of caramel and toffee it’s toasted amber malts and chestnuts. A consistent subtle bitterness throughout the palate, perhaps a tad spicy, but nothing overboard. Certainly more hop presence than your average marzen. Weyerbacher AutumnFest is a mild beer for sure, but not so mild that it’s flavorless. I’d certainly prefer more sweetness or more aggressive hoppiness, but this is pretty decent for what it is.

Drinkability: The clean, mild palate and smooth drinkability make Weyerbacher AutumnFest an easy beer to drink. A fairly short body with a soft mouthfeel and a perfectly clean finish leads to a refreshing drinking experience. It has more flavor at only 5.4% ABV than most of the German lagers with higher potency. This is a great transition/introductory craft beer for newbies. Drinkers of all calibers should have no problem throwing back a few bottles of this.

 Grade: 6/10