Octoberfest

Source Photo from Sam Adams web site.

I love nothing more than cracking open that first brew of the fall season. And being a huge Leinekugel fan I was out to find something different.

The popularity of Samuel Adams peeked my curiosity. As the bartender poured my first glass you can instantly see the dark ruby red color fill. The color quickly fades into a crisp copper looking beer with a very small head. The aroma was kind of a citrus and caramelized sugar with a distinct malt flavor.

And the taste being pretty close to a sweet citrus malt. Put them all together and you defiantly have that  wind blowing in the colored leaves on a gorgeous fall afternoon feel and taste. This is truly a fall beer and can defiantly be enjoyed on a fun football Sunday with the guys or while raking the yard.

I would rate Samuel Adams Octoberfest a 3.5 out of 5.

Make sure to check out the other blog's for www.countdowntohalloween.com 

*I love how a beer review gets to start out my Count Down To Halloween 2014! Tomorrow Family Fun Night.

Halloween Count Down Day 14 Foodie Friday

Swirly Pop Foodie Friday!

One of the many enjoyments of the Autumn season is Oktoberfest and the wonderful beers that it brings. Now you can pick up a true German beer year round with Spaten's Oktoberfest  which is a true  Märzen. Most American company's fall a little short in this area.  But among most German's this is the beer of choice.

When it comes to American beers Samuel Adam's Oktoberfest would be what most pick up. Here in the midwest, the buzz is always on Leinekugel's. Brewed in  Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. With a solid ABV of 5.10% is not for the light at heart.

This beer pours a clear, bold gold with a thin head that quickly disappears. Its aroma is of nuts, bread, and toasted malt. The flavor is nutty with notes of toast and spice with a mild hoppy tang in the finish. The mouthfeel is light-medium. Leinenkugels Oktoberfest is a good beer, balanced and a great match for schnitzel and sauerkraut.

This year I did manage to try a new Oktoberfest Brew from Boulevard Brewing Company in Missouri. The company started back in 1989. With over 26 beers in their portfolio, I can't believe I missed this.

A pretty good looking Oktoberfest brew. Amber-orange and clear, good light tan head and pretty good lacing.

Smell is light and malty, nutty, caramel, bread, and slightly sweet.

Taste is pretty good, lots of great caramel malts, a touch of bready and toasty flavors, a good amount of sweetness, some nuts, and some floral notes, and decent hops. Pretty balanced for the style and generally quite enjoyable. There was a light caramel aftertaste that was hard to deal with at the end. Other then that is a good Oktoberfest Marzen Beer.

I do look forward to there Nutcracker Ale that will be out for the holidays. 

Thought it would be nice to sure a recipe for Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest.

Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest-Infused Brew Brats
For some crisp-weather grilling, try this seasonal brew-infused recipe.
1 dozen brats
Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest
1 medium-large sweet onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
2oz butter

Place brats in a Dutch oven with sliced onions, peppers, then cover the brats with Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer until brats are cooked.
Remove brats and set aside remaining beer mixture.
Grill brats until golden brown and return to beer mixture until ready to serve.