Octoberfests, pt. 2

Continuing the excursion to the state where I was born and an area where we spent much time...

1. Saranac Octoberfest
First off, it should be noted that Saranac beers are the house-brand for F.X. Matt Brewing. For those who don't know, Matt is the brewery that brews many, many microbrews under contract. They also create house-label brands for restaurants and people. The advantage of this is that they have some decent beers for less than most of the other craft brewers. The disadvantage is that their beers are just good, not outstanding. The Octoberfest is no exception. It's a decent lager, but very malty--so much so that the roasted malts were all I tasted at first. Simply put, this is a good one to drink after you've had a few other beers.

And then to the state where we did a bit of skiing when I was growing up...

2. Flying Dog Dogtoberfest
Flying Dog is another of those breweries that puts out consistent and excellent beers. This one is no exception. It has the light body and slightly toasted flavor necessary. At the end of the finish, there is an almost citrus-y taste where the hops come out a bit. All the way around, this one stands on its own. I think I'll have another.