Beer and Comics » marzen

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen

Ian! — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:33:34 +0000

What is typically one of, if not the, best Oktoberfest every year didn’t disappoint this time around.

While there are usually some good, interesting takes on the Oktoberfest style, I usually find myself particularly impressed with the traditional German varieties. They’re malty and sweet, but not like the American versions tend to be. They’re incredibly easy to drink, and certainly retain that lager yeast flavor, but aren’t dominated by that exclusively. The malt is clearly the strongest flavor (and aroma), but there’s something nice and, well, autumnal about them.

Not too bitter, but with a hint of bittering hops. I have always liked this beer, but this year (and at $3 a 500ml bottle), this might become one of my go-to fall beers. While it lasts, at least.

8/10

Ian!

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen

Ian! — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:32:38 +0000

What is typically one of, if not the, best Oktoberfest every year didn’t disappoint this time around.

Not too bitter, but with a hint of bittering hops. I have always liked this beer, but this year (and at $3 a 500ml bottle), this might become one of my go-to fall beers. While it lasts, at least.

8/10

Ian!

Beck’s Oktoberfest

Ian! — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:19:06 +0000

Part of the 2008 Oktoberfest Horizontal series

A case full of $35 worth of different “Oktoberfests” – some of which are true Marzens, and some are “inspired” by them, or “marzen-style” lagers or ales.

Are many of these going to suck? Oh yes. But also in that box are beers like the Ayinger Oktoberfest, one from Hofbräu, and one potentially interesting beer from Flying Dog.

Ian reviews them all. Which is the best? Stay tuned to find out.

At last! The first Marzen of the bunch. Its also the last macro-brewed beer of the bunch, if I’m not mistaken.

As is appropriate to the style it poured with a nice foamy head. It also has a nice, darker color than the Lager-toberfests (does that make sense?)

It absolutely has a malty aroma; it smells and drinks like a dark German beer.

There’s a nice body in the mouthfeel, with almost no carbonation after half the glass.

There is something I can’t quite place in the flavor. Not sour, but there is a sweetness that is tempered with citrusy notes.

The aftertaste leaves a nice maltiness in your mouth, and a touch of nuttiness.

I will drink this again next fall.

5/10