So, which Octoberfest beer reigns supreme? It’s an age-old question, and given that Sam’s festivities are behind us and Harpoon’s Octoberfest is coming right up, the battle is particularly relevant. You’ll soon be heading to one of these Oktoberfest events — and when the bartender asks which seasonal beer you prefer in your stein, you better know your answer.
Given that we live in a beer enthusiast town, it’s every Boston resident’s responsibility to support their local brews. With numerous seasonal standouts to choose from, we’ve decided to narrow it down to two of the most popular Boston-based options: Harpoon Octoberfest and Samuel Adams Octoberfest.
So, which is the best? I conducted a personal taste-test to arrive at my answer, and present my findings in this week’s This vs. That.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
Let’s start with a Boston classic: Sam Adams Octoberfest. The Boston Beer Company brew is consistently delicious. Its deep red amber pour is a blend of five roasted malts with two hop varieties for a flavorful albeit slightly hoppy taste. This beer has a sweet aroma, smooth taste and if you’re a malt lover, it’s the beer for you. Upon sampling the seasonal brew, I immediately detected the fall flavors and appreciated the fact that there was little to no overwhelming aftertaste.
As far as nutritional content (whomp whomp), one bottle of Sam Adams Octoberfest contains 187 calories and has a 5.3% alcohol content (mmm that’ll do). Beer Advocate, a Boston-based online network for Beer connoisseurs and enthusiasts, rates the Sam Adams Octoberfest as an 83 out of 100 (not bad). And as far as availability goes, chances are you can find a Sam Adams Octoberfest far and wide. However, if you do happen to prefer a hoppier tasting bevy, then this beer may not tickle your Octoberfest fancy. Just sayin’ — but you knew probably that already.
Harpoon Octoberfest
Who in Boston doesn’t love Harpoon? The brewery, beer flights and food are well worth a trip out to its South Boston Beer Hall. As for the their Octoberfest beer itself, the brew is truly a Boston staple. It seems that as soon as the seasonal beer debuts, it’s already flying off the shelves. The Harpoon Octoberfest is brewed with Munich, Chocolate, and Pale malts. As soon as you pop the top you can smell the hoppy aroma. Harpoon’s Octoberfest is certainly nowhere near as sweet as the Sam Adams option, and has a distinctly bitter taste — case in point, its IBU is double that of the Sam Adams option. So, if your beer motto is “hoppier the better,” then this seasonal brew may be for you.
Similar to the Sam Adams Octoberfest, a seasonal Harpoon also has 5.3% alcohol content. So neither brews has an advantage in that respect. Beer Advocate also granted Harpoon Octoberfest an 83 out of 100. However, the calorie count is slightly lower at 165 calories per bottle. Finding a Harpoon Octoberfest outside of New England may be a bit harder than finding a Sam Adams. While the beer is sold in many other regional grocery and liquor stores, finding the beer on-site, like a restaurant or a bar, can be a tad more difficult. Its IPA, though, is downright everywhere it seems.
Winner: Sam Adams Octoberfest
Sorry to all of those hop lovers, but I will never ever get used to Harpoon Octoberfest’s bitter aftertaste. I would much rather indulge in the sweet caramel and toffee fall flavored Sam Adams seasonal brew. And since the beer is a seasonal treat, I’m certainly not watching my calorie intake with this one. All in all, I prefer the flavors and malty complexity that a Sam Adams Octoberfest (or in this case, Octoberbest) has to offer.
We know there are people out there who will disagree. Let us know where you stand in the comments section below!
