Pennsylvania’s Wallenpaupack Brewing recently sent me samples of two of its beers, Oktoberfest and For the Love of Lager: German-Style Dark Lager, a couple of perfect seasonal styles to match the transition into autumn. I first heard of Wallenpaupack, and reviewed several beers, two years ago; it opened five years ago in 2017. Named for Lake Wallenpaupack in the Pocono Mountains, the brewery offers variety of styles including an award-winning cream ale.

I like that these two sent to me are both lagers, and both hefty enough for fall. Let’s get to reviews!

Oktoberfest Märzen

While there’s not a lot of information about the beer online, I can tell you it’s 5.9% ABV with 24 IBUs, and (according to the site) brewed with German malt and hops. Plus it’s a Märzen, my favorite of the Oktoberfest styles.

Wallenpaupack also brewed a barrel-aged version of Oktoberfest for its fifth anniversary, aged in bourbon barrels, which sounds awfully interesting.

Appearance: Amber with some orange highlights. Decent clarity. Off-white head was billowy and then fell quickly.

Smell: Mellow yet richly malty, with dry-toasted graininess that’s on the edge of roasty. Wheat chaff, some grain dust, and low to no hop aroma that I can find.

Taste: Grainy and crackery, and fairly dry; notes of toasted whole wheat bread, puffed barley cereal, bread crust. Good malt flavors have me thinking of wheat or barley fields. Low hops, enough to balance the malts, but those malts are the highlights.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, almost medium-light. Crisp, clean, dry.

Overall: It’s a nice one with good toasty flavors.

For the Love of Lager: German-Style Dark Lager

This “For the Love of Lager” is actually a series, with German-Style Dark Lager being the third in the series. The description says:

This dark lager falls somewhere between Dunkel and Schwarzbier. Munich and Carafa malts give notes of bitter dark chocolate and roasty coffee. German Magnum, Spalter Select, and Saphir hops, paired with a medium-low body, keep this lager balanced and very drinkable.

It’s 4.6% ABV with 30 IBUs.

Appearance: Dark brown (deep cola) with chestnut highlights and some clarity. Tan head.

Smell: Nutty aroma with dark bread and light coffee; toasted bread crumbs, with some raw cacao bean. Clean fermentation profile.

Taste: Rounded, chewy malts with over-toasted bread crust, a splash of light roast coffee, a hint of bitter chocolate that has a very light fruitiness. Cascara, toasted nuts, with a backing of light hop bitterness that lets the malt be expressive without being sweet.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, dry and clean with light bready-roasty finish.

Overall: It’s tasty, almost a schwarzbier and nicely drinkable.

Conclusions: These are good beers, get some while you can.