Big River Grille Oktoberfest

Brewed by Big River Grille & Brewing Works Chattanooga (Gordon Biersch)
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Chattanooga, Tennessee USA

I've been impressed with Big River beers so far and this is no exception. Granted this beer is not as good as Spaten or Paulaner Oktoberfests but it's still quite good. Dark amber appearance. Flavor is a little carbonated with a heavy malt profile and a slight bitterness. Faint fruit flavors are present. Another good brew from Big River although I do prefer many of thier others to this style.

Orange color with a dense off-white head. Slight maltiness, some of spice in the aroma. Medium-bodied; Malt character in the taste and not much else. Aftertate with some spicyness, but pretty subtle. As far as a Marzen goes not my favorate but I'd order again.

Atlanta. On tap at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Buckhead. Brewed by Big River Breweries, centered in Chattanooga. Well, this sure is a pretty good marzen. While, it doesn’t compare to Spaten and Sam Adams, I would probably name this as my third favorite marzen, which are some of my favorite bees. It tastes a bit watery in comparison to those two and not quite as complex. Hints of caramel and malt make it nice as we round out the Oktoberfest season. Seems to be a typical marzen, really, not much special.

Draft at Disneyworld. Nice amber oktoberfest. Very easy to drink with a nice caramel malt taste.

On draugh at Seven Bridges Jacksonville- 1L. Pours dark copper with a nice head that lingers. Bright clarity. Aroma is nutty, toast and cracker like. Taste is nutty as well with Munich malt shining through, low to no hop flavor. Body is medium light with a medium dry finish. A very clean beer. It would be really good if the body was a bit fuller and there was a little more alcohol warmth. A little out of style.

Draught in Chattanooga location: this one pours a clear, slightly darker amber color. There was somewhat of a off-white head on it that doesn’t hang around long, but leaves some lacing. The aroma is a hair weak, but has notes of malt, as well as some nuttiness and grassiness to it. The taste is somewhat dry. There is a smokiness to it also. Some caramel malts, but no real sweetness at all. Also some nuttiness. Not bad.

Pint at the Seven Bridges Brewpub in Jacksonville, a big party for the arrival of the Oktoberfest with some of the proceeds going to charity. This years brew was excellent. Pours clear dark amber, with a nice big white head that slowly diminishes. Light aroma of sweet malt. Flavor has caramel and malt and a slight sharp bite from the alcohol and carbonation and hops. Very well balanced and drinkable. A solid session brew.

Big River Disney World Oktoberfest-on tap-pours a thin off white head and copper color. Aroma is medium malt/grain, some fruit. Taste is slightly sweet medium malt/grain, some fruit/floral continental hops. Nice balance between sweet and slight bitter. OK carbonation. Their best beer to date.