Why is Yuengling Oktoberfest Beer like Heinz Ketchup? No, it’s not because they’re both from Pennsylvania, if that’s what you’re thinking. The answer is: Anticipation. I say this because just like those old ketchup commercials, Yuengling has been making me wait for some time for this beer. Yuengling, of course, is America’s oldest brewery, founded by German immigrants in 1829. In keeping with that heritage, lagers are their forte (even their Lord Chesterfield Ale is a lager). So it only makes sense that they should brew up an Oktoberfest beer, after all.

I’ve been drinking Yuengling Beers, including their delightful Porter (again a lager), for 30 years now. That’s a long time to wait for an Oktoberfest beer, though I’ll admit that I only recently gave the notion much thought. Almost two years ago Yuengling rolled out a bock beer, and I wondered then if Yuengling Oktoberfest would follow the next fall. I was off by a year, but very excited when I learned in August of 2011 that the beer was indeed on the way.

Yuengling announced the new beer would be released on draft at the end of August, but no mention of bottled product. They even tweeted the event. Would my local Taco Mac get a keg, perchance? I checked their website religiously, scanning over the new draft keg listings to see. And you know, my diligence paid off as in mid-September the keg was listed. I went that weekend to see if it had been tapped. And the next weekend. And the next. Still, no Yuengling Oktoberfest ready to pour.

Indeed, it wasn’t until October 7^th that I actually got to try this beer.  You might think it’s not odd for an Oktoberfest beer to actually be sold in October, but truth be told the Germans start their celebration in the middle of September. At any rate, having waited this long, let’s try the beer and see how it is, shall we?  

My mug of Yuengling Oktoberfest arrived in all its splendor with bright caramel, slightly erubescent color, a light creamy head formation, and a soft nutty malty nose. I didn’t hesitate to take a sip and dove right in, for which my palate was rewarded with delicious toasty-nutty Munich malt flavors. Up front, this is all malt, perhaps not as robust as the original German Fest-Marzen beers or even some of the Americans. It does thin ever so slightly in the finish, which is balanced but not all that hoppy.

Overall, I found this to be a very drinkable, delightful Oktoberfest-Marzen beer that I would certainly drink again. It was worth the wait, and I was very pleasantly surprised indeed when I got the check: just $4 for a pint or, in my case, 20-ounce mug. In these days of $6 to $7 pints (and higher), I found the price, like the beer, very refreshing.

Update 9/12/2012: This year, Yuengling Oktoberfest is available in six-packs. I get the same toasty nutty flavors as I did last year on tap, with caramel and a gentle bitterness in the finish. Not as robust as some examples of the style, but a wonderfully drinkable, soft malty delight perfect for fall weather. And at $6.49 a six-pack, a real bargain to boot. Ein Prosit!

Home