81 Ocktobeerfest Märzen - Spotted Octopus Brewing

Brian is officially back from a two-week sabbatical (including a quick reset in Disney) just in time for his absolute favorite beer season of the year: fall. To kick off the cooler weather, Brian stopped into the brand-new Spotted Octopus Brewing taproom at 500 Seneca to grab the very first pour off their new draft lines: Oktobeerfest.

• Brewery: Spotted Octopus Brewing (Buffalo, NY)
• Beer: Oktobeerfest
• Style: Märzen / Festbier Hybrid
• ABV: 5.8%
• Brian’s Verdict: An absolute standout and easily one of the best beers Brian has ever had from Spotted Octopus. Falling gracefully between a traditional malty Märzen and an easy-drinking Festbier, it drinks light and crisp with a distinct crackery, bread crust malt backbone. Smooth notes of caramel, toffee, and a whisper of vanilla round out the profile without weighing it down, making it dangerously drinkable for a ~6% fall seasonal.

Head Brewer Evan Flurry considers this annual fall release his personal "white whale". Every year, he tweaks the recipe aiming for more elegance and drinkability, and this batch nails the mark. Oktobeerfest is built using 100% New York State ingredients, featuring malt from Batavia’s Murmuration Malting Co. and Glacier hops from Upstate Hops.

Plus, it marks an exciting new era for Spotted Octopus. Moving from their quaint, homey original space on Edward Street, the new spot at 500 Seneca offers a massive upgrade: two long bars, tons of parking, an outdoor patio overlooking the courtyard, and upcoming food service from Rochester’s Flow Food (bring on the garbage plates!).

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