So here I am on the Tuesday night before the season opener of the NFL.  I have tomorrow off, and really no money to go out and pay $8 for a beer worth drinking.

So, what do I do?  Buy some Sam Adams Octoberfest and get to work on some drinkfive business.  I'm taking this time out to share with you all my thoughts about this years seasonal rendition from the fine Boston Beer Company.  

First, a little knowledge for you: Oktoberfest is a 16 day festival held in Germany that dates all the way back to 1810.  It is the largest fair in the world, and rightfully so. There are 3 criteria for an Oktoberfest beer to be served at the festival: 1. It must meet the Purity Law (only use water, barley, and hops), 2. It must have an original gravity of 13.5 to 14 degrees (6% alcohol) and 3. Be brewed within the city limits of Munich by a Munich Company.  Pretty tough to get your average home brew in huh?

Anyway, back to the beer.  Here is my review:

Aroma: Very Malty, little hint of hops.

Appearance: Deep Amber color, amazing clarity to this beer, very clean

Flavor: Super sweet and malty, followed by a bitterness from hops.  The balance could be better. (the 2011 version was much better)  After taste is strong malt flavors.

Overall: Good for an Octoberfest beer.  I would buy it again, but I was looking forward to the 2011 taste and flavors when purchasing this time.  Certainly a very drinkable beer with a modest 5.3% ABV.