Mike Loves Beer

Name – Oktoberfish
Country – United States
Type – Marzen

For most fall is in full swing.  Us here in South Florida are still dealing with days hitting the 90s.  But at least the fall beers are coming out to which I can pretend that we have any sort of normal autumn right?

In the past I’ve made no secret of my love for Marzens.  These slightly sweet sessionable beers just seem to fit the season.  And I’m kicking off my fall with a new Marzen to our area and that is Oktoberfish from Flying Fish.  I really like the blue and white diamond patterns makes it look almost truly authentic on the bottle’s label.  But does it taste authentic?

I pour it into a nonic pint glass and it arrives a clear copper color with a nice sized off white head.

The nose is typical for the style.  There is a definitely presence of caramel and toasted malts.  Nice bready nose to it.

The taste is really a lot of the same.  You know I hate saying that but will if I absolutely have to.  Body is on the lighter side and real easy to drink.

Overall I enjoyed it.  I drank two rather easily while I was visiting my parents last night.  And I’m not going to drink two of anything I don’t like, especially all that quickly.

When it comes to Marzens I would say Oktoberfish is a little above middle of the road.  It’s not as robust as I feel most of the German ones are but definitely in the upper tier of the American breweries that I have had doing this style.  If you like most of the American offerings of Marzens then I would say go out and try this if you can.

Grade - B

Name – Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Country – Germany
Type – Marzen

I love the marzens during the fall.  You can have your pumpkin beers but just give me a nice sweet, malty Oktoberfest beer and I will enjoy my fall months just fine.

A couple years ago I found my favorite, and typical go to, marzen in Spaten Oktoberfest.  Hell I have the remnants of a 12 pack in my fridge right now.  So I was excited to try another one of the big named German brewer’s marzens.  For today’s review I drink Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen.

I poured the bottle into my Spaten Oktoberfest glass to find a clear orangish/amber colored liquid.  A big bubbly white head formed on top and decided to stick around for a good while.  It even left some lacing on the glass as a reminder that it was there.

The nose is greeted with sweet malts as you would expect.  There is a grainy backing in the smell as well to round it out nicely.

First sip is very nice.  Sweet malts and caramel.  A bready character adds to the body.  It then has some traces of spices on the back.  It finishes clean and crisp.

So what is there to say about Ayinger’s version?  I freaking love it!  I still love you Spaten but Ayinger is now my favorite marzen.  This beer is just so smooth and full of flavor.  I wish the Oktoberfest in Lake Worth had this on tap instead of the *cringe* Beck’s Oktoberfest.

So this should from what I understand be a pretty easy to find beer for most, especially the folks in South Florida.  So go out and buy this and enjoy it with some schnitzel, potato pancakes and a person you love.  Because this beer is one you should love as well.

Grade – A

Name – Hoss
Country – United States
Type – Marzen

Appearance – Pours a clear copper color with a big white head that disappears quickly.

Smell – Malts and a very bready like smell but not quite rye.  Other grains can be picked up as well.

Taste – Slightly roasted malts with a bread like taste, very minimal rye.  Some sweet caramel like notes.

Hoss is suppose to be a slightly different take on a traditional marzen lager.  There is a hint of rye in the taste but not enough for me to really think of it any differently than any other marzen.  It is a better than average one but I guess once again I was expecting more of a rye taste in it.

Overall Grade – C+