Try?
One thing's for sure: they know their beer in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee has one of the most storied beer histories in America, after all
(you didn't think baseball's brewers were named for coffee, did you?). And
while this city on the shores of Lake Michigan may be best known for its
megabreweries, it has it's share of smaller, craft breweries, too. One of
them is the Lakefront Brewery.
Lakefront produces a number of ales and lagers, many of them crafted in German styles. That should not surprise, since Milwaukee has a large German ethnic heritage, and shows it with a big Oktoberfest celebration every fall. Not to miss out, the Lakefront uppers up a classic German-styled Oktoberfest brew this time of year: Lakefront Oktoberfest Lager Beer
Here's what the brewery says about their Ofest:
This traditional lager is brewed with generous amounts of Munich malt, giving it a wonderful orange hue with a rocky, off-white head. Light hop aromas balance out a slightly floral nose from the German lager yeast. Balanced hop bitterness offsets the substantial malt body, while the lager yeast adds a subtlety of flavor that makes this a great rendition of a German classic. Prost!
Lakefront Oktoberfest Lager Beer pours to a brilliant orange color with a thin, short-lived head formation and an enticing, rather nutty malt nose. before I go on to regale you with my account of how the beer tastes, I'll let you know that I allowed my bottle to warm slightly upon removing from my beer fridge. I do this because I think the style benefits from it (and Lakefront agrees with me: they recommend serving at around 48 to 50 degrees). Remember, cool, not cold is our mantra, and with good reason: drinking your beer too cold numbs the taste buds, and in a delicate beer like a Vienna-Marzen Oktoberfest, that can be a sin, indeed.
Allowing the beer to warm, I'm liking what I taste: some very nutty, slightly chewy dark malt notes laced with just a hint of molasses and faint chocolate. The nuttiness is the hallmark of a good Oktoberfest beer, imparted by either a decoction mash, the use of Munich malt, or both. The finish is balanced somewhat with a light bit of hops, but very light mind you, and the beer finishes subtly sweet-malty. Alcohol is ever so slightly higher than average at 5.7% ABV.
In many ways, this reminds me of the classic festbiers (Spaten and Paulaner from Germany). To be sure, Lakefront's Oktoberfest still falls a notch short of those landmark brews, but I'll admit I'm reminded of them. A tasty, quaffable brew that fits right in with a plate of bratwurst and sauerkraut. Oom-Pah-Pah band wouldn't hurt, either, of course.
Lakefront produces a number of ales and lagers, many of them crafted in German styles. That should not surprise, since Milwaukee has a large German ethnic heritage, and shows it with a big Oktoberfest celebration every fall. Not to miss out, the Lakefront uppers up a classic German-styled Oktoberfest brew this time of year: Lakefront Oktoberfest Lager Beer
Here's what the brewery says about their Ofest:
This traditional lager is brewed with generous amounts of Munich malt, giving it a wonderful orange hue with a rocky, off-white head. Light hop aromas balance out a slightly floral nose from the German lager yeast. Balanced hop bitterness offsets the substantial malt body, while the lager yeast adds a subtlety of flavor that makes this a great rendition of a German classic. Prost!
Lakefront Oktoberfest Lager Beer pours to a brilliant orange color with a thin, short-lived head formation and an enticing, rather nutty malt nose. before I go on to regale you with my account of how the beer tastes, I'll let you know that I allowed my bottle to warm slightly upon removing from my beer fridge. I do this because I think the style benefits from it (and Lakefront agrees with me: they recommend serving at around 48 to 50 degrees). Remember, cool, not cold is our mantra, and with good reason: drinking your beer too cold numbs the taste buds, and in a delicate beer like a Vienna-Marzen Oktoberfest, that can be a sin, indeed.
Allowing the beer to warm, I'm liking what I taste: some very nutty, slightly chewy dark malt notes laced with just a hint of molasses and faint chocolate. The nuttiness is the hallmark of a good Oktoberfest beer, imparted by either a decoction mash, the use of Munich malt, or both. The finish is balanced somewhat with a light bit of hops, but very light mind you, and the beer finishes subtly sweet-malty. Alcohol is ever so slightly higher than average at 5.7% ABV.
In many ways, this reminds me of the classic festbiers (Spaten and Paulaner from Germany). To be sure, Lakefront's Oktoberfest still falls a notch short of those landmark brews, but I'll admit I'm reminded of them. A tasty, quaffable brew that fits right in with a plate of bratwurst and sauerkraut. Oom-Pah-Pah band wouldn't hurt, either, of course.
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
