Out of the Bottle: Oktoberfest

My Oktoberfest is ready just in time for the big event in Munich. Time to see how things turned out.

The finished product has an ABV of 5.7%, which is a couple of tenths of a percent higher than the style guidelines. Still, it's close enough. What really matters is if the beer is any good. I'm happy to report that it is.

This was my first attempt at lagering a beer in the bottle for a month. I had no idea if it would have much impact on the finished product. My first impression is that it did.

First off, this is the best clarity I've ever gotten out of a bottle-conditioned beer. The pale amber hue is brilliant. My photo really doesn't do it justice. An eggshell cap has decent retention and leaves a bit of lace behind.

Even with the lagering, the nose has a touch of ale yeast fruitiness. However, some of that fruitiness could be from the Smaragd hops I used for flavor and aroma. Behind them is a very clean beer. Toffee and caramel dominate the palate. Bitterness is just enough and really lets the malts come through. The sweeter malt flavors linger through the finish. A medium body with just the right level of fizz completes the picture.

Overall, I'm declaring success. Now if I can just find someone to donate an old fridge for me to lager in.......

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