= Brewpub93 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.6% ABV (10/07)
Amber color. Intense focused aromas of spicy banana bread, dried fruits, oily nuts and toffee. A lush, smooth entry leads to a rich, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of chocolate-covered cherries and nuts, caramel, lemon curd and mild clay-like hop flavors with a long, velvety finish. Impressive and eminently drinkable.
92 Oktoberfest, Lake Superior Brewing (MN). 5.96% ABV (11/09)
Pure copper color. Fruity caramel yogurt and raisin toast aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with sweet roasted grain and toasted pastry notes in fine balance. Finishes with a long, citrusy, earthy, grassy hop-accented fade. A delicious version of Oktoberfest that will work great on the holiday table.
92 Oktoberfest Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Rich amber color. Aromas of peach danish and orange marmalade on toast follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with custard notes. Finishes with a long, interplay of sweet citrus pastry and grassy earthy hop notes. Excellent style and drinkability.
92 Lager, Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. (NY). 5.8% ABV (10/07)
Deep amber brown color. Dark honey roasted nut, burnt sugar and delicate anise aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of dates and raisins, caramel, orange honey and dark roasted nuts. Finishes with a lingering, sweet mocha and lemon curd fade. Very tasty.
92 Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 6.3% ABV (10/08)
Pale golden amber color. Brioche, toasted nut, grilled lemon and clay aromas follow through on a lively, chewy entry to a dryish medium-full body with plush carbonation and baked apple and citrus accents. Finishes with a very long, tangy and astringent nut bread and citrus marmalade fade. A very zesty Oktoberfest beer that will cut through greasy and spicy food like a knife.
91 Oktoberfest, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (10/08)
Brilliant amber color. Sea salt, cheese rind and yeasty dough aromas follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a seamless smooth carbonation and notes of dates and toffee. Finishes in a long, rich cocoa, buttered raisin nut toast and lemon zest fade with comforting warmth. A delicious and flavorful Oktoberfest to savor, not quaff.
91 Oktoberfest Beer, Penn Brewery (PA). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Bright amber color. Toasted cheese pastry, mild baked citrus and honey aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with soft integration of flavors and light toast and citrusy hop fade. A dry, crisp and refreshing märzen.
91 Hoptoberfest, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Pure aromas of roasted nuts, brown sugar and ruby grapefruit follow through on a round, supple entry to a finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with sweet melon and custard notes. Finishes with a grassy, lightly phenolic American and European hop fade. A fun, amped-up hop take on märzen that is stylistically incorrect but palate-wise very tasty and adventurous.
90 Voll-Damm Märzen, Damm Brewery (Spain). 7.2% ABV (11/09)
Pale amber color. Grainy, nutty, sour bread dough aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a very dry, medium-full body with nice depth and balance. Finishes in a very long, honeyed citrus peel, pepper and cocoa-accented fade with excellent astringency. A märzen on steroids with excellent, rich malt and superb drinkability.
