Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post written by Adam Mlynarcik, beer blogger and aspiring home brewer at Fanbrew.com. Fanbrew is an online community about sports opinion and craft beer.
For me the fall to winter seasons are the probably the most exciting seasons in the craft beer world. I love the seasonal brews that come with the falling of the leaves and first snowfall. Oktoberfests, Pumpkin Ales, Winter Warmers, & Barley wines are some of my favorite styles of beer to drink, and I am saddened that can only get most of them a few months a year.
Today I was able to sit down with a bottle of Ayinger’s Oktoberfest-Marzen with much delight as I have read great things about it on both the major beer reviewing sites.
Appearance:
The Oktoberfest poured a hazy orange and formed an off white 1 finger foam head from the bottle. I might have been influenced by the season, but it was perfectly reminiscent of the color of changing leaves and pumpkins. It looked delectable.
Aroma:
Unfortunately my notes here were lacking due to the allergies that also come with the season. Stupid nose! But with my limited breathing ability I was able to pull out some sweet underlying malts and a decent amount of what my guess would be a noble hops. I passed the glass to my wife who suggested the brew smelled moderately spicy and hoppy with a sweetness that reminded her of grapes or honey.
Taste:
On the tongue the first things I noticed were the toasty and bready malts. I definitely got a very sweet honey type flavor maybe even some light grape or yellow raisin notes. The finish is what I cared for the most, a slight spiciness that lead to a dry finish that made me want to drink more.
Palate:
The mouth feel in the Oktoberfest-Marzen was on style. It had a light and thin body with enough carbonation to push through to they dry finish, but wasn’t over carbonated or too thin.
Overall:
The Ayinger was perfectly drinkable, even sessionable. However it wasn’t my favorite in the style, especially after drinking 3 Floyds Munsterfest just a few days earlier which I absolutely loved. The brew was satisfying and on style, had good flavor, aroma, and mouth feel, but in the end I didn’t care for the sweetness that I felt overpowered some of the breadiness that was coming through up front. The 16.9 oz bottle was only $3.99 at a small mom and pop shop called Old World Market a few blocks from my house and I felt for that price quite a good deal. If you have the chance to pick this one up I would recommend giving it a shot.
Score:
85 / 100
Good work, Adam! Great to see you around the blogosphere. Love your reviews and the criteria that you set out. FYI, FanBrew is awesome!
As for your nose, don’t worry about it. Happens to the best of us. But with your experience in the beer review business I am sure you are able to overcome it and provide a good review.
Might give this beer a try, but I am looking into the 3 Floyds version first.
I have to say that your reviews are very informative and delightful. Your style of reviewing is improving along with your palate. I am very intriqued about this beer and will have to give it a try.