Left Hand Brewing - Oktoberfest Review
Northern Colorado is something of a mecca for craft beer enthusiasts. This is coming from a Texan, so it must be true considering what a great craft beer scene we have in our own backyard, and how reluctant us Texans are to give credit elsewhere. But up there, where the Rocky Mountains bring fresh water down to breweries, and the endless sunshine grows waving barley, some companies have been cranking out fantastic brews for over thirty years.
One of those thirty year companies is Left Hand Brewing out of Longmont, Colorado. Left Hand is known for trendsetting, with their nitro beers and milk stouts making it into the fridges and hearts of many. So, when a trendsetter who sees the future and pushes boundaries steps back in time and brews a classic (even ancient) style, we step up to give it a try.
Left Hand’s Oktoberfest is a Marzen-style lager brewed with Munich and 2-Row malt and balanced with Apollo and Mt. Hood hops. It comes to us with a very worthy 6.6% ABV and 24 IBU.
The Marzen style is well-known and well-concocted in Europe, so I must admit our concerns run high in the Brew family when we see one of our favorites styles being replicated in America, even by such an iconic brewer. Will they follow the style? Will the strong and bitter Apollo hops overpower the malty kick we’re looking for? Will the mouthfeel transplant me to Germany?
Only one way to find out.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--It pours copper and clear and is topped with an off-white head that diminishes quickly.
On the Nose--Malt forward and bready with the Munich aroma leading the charge. It has a spiced citrus aroma, likely from the Apollo, with a floral aroma from the more noble Mt. Hood hops. Ready to go!
On the Palate--The malt depth is like walking up the stairs from sweet biscuit to rich, caramely, and almost roasty flavors of pretzel crust. And this malt depth lends itself well to the wave of citrus, floral, and spicy hop bitterness that balances the sweetness. Oktoberfest offers a full mouthfeel, as the Marzen-style should, and it finishes with a great dry finish from the lagering process. The ABV is a little high for the style, which is typically around 6%, but it is very agreeable and encourages chugging. The dry finish cleanses the palate and prepares the drinker for another bottoms-up.
Food Pairings: Pretzels, pretzels, and more pretzels, but don’t forget the grain mustard or the bratwurst and pork schnitzel on the side.
Final Thoughts:
I hate to say this about an industry I love and respect so much, but often American craft beer falls sorely short when approaching European styles with so much tradition and foundation. I can’t tell you how many times I drank an American imitation and thought it was pretty good until I tried the true German elixir. They weren’t even close.
Luckily, I didn’t have that feeling while drinking Left Hand’s Oktoberfest. It has all the malt depth I could ask for, as well as the full mouthfeel and bone dry finish. It is repeatable and fun to drink, and though it does have a strong hop presence from the Apollo hops, I think it is necessary to balance with the higher ABV which relates to increased malt presence. Very good stateside homage to an old world classic.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew