The SA Oktoberfest is one of the best out there that I have tried this year. Didn’t really care as much for last years. I did a side-by side ‘flite’ test (4oz pour) of 4 different ones at my local bar, and liked the Rahr & Sons best, but the SA was so close that it was really pretty much a toss up between the two.
I am on an Octoberfest mission this year for some reason. Every time I see one I haven’t tried, I’m trying it. Brooklyn Brewery’s Octoberfest is also really good; I tried it side by side with Sierra Nevada’s. Both were good, but Brooklyn won that by a slight margin. I had never tried anything of theirs before. Good stuff.
Yes, extremely good marzen with full head and not too sweet and not spiced like prior years. Comparable to when Sierra Nevada did their own Okts in-house before they started pairing with brewers (which has been wildly hit-or-miss). One wonders if maybe SN's original recipe made its way into SA's hands...