Dead Ringer Oktoberfest

10013926_10102205530007150_769096062495852709_nRating: 4/5

Dead Ringer Oktoberfest is a 6% Märzen / Oktoberfest.

Label:
Our Dead Ringer Oktoberfest lager is inspired by old-style Marzen brews customarily enjoyed during Bavaria’s world-famous beer festival. Thanks to an abundance of toasted malt and a lower hop bitterness, this dark reddish brown lager is loaded with sweet, caramel toffee flavors and aromas. All the taste and celebration of Oktoberfest packed into one bottle; no lederhosen required.

==Introduction==

I chose Dead Ringer to bring forth as I have never tried an Oktoberfest from Ballast Point. Ballast Point has made some great beers that I have enjoyed mainly in the past like their Sea Monster, Sculpin and Victory at Sea. I definitely wanted to try this one and bring it forth to see how good it would fare. It is never too late to enjoy an Oktoberfest even in November! Cheers!

Aromas:
Caramel, chocolate hints, biscuit bread, cereal graininess, apples, toffee, rye bread, drak fruit raisin hints, earthy hop notes, cinnamon, all spice, coriander, brown sugar, clove spice and apples.

Flavors:
Chocolate notes, caramel, vanilla, Cereal grain, toffee, biscuit bread, rye bread, dark fruit raisin hints, pecan pie, pretzels, earthy and grapefruit hops, citrus, black tea, clove spice, coriander spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, hazel nut, apples and toasted bread with grape jelly.

Aftertaste:
Citrus, caramel, toasted bread,earthy and grapefruit hop hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, easy to drink, clear to medium body and medium body feel.

Overall:
Very good Oktoberfest. This beer gets a lot better as it warms up but overall is easy to drink. You get more malt sweetness as it warm up. This a good beer to introduce people to craft beer. Especially during the Oktoberfest celebrations. While it is not the absolute number one in Oktoberfest, I think it is still very good and would recommend a try.

Anime Corner:
Asuka Shikinami Langley Sohryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion was chosen in this instance because of her mainly German roots and the fact that her suit holds some colors of the German Flag which is also a representative of the Oktoberfest. Because a skeleton is shown and Ballast Point is sea driven with pirates, fish, and skulls and crossbones, It would also fit as Asuka has an eye patch almost making her look like pirate. The combination fits as both Oktoberfest and Pirates party and drink happily!

Sources:
http://www.moeboard.net/static/data/table_moe/1414671842_fb01206d1d514e23e9e07312b145a795.jpg

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dark by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

Rating: 5/5

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dark at 5.3%ABV by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan is a world class Dunkelweizen or Dark Heffeweizen. Why is this one one of the best anyway? Well, it could be because it made in the German tradition using Bavarian yeast as well as made in the World oldest brewery (Since the year 1040). There is more to this beer that can be said about the best in Belgium. This is one of the best in Germany. Bavarian yeast is that special yeast that when fermented with malted wheat provides banana and clove flavors to a beer. So we get a greater amount of banana and caramel bread flavors with less bitterness as in other dark heffs. Although some citrus like sweet orange is there. Some dark fruit like raisins are also there but only notes of them. A more of a spicy and tart flavor along with a hint of chocolate from the roasted malts to give it a banana chocolate like after taste as well. Heffeweizen and even bready Belgium beer fans should try this one for sure, it is a very awesome beer. 

2011Review:
According to BeerAdvocate.com, this is at the top of the list for Dunkelweizzens of the world. I tried this with my friend Chino the other day. Like the franzinkanner but more emphasis on the wheat, banana, and clove flavors that make it different from other dark heffs. Unfortunately, unlike the number 2 on the list (Lips of Faith Dunkelweisse by New Belgium) this does not have as high alcohol (9%ABV) but regardless the flavor is really nice. Being a big fan of Heffs and Dunkels, I would highly recommend it 😛