Nutfield Harvest Ale

Brewed by Nutfield Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Derry, New Hampshire USA

While Octoberfest beers are typically not my favorite I did enjoy this one. Amber in color with a moderate off white head. The aroma is pretty mild, with some malts and wood characters in it, although nothing really stands out. It’s a clean tasting Octoberfest. Malty with caramel flavors and a touch of bitterness in the finish. Pretty warming but not as much as other beers of the style. 6.25 percent is relatively high considering and they hide it well. There are some hops in the background but they don’t hit you until well after the malt/caramel flavors. It’s a good beer and when considering the style again I’d definitely give this another look.

Light amber in color with a small white head and brillant clearity Malty bread aroma with subtle hops. Starts bitter,mild caramel malt,subtle fruit with a tangy sweet finish.

A bonus bottle from lmgraz1, this pours a nice golden color, a little bit of white head that faded right away. Very hoppy, in both the aroma and flavor...none of the spices or fruit tones that I expect in a fest beer. Bitter on the tail, with only a little bit of body. Not making my top 5 marzens.

Poured golden orange. Good sized head, as It dissipates it leaves very nice lacing. Good aroma of maple sugar cookies, and pine like hops. Flavor is just not there. There is a slight after taste of hops, but this is more like watery nothing. So disappointed.the alcohol is well hidden. As this warms, the complex flavors come out , and I think this is a good Marzen.

Head is initially small, frothy, off-white, mostly diminishing. Body is medium amber. Aroma is lightly malty (cookie, grain), lightly hoppy (pine, resin). Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, heavily bitter, husky. Medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation. Oktoberfest my eye.

Medium coppery color white fine head. Nice malty aroma with a nice dry malty flavor. Good somewhat fruity tones in the taste. Nice finish.

I want to love Nutfield, I really do. I lived so close to them I could hit them with a golf ball. I think American brewers kick ass and are teaching the Europeans how to make some beers these days. However, no American brewer makes a truly great Oktoberfest. Lucky Germans. And Nutfield can’t make one that I’d buy again. <sigh>

Solid fall seasonal. Thick malt base of toffee and toasted bready malts with a slight Ringwood fruitiness. Tingling hop balance and a mellow sweetness. Taste is reminescent of a combo of apple and pumpkin pie.