Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen

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

A brilliant orange with faintly darker hues of brown and amber. She is crowned by a soft, creamsicle head which lingers long into her final moments while commemorating our time together with small patches of lace. My first whiff of her nose bursts and crackles with fresh butterscotch candies, white bread crackers, candied fruit, crunchy apples, pears, and oranges. Delicate and subtle, her aromas are woven together in an intricate network of finesse and skill. In the background, toasted malts are drizzled with fresh honey. Her nose is balanced exquisitely, but how will her palate hold up? Clean, and only of medium-weight, she lightly coats my mouth in a soft butterscotch glaze while toasted bread settles into the background. Cinnamon sticks and powdered cinnamon add a dry breath of spice to balance the malty sweetness. As I bite into her crisp peaches and pears, their juices trickle down my throat while their skins add a brisk acidic nip for a playful measure. In the background, further soothing notes of butterscotch and maple linger into her finish while her fruits sit squarely in the middle. Deliciously dry, brisk, and bright, as I enjoy the last of my Ayinger Oktoberfest, I feel an honored witness to living history.

Ayinger never fails to impress me with their constant consistency and quality of beers. They may not win any awards for originality, but what they do best is bring their beers of ancestry to life, honoring long-standing traditions and tastes. Never think about whether or not to bring home an Ayinger beer, just do it.

Clear amber-orange pour with a big dense tan head that leaves generous lace. Aroma strongly yeasty and malty with a twist of green apples. Flavor is very yeasty and bready, with a little citrus, gumball, and clove. A slight metallic tang was sometimes detectable, but this was the only off element. Medium bodied, well carbonated, crisp mouthfeel.

From bottle. Part of September Dayton Beer Tasting event. Pours deep golden. Some floral hops with a trace of sweetness. Slightly dry finish with decent complexity. Good effort.

Golden amber in color. Lightish thin white head. Nose of yeast and freshness. Really fresh for an Octoberfest. Crisp flavor with just enough creamy maltiness. Best festbier that I’ve this season.

Chicken Charlie’s, Washington, PA - This is my favorite Octoberfest. Pours a light amber color with a moderate amount of white head. Excellent blend of spices and a nice sweet flavor countered with malt, without a doubt the best tasting Marzen that I have had. Body is pretty light, but to be expected from this style.

Bottle. Pours a toffee gold with an off-white head, not thick but laces well. Nose is hops and caramel, with nice lagery-fruitiness. Soft, toffeeish/caramel mouthfeel with plenty of fruit. Good stuff.

A clear orange color with a small white head. Aroma is toasty and a little grassy . Flavor is of toasty grain, a bit of appley fruitiness. A remarkably good lager.

A one inch foamy tan head. This beers has a nice appearance, aroma and good carbonation. A medium mouth feel, with roasted malts and hints of caramel. Some Pumpkin and cinnamon thrown in there as well. A true Oktoberfest with that authentic German taste that is so often attempted to be replicated.