Lakefront Brewery - Oktoberfest

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

This Wisconsin take on an Oktoberfest pours a medium amber body with orange highlights. The medium-sized light tan head has a somewhat creamy consistency. While light on retention, the foam produces semi-thick and layered lacing on the glass. The nose is dry and slightly earthy. Mild caramel sweetness hovers below a lagery nose. A minimal astringency lingers on the aroma.

Airy and velvety carbonation contrasts the slightly nutty and damp woodiness of the foretaste. Caramel sweetness is pronounced, produced along side bread-like toasted malts. The beer has a semi-sour grainy finish and a lingering grain mash sweetness. A dash of hops adds a slight dryness to the finish that remains on the aftertaste.

Final Verdict: B

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company - Oktoberfest

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. twist-off bottle, poured into a Mark Twain pint glass

Originally founded in 1867, Leinenkugel, based in Wisconsin, was purchased in 1988 by Miller Brewing Company (now itself a subsidiary of brewing behemoth SABMiller). Much of its beer is still produced in Chippewa Falls, WI. Their Oktoberfest beer pours a light amber body with a moderate gold glow. The medium-sized light tan head has a creamy appearance and solid retention. Lacing on the glass comes in large swathes. The nose is sweet and grainy with light caramel hints. A slight sour grain funk seems a bit out of place for the style, but a moderate mustiness gives the lager a somewhat traditional feel.

Smooth and plush carbonation gives the beer a feeling of big body, but not of substance. A light hopping is dry, but the dusting seems overshadowed. The beer's malts are prominent, but not bold or defining, although a mild spiciness adds a hint of depth to the palate. The overall flavor of the beer seems to evaporate quickly leaving a dry, slightly dissatisfying aftertaste.

Final Verdict: C+

Schaefer

Schaefer

Purchased From: Plumsted Buy Rite Liquors

Serving Type: 12 oz. can, poured into a mug

Upon this writing I realized that I improperly attributed the historical #1 beer title to Old Milwaukee. As soon as I’m done here, I’ll amend that review. It was, indeed, Schaefer that sat at #1. Further, I erred in recognizing the title as #1 in America, when Schaefer was actually the best selling beer in the world. My apologies. Anyway, here’s what I said in my mis-attribution:

Old Milwaukee Schaefer, once the best selling beer in America the world has fallen from its prominent spot to the pits of the beer world. Only a few short decades after the brand ceded its top spot to Budweiser, [it] now toils in obscurity. Is the beer’s fall from grace justified? Likely. Is Budweiser’s top [spot] in the American market justified? Far from.

Today, like many of the older, now obscure brands Schaefer is owned by Pabst and contract brewed by MillerCoors. The beer’s pour is quite attractive with a well-sized head and a glowing body. The medium-light straw liquid is clearly over-carbonated, and the light wispy head subsides rather quickly. No lacing to speak of. Mild hops on the nose give the beer an initial Pilsner-like quality. Also on the nose are must, sweetness, and soapiness.

The malts up front are very crisp and meet a light but pleasant hop infusion. Soon enough the adjunct grains kick in and the sweetness goes into overdrive. Sugary to say the least. There’s also a somewhat artificial tinge to it. The mouthfeel stays airy and carbonated throughout. The finish leaves an unfortunate sickly cloying sweetness. But hey, $3.69 per six-pack is a deal.

Final Verdict: D+