Marzonis Amber Lager

Tap, sampler glass. Very little aroma, hints of some roasty toasty malts. Rich mahogany red color with a small lacey head. Roasty dry flavor, with some smokey hints of hickory, foamy and cooling mouthfeel. Little to no residual flavor.

Poured a clear copper color with minimal head. Aroma and flavor both a bit molasesy and nutty. Flavor watery and just "off" though can’t put my finger on why. Just lacks balance. Not a fan.

On tap @ Duncansville. Pours a clear amber body with a minimal wispy head. A little toasted grain on the nose with zero hops. Sweet flavor, a little grainy, minimal to no bitterness. Mouthfeel is thin and fizzy with a slight stickiness on the finish. Overall, this just wasn’t especially clean.

Draft at Allison Park. Pours copper amber with a wisp of a head. Aroma of caramel and toasted grains. Body is somewhat weak. Flavor of wet grains, nuts, and caramel. There is not much residual sweetness, and when combined with the hairspray like flavor on the finish, creates a disappointing beer. This is definitely the weakest of the house beers.

(Duncansville) Minimal off-white head with clear copper body. Aroma is medium sweet, caramel, some roast, light cherry. Taste is medium sweet, caramel, some peach, smoke. Undercarbonated light-medium body, lightly sticky.

Sampler at the Allison Park location. Clear amber orange, off white head. Aroma is faint malt. Flavor is malty, roasted, nutty.

5 oz sample at the brewery. I figured I’d give this a shot on the off chance it was an altbier or vienna. No such luck. The second I took a sip I knew it was included in the dreaded American Dark Lager (aka Michelob knock-off) style. Has a tawny brown and copper colored body, perfectly clear, but with a nise sized tan head. Flavor up front it a little buttery, with some sour grains over the middle and into the finish, turning more towards soggy cereal grains as it progresses. Has the distinct chewiness of Munich malt throughout, with a slight maple sweetness as well, turning more bitter and husky in the finish. Close to a brown ale, flavor-wise, actually.

On tap, 10/25/07 as part of a sampler. Deep amber, white foam that dies quickly, no lacing. Decent enough amber lager, nice malt character, nothing exciting or unexpected.