Surly SurlyFest

Brewed by Surly Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

Tap at Mad Capper in Stillwater. Pint appears copper amber with a nice white head and lace. The aroma is a solid malt foundation with some hops to show through. The flavor was much the same as the aroma, with a decent body for it being a lager. Overall, not my favorite Surly by any means, but not bad and a nice change of pace.

16 oz can. Pours a nice orange/ light copper color with an off white head that laces very nicely. Aroma is very strong on the citrus hops initially and then the caramel maltiness moves in to somewhat balance out the aroma...still a little heavy on the hops. Flavor is a nice sweet maltiness with a bit of citrus hops to back. Kinda weird because the aroma is the exact opposite. Very smooth and rather balanced. The mouthfeel it a bit thin for how bold the flavor is but..it is a lager, no worries. I love that they call this their "interpretation of a German Oktoberfest" because that is what it tastes like: Surly does Oktoberfest. Worthwhile.

Not being a fan of lagers, I’m impressed. On tap at SurlyFest 2008, pours a dark copper with white head. Aroma is pleasantly balanced of hops, yeast and malt. Flavor is hops initially, finishing with the yeast and malt. Palate is thin but good for a lager and has a slight bitterness. Definitely a good lager.

Fina example of a Marzen. Because it is a lager, it lacks the body I usually like in a beer, but this beer tasted nice and had a good hop presence. Here’s to the can!

The beer was copper colored with a decent amount off-white head. The citrus hops are dominate in the bouquet of hops that they used. Tastes like furious with caramel malt. Which cuts the hops in a good way and makes it more drinkable.

Summit hops eh? Don’t believe I’m too familiar with many beers that use this hop. Nice to see it showcased here, with noticable bitterness. Perfect appearance. Copper with a light beige head. Aroma is spicy hop blending with the signature breadiness of an Oktoberfest. Mine was a little too cold when I poured it so the hops were big in my face and huge on the tongue. As it warms up a bit it’s much more balanced right now. About 3/4 of the way through this glass and it keeps getting better....Nice bready flavor with the hops being there just to complement with spiciness and a snappy finish. Right amount of carbonation. Not sticky and heavy like some INFERIOR Oktoberfests. ;) Love the toffee, bread and spiciness of this beer. Must be the Rye...Another balanced one that I consider one of those that illustrates "what beer tastes like". Excellent stuff. Would like to have some with a little time on it just to see if the hops mellow a tad.

Comes in a Can. Loved the checks on the can as well. Pours an amber orange with a big white head. Aroma and flavor is german malts, crisp sweet malt, some hops and pine. Another solid surly!

Can at DLD: Copper in color. There was a nice balance of hops and malt in this medium-bodied beer. It was a bit hard to taste this will all of the other heavy beers on the table.