Bob's 47 Oktoberfest

Boulevard Brewing’s fall seasonal, Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest displays the classic character of its Germanic antecedents while showing off some Midwestern swagger. Since 1989, the crew at Boulevard has been cranking out tasty lagers and ales. The well-crafted Bob’s 47 is no exception. Light graininess, sweet Graham cracker notes, and just the faintest whiff of cinnamon mesh nicely with delicate, floral hops to produce a classic Oktoberfest aroma. Tom and Rick both keyed on the prominent biscuit-like malt aroma. Tom likened it to “walking into a warm country bakery” and Rick pronounced it “sweet, like cookie dough.” Rick picked up a hint of sulfur that interfered with the aroma’s harmony, but felt the Munich malt tamed its overall impact. A touch darker than classic Oktoberfest, Bob’s 47 tends toward dark, saturated amber, yet is so brilliantly clear it shimmers in the glass. Rife with notes of toasted oats, warm biscuits, and spicy Munich malts, the flavor is unabashedly malt-centric. Lee enjoyed the chewiness of the malt and detected traces of comb honey that “added a dimension of delightful intrigue.” Tim found some spicy Noble hop flavors, but felt they were buried too deeply in the malt. He did, however, like the slightly tart, eminently quenching finish. Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest is a perilously drinkable Festbier, and would be welcome at any dinner table, regardless of the season.