Le Cheval Blanc Märzen

In short: Plenty of whole-wheat cereals and plenty of woody hops. Highly drinkable amber lager. Very nice.
How: Tap at brewpub. This rating for the 2008 batch
The look: Almost clear pale copper body topped by a persistent small beige head
In long: A ton of cereals with a whole-wheat bread flavour. A bit fluffy. A ton of hops with a fresh wet beechwood birch. Light fruity notes of citrus and gooseberries. A touch of caramel to tie it up together. Toasted but not really caramelized. An very nice overall freshness sensation. I don’t remember Cheval Blanc’s Marzen having been as good as this 2008 batch. Too bad it’s only brewed once a year because this is a beer I’d love to drink all year round. I’d be a much happier man if it was this beer that was the monthly ritual and P.M.S. the yearly affair. Life isn’t fair.

Bu sur place en fut (12 oz). Orange thé voilée, peu de collet. Arome de malte sucré légé et houblonneux. Goût de malte épicé avec un soupson d’herbe sec et plaisant.

Amber-orangeish color with a nice tan-colored head, caramelized malt, buttery and biscuity notes inthe nose follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a rooty, leafy and floral hops, caramelized malt character, leading towards a dry leafy hop bittering finish. Maybe too hoppy for a marzen.

Golden coloured lager with a thin white head. Light sweet caramel aroma. Good crisp malt in mouth, fresh German hops, and biscuitty notes. Quite refreshing.

Verre de 5 oz à la brasserie. Arôme: Odeur de céréales, de fleurs et d’agrumes. Apparence: La couleur est dorée. Présence d’un mince col crémeux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’épices. La durée de l’arrière goût est moyenne. Palette: Le corps et la texture sont mince. L’effervescence en bouche est moyenne. Présence d’une légère amertume en arrière goût. (Rating #374)

I lucked out on my Montreal pub crawl I was running into a Marzen at most brew pubs...I love the style as I’m a big fan of malty Tutonic beers. This one was a nice rendition...proper color orange-amber...nice frothy cap and texture on the palate...chewy malts but in a medium light body...aroma and tastes of Munich malts and herbal German hops...leaves a sweet bready-fruity impression...a good Marzen for froth quaffers...I recommend it.

on tap at the brewpub, body is a pale, cloudy, yellow color, thin white lacing. aroma is flowery and citrusy. taste has a very sweet edge on top of some malts. body is very thin and watery. tail end is a little metallic tasting. not one of their best.

Cloudy pale golden color, thin white head. Aroma of fruits (peach), caramel and malt. Flavor of caramelized fruits (again, peach), malt and sweetness. Slightly bitter finish. Light body, soft carbonation, the finish leaves a chalky feeling. If it had more body it would be very good.