You may remember my sour relationship with Rescue Club if you have been following along. They aren’t bad, per se, but their flavors were not filling my flute tool with many bold or exciting things. You can imagine my expectations when I saw their latest seasonal release on my local NA website. I am a sucker for second and third chances, and I love NA beer, so I decided to give this little gem a try. Alright, Rescue Club, the ball is in your court…
This week, I’m drinking Oktoberfest by Rescue Club – another wonderful installment in craft NA brews making seasonal releases. Whether it’s delicious or not, it’s a sign of good things to come and part of a trend I am happy to see continue, even if Rescue Club isn’t typically on the top of my NA list. Expectations for an Oktoberfest brew are a nice balance of German malts and a hint of spice, with minimal overpowering flavors in any one specific area. A true sign of autumn approaching.
When I first crack into this can, Rescue Club brings forth their promising aroma of roasted malts and releases a fall festival into the air. The balance of hops and grains is an obvious base scent, but it’s those roasty notes that begin to sell me and get my hopes up. The brew brings more promise as I pour Rescue Club’s seasonal treat into my glass. The color is a perfect golden amber, meeting aromatic expectations with visual expectations. A light creamy foam head forms, and the aromas spit out even more. Hopes are high.
The final test of whether or not Rescue Club redeems itself in this reviewer’s eyes happens as I bring this festive froth to my lips, and holy shit- it tastes good to eat crow. Rescue Club identifies and produces the style and balance you want in an Oktoberfest brew. The roasted aromatic notes come out in flavor, complimented slightly by a fall spice. All these flavors rest on a foundation of balanced beer that refers to traditional German recipes of tried and true brewing techniques and ingredients. Rescue Club has redeemed itself and made its name known in this limited world of season NA availability. Watch out, Athletic!
Untappd gives Oktoberfest by Rescue Club a 3.7 out of 5, and in the world of NA beers, I think that’s about accurate, but in the small company of Oktoberfest brews available in the NA realm, I would put it as a #2 choice, but the #1 choice is gone (see Two Roots closing). This is a great sign for all NA beers, and I am happy to give this victory to Rescue Club and announce a full pardon from my previous sweeping opinions of their brewery.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR – NA BEERS & 90s: Sober Curator Justin Lamb is dedicated to tasting great (and sometimes not so great) NA beers and showcasing his amazing collection of memorabilia from the ’80s & ’90s. His beer mug is full, there’s just no booze in it. TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.
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