Sly Fox Brewing Company released the first canned Oktoberfest beer last year. Since then there have been 7 other Oktoberfest beers released in cans with Great River's being one of 4 to be released for the first time in 2011. Great River Brewery is truly one of those breweries that focuses on producing great beer for local consumers. If you can get your hands on some of their stuff you won't be disappointed. 

From the Great River Brewery site:

"Great River Brewery’s Oktoberfest is a Marzen style beer brewed with Hallertau hops and pale and crystal malts. The result is a full bodied,malty brew with a beautiful amber color and a clean dry finish."

The CAN reads:

"Today, many areas celebrate Oktoberfest, but the original is in the Bavarian city of Munich and the name has become synonymous with beers that are only produced during that special time of the year.

Great River Brewery's Oktoberfest is a Marzen style beer brewed with Hallertau hops and pale and crystal malts. The result is a full bodied, malty brew with a beautiful amber color and a clean dry finish."

Here we go...

POUR: dark amber in color with some ruby red hues along with a thin white head made up of soda-like bubbles. Clean in appearance with lots of little orbs streaming upwards. Great looking pour for the style.

AROMA: faint hints of cereal grains and caramel. Some very subtle hints of brown sugar and corn syrup. The aroma of this beer is very muted. 

TASTE: one sip and this is definitely going to please the malt lovers. I get toasted brown bread, brown sugar, molasses, soggy bran flakes and an overal very generous grain bill packed into each mouthful. The finish is clean and crisp which really rounds things out nicely. 

OVERALL: once it hits the tongue this beer takes off. With little aroma and a nice appearance you're sort of left wondering what is going to make this beer special. The malt forward flavor profile of this well crafted lager and that smooth, crisp finish really make this a winner. Well done, wish we had more of it! Another fine beer from Great River.

NOTES: Great River Brewery has just released their sixth canned offering. Big Cock IPA, seriously - no joke - clck on the link, is a limited release IPA that clocks in at 7% with 70 IBUs.