Left Hand Brewing Co. Oktoberfest $9.48 a six-pack
Along with Colorado’s heavenly but all-too-brief autumn comes the first wave of Oktoberfest beers, and Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing Co. has a winner with its entry. While its appearance won’t bowl anyone over with its thin, wheat-colored head that’s gone in a heartbeat, this brew gets five stars for mouthfeel and drinkability. A mildly sweet, copper-colored lager with a pleasant aroma that’s all caramel and bread, it’s perfectly carbonated, giving it a smooth character in the mouth and throat that makes it disappear faster than Claude Rains. The flavor is classic O-fest, malty with caramel notes but neither flavor overpowering, making it a fine session drinker. Alcohol by volume of 6 percent is unnoticeable on the tongue, but gives this one a nice kick. This is a fine companion for a football afternoon or a cigar in the crisp fall evening. Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont;
Marcus Chamberland;
