Dogwood Octoberfest
Review Date 9/17/2002
Try?
Re-buy?
Traditionally,
fall has always been my favorite time of year, and for good reason. The
weather becomes cooler (and more comfortable), the football season begins,
and Octoberfest beers make their annual appearance on beer retailer shelves.
I have always loved these malty, nutty tasting delights, and I’m always on
the lookout for new ones to try.
I have lived here in Georgia for two years now, and have discovered the only bottled local Octoberfest brewed here in the Peach State is Dogwood Octoberfest. Dogwood is based in Atlanta, and to say the least I have been extremely impressed with every one of their beers so far. Each is true to style, robust, and delicious.
The ingredients and recipes used have a lot to do with that. Let’s take a look at the Octoberfest, for example. Dogwood brews their fall seasonal with pilsner, Munich and Caramunich malts, a good start for any Octoberfest brew. Mt. Hood hops are used for bittering with Saaz thrown in for finishing. German lager yeast is used and a cold aging serves to smooth the beer out.
Last year, as you may recall, I was a bit perplexed by this beer. Oh, it was a good enough beer to be sure, but it wasn’t what I would call a classic Octoberfest lager. Here are my notes:
Dogwood Octoberfest pours to a bright orange color with a light head formation and a robust malty nose. The palate has a deep nutty malt flavor to it that is right on target for what one might expect in a classic Octoberfest. But wait! There’s more! A floral, fragrant, and pungent hoppy flavor that is out of place in an Octoberfest. In fact, this beer tastes somewhat like Orval, a classic and very unique Belgian ale.
Many consider Orval an acquired taste, and you might feel the same way about Dogwood Octoberfest. If you are an Orval fan, you’ll be delighted to know you can buy a six-pack of this beer for what a single bottle of Orval will cost you. As for authenticity, the hop character renders this year’s batch the least true of any beer I’ve tasted from Dogwood. That said, it’s still a delicious brew, complex and of superior quality.
It may seem strange for me to say that hops are out of place in a beer, but then beer is a rather complicated drink. I drank a glass side by side with three other fall favorites, the ubiquitous Samuel Adams Octoberfest, rich and full of Crystal malt sweetness; a nutty malty classic, Paulaner Octoberfest; and finally the seemingly lighter (this year) Spaten Oktoberfest.. Dogwood’s hoppiness again seemed a tad out of place, even more so after tasting these three malt delights. I kept getting the infamous "Gout d'Orval" (Orval flavor).
So is it a bad beer? Not at all. Just something different for your fall imbibing pleasure. Try one and see for yourself.
I really thought this was strange, and I gave the beer a three star rating. I’m glad to say, however, that Dogwood Octoberfest is back on track this year. It’s everything a German beer lover could want in a Fest beer, and more.
The 2003 Dogwood Octoberfest pours to a bright orange color with a medium head formation and a lightly fruity, delightfully nutty malt nose. The palate is firm and full in mouthfeel with an underlying caramel character and lots of nutty, toasty notes. This is a very malty brew, but its also remarkably dry, finishing with a lingering toasted nut flavor and a very gentle but balancing hop bitterness. I think the hops have been toned down a bit from last year, and the beer is much better for it.
I have lived here in Georgia for two years now, and have discovered the only bottled local Octoberfest brewed here in the Peach State is Dogwood Octoberfest. Dogwood is based in Atlanta, and to say the least I have been extremely impressed with every one of their beers so far. Each is true to style, robust, and delicious.
The ingredients and recipes used have a lot to do with that. Let’s take a look at the Octoberfest, for example. Dogwood brews their fall seasonal with pilsner, Munich and Caramunich malts, a good start for any Octoberfest brew. Mt. Hood hops are used for bittering with Saaz thrown in for finishing. German lager yeast is used and a cold aging serves to smooth the beer out.
Last year, as you may recall, I was a bit perplexed by this beer. Oh, it was a good enough beer to be sure, but it wasn’t what I would call a classic Octoberfest lager. Here are my notes:
Dogwood Octoberfest pours to a bright orange color with a light head formation and a robust malty nose. The palate has a deep nutty malt flavor to it that is right on target for what one might expect in a classic Octoberfest. But wait! There’s more! A floral, fragrant, and pungent hoppy flavor that is out of place in an Octoberfest. In fact, this beer tastes somewhat like Orval, a classic and very unique Belgian ale.
Many consider Orval an acquired taste, and you might feel the same way about Dogwood Octoberfest. If you are an Orval fan, you’ll be delighted to know you can buy a six-pack of this beer for what a single bottle of Orval will cost you. As for authenticity, the hop character renders this year’s batch the least true of any beer I’ve tasted from Dogwood. That said, it’s still a delicious brew, complex and of superior quality.
It may seem strange for me to say that hops are out of place in a beer, but then beer is a rather complicated drink. I drank a glass side by side with three other fall favorites, the ubiquitous Samuel Adams Octoberfest, rich and full of Crystal malt sweetness; a nutty malty classic, Paulaner Octoberfest; and finally the seemingly lighter (this year) Spaten Oktoberfest.. Dogwood’s hoppiness again seemed a tad out of place, even more so after tasting these three malt delights. I kept getting the infamous "Gout d'Orval" (Orval flavor).
So is it a bad beer? Not at all. Just something different for your fall imbibing pleasure. Try one and see for yourself.
I really thought this was strange, and I gave the beer a three star rating. I’m glad to say, however, that Dogwood Octoberfest is back on track this year. It’s everything a German beer lover could want in a Fest beer, and more.
The 2003 Dogwood Octoberfest pours to a bright orange color with a medium head formation and a lightly fruity, delightfully nutty malt nose. The palate is firm and full in mouthfeel with an underlying caramel character and lots of nutty, toasty notes. This is a very malty brew, but its also remarkably dry, finishing with a lingering toasted nut flavor and a very gentle but balancing hop bitterness. I think the hops have been toned down a bit from last year, and the beer is much better for it.
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
