Narragansett Fest, Narragansett Brewing Company
The second craft-brewed Oktoberfest to hit the market (Sly Fox's Oktoberfest beat it by a month). Narragansett's Fest is "crafted in small batches at Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck, CT" as well as being brewed by the big boys over in Rochester, New York. Fest is one of three seasonal beers released by Narragansett. All three are all-grain brews that are brewed at Cottrell Brewery (CT), Trinity Brewhouse (RI) and/or High Falls Brewery (NY). Prosit!
From the Narragansett site:
"Gansett Fest is a great example of a traditional amber-brown German Oktoberfest style beer. It is perfectly balanced with four varieties of malts and two styles of hops. This is an extremely easy drinking autumn seasonal beer, but one you will want to savor as the rich malt profile complements the crisp, but not overpowering, hop flavor perfectly."
Here we go... Pour - dark chestnut, auburn in appearance with a big fluffy white head. Nice clarity and carbonation. Not a whole lot to take in but still its not a bad looking beer.
Aroma - malty, grainy, caramel, slight citrus along with some nice toasty/bready smells.
Taste - toasty, malty, sweet and bready. Plenty of biscuity notes and a sharp finish with hints at citrus. A lot of those aromas play out on the tongue. Very easy drinking and smooth with the carbonation providing a refreshing finish. Not super rich in flavor but I don't mind that. It actually keeps it from being too sweet.
Overall - solid brew. I really enjoyed this beer and felt it does its duty as a traditional Oktoberfest. Its light bodied and plenty smooth enough to enjoy over several rounds. Well done Narragansett, well done. I look forward to trying your other seasonal releases.
Would I buy more of it? - I would. A six-pack of 16 oz. cans is going for about $8 here in New England. Very affordable for a quality brew.
Note - Narragansett releases two other seasonal beers. One is their Porter which is a winter release and the other a Bock in the spring. I'm wondering if a summer release is coming as well...hmm....
5 comments
I noticed there have been two obviously different designs so far on the 16oz FEST cans. Same with the BOCK cans. Are these seasonal can designs reworked each year?
I noticed there have been two obviously different designs so far on the 16oz FEST cans. Same with the BOCK cans. Are these seasonal can designs reworked each year?
I noticed there have been two obviously different designs so far on the 16oz FEST cans. Same with the BOCK cans. Are these seasonal can designs reworked each year?
I noticed there have been two obviously different designs so far on the 16oz FEST cans. Same with the BOCK cans. Are these seasonal can designs reworked each year?
I noticed there have been two obviously different designs so far on the 16oz FEST cans. Same with the BOCK cans. Are these seasonal can designs reworked each year?