Oktober

It's September, and that means: Octoberfest.

Right, I see that, try to overlook the misnomer. Starting off the season, a battle royale between two "Octoberfest" beers and a Juniper Pale Ale (for balance). I tried the New Belgium Hoptober, the Great Lakes Oktoberfest, and the Rogue Juniper Pale Ale.

The Rogue flavor is just off, for a beer. It didn't seem to match, with more of an herb flavor than hops or barley. It's a very aesthetically-pleasing beer though with a bold amber color and solid head. The Great Lakes offering has a strong flavor, very savory, but too overpowering of a flavor. I would recommend the New Belgium Hoptober of the three, as much as I would like to choose Great Lakes. It has a balanced flavor and a mild aftertaste but a strong, hoppy, Oktober-is-coming flavor at the same time.

Great Lakes Oktoberfest earns four stars of seven, New Belgium brings old-world charm for five tulips, and Rogue Juniper Pale Ale stumbles home with only two pieces-of-eight after a long day on the Mississippi.