The calendar may say November, but Oktoberfest beers are still kicking around both at the liquor store and in my beer refrigerator. That’s a good thing, I think, because I do so enjoy these nutty malty delights that combine the best of drinkability and flavor. They’re perfect for this time of year, too, when the days are still warm but the nights cool, and getting colder.

A new Oktoberfest beer for me this year is Blue Point Oktoberfest, from the Blue Point Brewing Company of Patchogue, New York. Patchogue, of course, is not pronounced Patch-o-goo. It’s pronounced Patch-awg. If a bottle of this German-styled beer makes it to Germany that might drive the Germans nuts, sticklers as they are for consistently phonetic spelling. Imagine that.

Anyway, Blue Point calls itself “Long Island’s Brewery”, and we’ve been seeing lots of their beers here in Georgia lately, both in bottles and on draft. I love the label for this one, resplendent as it is with its images of quaint German houses, the colors of the German flag, the Alps, and ornate lettering. Of the beer, Blue Point says:

Originally brewed a couple hundred years ago to celebrate the betrothal of the Crown Prince of Bavaria, we’re helping keep the tradition alive by brewing it every fall for all of our royal/loyal followers. We continue the celebration by traditionally brewing this special malty amber lager in August and September. Blue Point Brewing’s Oktoberfest lager is stored cold for two months to ensure its distinct smooth flavor. Join us for a pint (or several) and celebrate the coming of Fall!

Blue Point Oktoberfest is about average for the style at 5.5% alcohol by volume. One quibble with the label I have is it says “Craft Brewed Micro-Brau (USA) Extremely Fresh”. How do they know when the beer will be bought or imbibed? There is no freshness dating on the label to tell you exactly how fresh it is. Anyway, Blue Point Oktoberfest runs $9.99 a six-pack in Atlanta.

Blue Point Oktoberfest pours to a light amber color, indeed it seems but a shade or two above golden, with a moderate foamy head formation and a soft toasty biscuit nose. Taking a sip I get a little toasted biscuit malt, slightly nutty even, but not so much as one would find in say, a German Oktoberfest brew. There’s definitely more sweetness here as well, a decided honey-malt flavor comes through on into the finish. I’m not getting more than a bit of very subtle grassy hop aroma and bitterness, and this one finishes on the sweet side.

I would buy this again for the luscious sweet honey malt character. As an Ofest, though, I think I preferred the Boulevard Bob’s ’47 Oktoberfest I enjoyed a few days later. If I was in an Oktoberfest mood I would prefer that one, or better yet a genuine German brew, with my bratwurst and sauerkraut.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 



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