ironprog
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ironprog
updated a beer:
House Oktoberfest
brewed by Edmund's Oast Brewing Company
6 months ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5.5 | Flavor - 5.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 6.5
12 oz. can
5.0% ABV
Date: 07-14-2025. There is nothing to indicate what the date is for, so I will just assume that it is the "packaged on" date.
$13.99 6-pk @ Publix
AROMA: Sweet with a strong scent of apple, followed by moderate scents of pumpkin and allspice. I wish the apple wasn't quite so prominent, but the pumpkin and allspice make a fair showing. NOTE: As the cider warms, the allspice really starts to take over.
APPEARANCE: Pours a clear, golden brown. It looks a little darker than regular apple juice, but that's the only discerning difference.
TASTE: Sweet with a fair amount of apple flavor, followed by moderate amounts of allspice and pumpkin. Honestly, I don't get any pumpkin until the very end, and even then it is fleeting. However, in that short time that the pumpkin exists, I can readily taste it without having to search for it.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium-bodied with a somewhat smooth texture. I would rate carbonation as below average.
OVERALL: I don't drink a lot of ciders, but when I do, I usually enjoy them a lot. However, this one kind of leaves me on the fence. I think the biggest issue for me is that the apple flavor is so predominant and the pumpkin flavor is so fleeting. Basically, I want more pumpkin! The rest of the cider's characteristics are fine. Although, as I'm getting to the end of this one, I am finding it to become a little too sweet as it warms. So my advice is to drink it cold, and don't dawdle!
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8
12 oz. bottle
10.0% ABV
Date: 05-22-2025. There is nothing to indicate what the date is for, so I will just assume that it is the "packaged on" date.
$16.49 4-pk @ Publix
AROMA: Sweet with moderate scents of pumpkin which is then followed by hints of cinnamon. As the beer warms, I lose the cinnamon but get moderate scents of banana and nutmeg. Overall, the aromas are a little subdued, but very pleasant, nonetheless.
APPEARANCE: Pours a slightly hazy, medium amber-orange color with a 1 finger, off-white, coarsely-frothy head, that dissipates moderately fast with minimal lacing. It looks fine in my clear glass, I just wish the head lasted a bit longer.
TASTE: As the beer first hits my tongue, I get a fair amount of sweetness. As it transitions to the back of my throat, I get some nice sharpness, that helps to offset some of the sweetness. The main flavor is pumpkin. Which I really appreciate! In my book, if it says "pumpkin" in the title then that better be the main attraction! Other supporting flavors are, cinnamon, bourbon, vanilla, and allspice. Oddly enough, I don't taste the nutmeg even though I can smell it. The finish tends to be a bit "boozy". Especially, after the beer has warmed up.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium-bodied with a semi-course texture that gets a little smoother during the finish. I would rate carbonation as average. While it has a nice feel in the mouth, I would think that something a little silkier would pair better with the sweetness factor.
OVERALL: I really wasn't expecting much from this beer, but the more I sip on it, the better I like. Although, I think I am getting to the tipping point on temperature. When it was cold, the flavors were really subdued. As it warmed, the flavors really opened up without the beer becoming overly sweet. As it warmed even more, I started to get a higher sweetness level than I prefer. For me, I think the best flavor-to-aroma temperature is somewhere around 63℉. At that temperature, I was able to smell and taste, just about everything, without any one thing overpowering the others.
When it comes to pumpkin-pie-in-a-bottle beers, this is the type that I really like. Pumpkin is the star, with the other "pumpkin pie" spices being present without being overpowering. All-in-all I found the beer to be very enjoyable. Color me surprised!
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
12 oz. can
6.0% ABV
Packaged on: 07/10/25
$12.79 6-pk @ Publix
AROMA: Slightly sweet with moderate scents of malt, biscuit, and caramel. It's very nice, but a little subdued. As the beer warms, the malt and caramel aromas become more prevalent, but the biscuit ends up getting completely lost.
APPEARANCE: Pours a clear light-gold color with an extremely tall (like 6-fingers!!), white, coarsely-frothy head, that dissipates slowly with excellent lacing. It looks very nice in my clear Pilsner.
TASTE: I'm first hit with moderate sweetness and light flavors of malt, caramel, and honey. Which is then followed by a quick "bite" of light bitterness and then finishes with a bit more sweetness. Overall, I find the flavor-profile to be a little on the mellow side. While the flavors do bloom a little as the beer warms, they still stay a little too much on the subdued side for my tastes.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium-bodied with a somewhat smooth texture that gets a little silky during the finish. I would rate carbonation as average even though it feels a little soft on the palate.
