Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Aying, Germany

Pours beautiful cloudy golden with smallish off-white head. Nose is malty, mild spice, with a faint floral hint. The flavor is sweet, mildly spiced, more aromatic than cinnamon or pumkinspice. Nice malt towards the middle. Reminds me of tilled earth towards the end. Nice slightly hoppy end. Very good beer.

Finally, after many disappointing Marzens, success! Just about anything anyone could want from this type of brew. Not holding truest to the style, this brew is a relief in a sea of crappy Marzens. A little too much fruitiness for perfection but well done!

Bottle. Hazy amber body with a large, frothy, off-white head, mostly lasting. The aroma is mostly malty with strong notes of sweet caramel and lighter notes of toasted bread, flowers and peach. The flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic and lightly bitter. It finishes lightly to moderately sweet, lightly to moderately bitter and lightly acidic. Medium body with a creamy texture and lively carbonation. The taste starts malty sweet, crisp, clean and turns nicely bitter. Nice balance. Excellent Oktobefest.

Tap @ Mallaskukko. Reddish orange color, light tan head. Not very strong aroma, but it has soft maltiness. Full malty taste accented by slight dryness and smooth bitterness towards the end. Excellent balance all the way. Very enjoyable, highly recommended.

Bottle on 10/20/06. Pours a clear amber/gold with a huge rocky head leaving excellent lace. Grain and caramel malt aroma. Sweet toffee dominates the flavor, but some light bittering hops bring the sweetness into balance. Medium body without stickiness, rather surprising considering the fact that it is predominantly sweet. A fine example of the style.

Pours deep amber into a nonick. Significant white micro head with excellent retention. Bread and caramel aromas. Upfront medium, creamy sweet caramel with a bitter, lasting finish.

Over all I found this beer to be extremely plesant in all aspects and quite drinkable. I will say I measure every oktoberfest up against Spaten, and perhaps I shouldn’t but I find Spaten to simply be amazing. Personally I didn’t find it to be something I would want over a Spaten, except on occasion when I needed a break. If you get some you wont be disappointed and might even find yourself enjoying it.

Aroma jumps out at you. Very strong carmel, reminds me of molasses somewhat. Translucent orange body with several fingers worth of head. Very full body. Malt and carmel dominate the flavor. Some roasty presence. Some hops there, but this is definitely a malt-forward beer. Unfortunately, there’s just a hint of that roasted vegetable taste in it, I think. Goes away as you drink it. Not the best octoberfest I’ve had (as a result of the slight off-flavor, as well as the flavor not being as full as it could), but definitely one of the best. I wish I could find it on tap, since I’ve heard it’s exquisite that way.