Well, they’ve done it again. Devil’s Backbone brewery of Roseland, Virginia, has another success of a lager in Devil’s Backbone O’Fest, a Marzenbier-style lager similar to their wildly successful Vienna Lager.  I saw this on tap at Taco Mac and assume it is draft-only as there is little information about it anywhere, even on the brewery website.

From that website:

Help us celebrate the 205th anniversary of Oktoberfest! Rich and smooth malty notes dominate this traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest Bier. Ein Prosit!

Now, the 205^th anniversary of Oktoberfest was in 2015, so this beer has been brewed for two years now. A trip to the Total Wine website lists it only in kegs and only in Virginia.

Devil’s Backbone O’fest has an alcohol content of 5.9% by volume and 20 IBUs. I paid $6.50 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac, which is about $.75 cents or so overpriced I think, but then again this is a very limited run beer.

My mug of Devil's Backbone O’Fest arrived a beautiful chestnut color with a moderate head of creamy foam and a vibrant nutty malty nose. Taking a sip, the beer offers big bold dry toasty nutty malt in the palate, followed by a gentle hop bitterness that lets the malt shine even in the finish. A bit of Bavaria in every sip, this is a lovely example of the style.

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