OVERALL: I was really wowed by last year's (2024) collab version with Brauerei Gutmann. So I was excited to try this year's collab version with Störtebeker. Unfortunately, I liked last year's much better. This year's version, everything seems more muted (aroma, flavor, carbonation), and the flavors seem a bit more watered down. That being said, I still like this beer, and consider it a good beer for chilling out with friends. I just don't think I will be buying more of it this year. Whereas, last year's version, I bought several times throughout the season. Now if you'll excuse me, these go down so easy, I think I will go crack open another one. Prost!
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
16 oz. can
5.1% ABV
Note: I looked on every can and the 4-pk container itself and there is no information on any dates (Best By, Born On, etc.), nor any other type of batch-specific information (lot number, tracking number, etc.). In this day and age, I find that a little unsettling.
$10.99 4-pk @ Publix
AROMA: Sharply sweet and perfumed with scents of malt, honey, and orange zest, with floral undertones. I have to say that this is the first beer that I've ever had whose aroma made me immediately think of perfume.
APPEARANCE: Pours a cloudy reddish-brown with a medium (2-finger), medium-tan, tightly frothed head that dissipates somewhat slowly with moderate lacing.
TASTE: Slightly sweet on the front-end with mild bitterness on the back-end. Mostly flavors of malt and hops, but some minor flavors of honey and (oddly enough) lilacs.
MOUTHFEEL: Based off its looks, I was expecting a much "heftier" beer. However, this one is actually thin-bodied with a slightly "rough" texture. Carbonation is average.
OVERALL: Over the years, I've had a LOT of Marzens. And, for the most part, they are all very similar, with the main differences being the level of sweetness or bitterness. However, I'm finding this beer to be quite a bit different from the usual Marzens. Oh sure, the flavor is very familiar but there is something else that makes this beer stand apart from the others. It wasn't until I got to the end of the first beer before I finally realized what the uniqueness factor is ... it's the floral notes in the aroma and flavor! The floral factor isn't overpowering, but it is just enough, that you won't overlook it.
Now, I'm not saying that the floral factor makes this a better beer, just different. To be honest, I'm still debating whether or not I like having it in the beer. Sure, I like the beer, well enough. I'm just not sure if I would like it better without the floral notes. However, what I can say, without a doubt, is that the floral factor will make me remember this beer.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7
12 oz. can
5.5% ABV
PKG ON: 02/11/25
$13.99 6-pk @ Winter Springs Liquors
AROMA: Moderate scents of malt, dark chocolate, and medium-roast coffee. As the beer warms, I start to get minor scents of hazelnuts and dried grass.
APPEARANCE: Pours an opaque black with a short (1-finger), medium-tan, tightly frothed head that dissipates slowly with excellent lacing.
TASTE: Moderately bitter with moderate sharpness. Flavors of dark-roasted espresso, unsweetened dark chocolate and cocoa nibs. The finish is slightly dry with the espresso flavor being the last thing remaining. As the beer warms it loses some of its bitterness and sharpness, which results in the flavors becoming a little muddled. When the beer was cold, I could taste each flavor individually and distinctly.
MOUTHFEEL: Full-bodied with a slightly rough/tacky texture. Carbonation is average. About the only improvement I would suggest is for a touch more creaminess in the body.
OVERALL: This is a strange beer for me because I enjoyed the flavors more when it was cold, but enjoyed the aromas more when it was warmer. While I found that conundrum a little odd, I still greatly enjoyed the beer and would happily buy it again.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
12 oz. bottle
8.0% ABV
Date: 03/31/3025 (I'm assuming this is the bottled-on date)
$14.49 4-pk @ Publix
AROMA: Strong scents of bourbon and cherry followed by mild scents of vanilla and (strangely enough) chocolate.
APPEARANCE: Pours an clear dark-amber, with a thin, light-tan head that dissipates very quickly, with no lacing.
TASTE: I'm first hit with a fair amount of sweetness with a strong flavor of cherry. It then quickly transitions to a mild amount of tartness with mild flavors of bourbon, oak, and vanilla. The finish is slightly dry with just a hint more of that cherry tartness.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium-bodied with a slightly sticky texture. Carbonation is average.
OVERALL: Personally, I would have liked more tartness. Especially for something labeled "Tart Cherry". Having said that, I did find the flavor to be nice. It was sweet, but not overly sweet. And as the beer warmed, the bourbon and oak aromas really started to meld better with the flavors. Which made for a more enjoyable experience.