93 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.
90 Vienna, Theresianer (Italy). 5.3% ABV (11/09)
Rich amber color. Curious aromas of dusty grain, peanut brittle and baked orange have dried seaweed and green algae notes underneath and follow through on a round, soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with distinct wrapped maki sushi and creamy, fruity panna cotta notes. Finishes with a long, interesting toast, citrus jelly and kelp-like umami hops. Fascinating; the ultimate sushi beer ?
90 Original Oktoberfest, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Rich copper color. Vibrant caramelized nut and toasted pumpernickel nut bread aromas follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with layers of praline, fig and orange soufflé notes. Finishes with a smooth, even, earthy hop fade. A delicious and balanced Oktoberfest designed to provide refreshment for the long haul and lots of pub grub.
90 Foxtoberfest, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.7% ABV (10/07) %{Brewpub}
Copper chestnut color. roasted coffee and burnt nut toast aromas follow through to a heavy roasted grain palate with burnt nuts and singed lemon rind flavor and a quick finish.
90 Brooklyn Oktoberfest, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Bright copper color. Pure honeyed toast and praline aromas and flavors with a smooth creamy medium-bodied palate and a gentle delicately floral hop fade. A tasty and true, highly drinkable Oktoberfest.
89 Oktoberfest Märzen, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Rich amber copper color. Vibrant aromas of brown sugar, hay and roasted nuts follow through on round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with citrus custard and praline notes and a clean, crisp, earthy hop finish. Nicely styled and balanced for long sessions.
88 Steg 150 Lager, The Lion Brewery (PA). 5.5% ABV (10/07)
Deep amber color. Sweet fruit nut fudge aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of cocoa-dusted raisin and date bread flavors with a creamy lemon frosting, delicate herb and river stone fade. A pure, bright, refreshing quaffer.
88 Samuel Adams Oktoberfest, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber copper color. Aromas of lemon zest, nutty muffin and faint barnyard hay follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a touch of creamy honeycomb and grass. Finishes with a crisp, refreshing citrus and earth-kissed hop finish. A tasty, easy drinking style.
88 Oktoberfest Lager, Mendocino Brewing Co. (CA). 5.7% ABV (10/07)
Brilliant deep amber color. Shy aromas of chocolate-covered lemon peels and nuts have a slightly soapy edge. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of toffee, lemon cream and floral bath oil flavors. Finishes with a lemon oil, toffee and cream fade.
88 Maierfest, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Bright light amber color. Aromas of crumbled crackers and grain have a faint honey and caramel quality and follow through on a supple, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with lemon curd and pistachio pudding notes. Finishes with a dried lemon peel, bread crust and mossy stone-accented fade. A tasty ale-like märzen.
88 Beck’s Oktoberfest Lager, Brauerei Beck & Co. (Germany). 5.2% ABV (11/07)
Pretty, deep copper color with a lacy head. Praline and raisin toast aromas follow through to a soft, frothy and dryish medium body with nice baked citrus, orange honey and roasted nut flavors with a crisp refreshing bittering hop fade. Well done and quite quaffable.
88 Baltika #4 Original Dark, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 5.6% ABV (10/08)
Deep reddish copper color with a taupe mousse. Haystack, fennel, melted brown sugar and dark roasted almond aromas follow through on a vigorously froth and round entry to a fruity sweet medium-to-full body with candied apricot and honeyed cinnamon raisin toast notes. Finishes with a caramelized orange, maple sugar and woodsy nutshell fade. A confected, chewy lager; try with Korean BBQ.
86 Point Oktoberfest, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.1% ABV (10/08)
Bright, light copper color. Light toast and lemon yogurt aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a tangy, light-to-medium body with a touch of praline and citrus rind. Finishes with a tangy green apple, nut bread and orange marmalade fade. Light and refreshing.
86 Michelob Märzen, Michelob Brewing Co. (MO). 5.1% ABV (10/08)
Amber color with a blanket of mousse. Mild aromas of orange rind, nut and chocolate croissant follow through on a smooth, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with velvety carbonation and excellent integration of flavors. Finishes with a crisp, slightly fruity candied grapefruit peel, mossy hop, hard bread crust and dried peach fade. A tasty and easy drinking märzen that is sure to please the crowd.
86 Balto MärzHon Lager, Clipper City Brewing Co. (MD). 5.9% ABV (10/07)
Hazy amber color. Sweet and somewhat pungent baking spice and lemon curd aromas have a soapy edge and follow through to a dryish medium body of lemon custard, raisin bread and sweet salt water taffy flavors and a candied citrus fade.
85 Oktoberfest, Lancaster Brewing Co. (PA). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of cooked honey, baked peach, nut skin and buttermilk biscuit follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with molasses and roasted root vegetable and okra notes. Finishes with a crisp, mossy mineral and hay-like hop fade. An earthy, rustic take on an Oktoberfest; pair with pot roasts.
85 Brooklyn Lager, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Aromas of fresh, baled hay, pasta dough and dusty oregano-like hops follow through on round entry to a dryish medium body with roasted root vegetables and kale notes. Finishes with a buttermilk, fresh cut grass, pine cone and dried grapefruit peel fade. A bit unusual for a märzen style, but interesting, particularly for hopheads. Drink with food.
84 Oktoberfest Lager, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (10/07)
Slightly hazy, deep amber color. Fermenting cocoa nib, horse mane and dried tangerine aromas are unusual. A round entry leads to a mercurial, fruity medium body of slightly sour dried fruit, malted chocolate, yogurt and raw honey flavors with a quick old cream and toffee fade. Interesting, but somewhat off the mark; try with stinky triple cream cheeses.
84 Oktoberfest Bavarian-Style Lager, Upland Brewing (IN). 6.8% ABV (10/08)
Medium amber color with a slight haze. Orange soufflé, wheat grass and peppery spice aromas follow through on a rich, lightly prickly entry to a chewy, dryish medium-full body with caramel fudge, clay and wet grain notes. Finishes with a clanging wave of pine needle, grapefruit rind and pepper dust. A potent, almost imperial version of the style.
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