Rio Salado Monsoon Maerzen Amber Lager
Rio Salado Brewing Company

Rio Salado Monsoon Maerzen Amber LagerRio Salado Monsoon Maerzen Amber Lager
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From:
Rio Salado Brewing Company
 
Arizona, United States
Style:
Märzen
ABV:
6.38%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.76 | pDev: 14.36%
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
19
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 06, 2005
Added:
Sep 16, 2002
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PartyHatjo:
Photo of PartyHatjo
Reviewed by PartyHatjo from Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Thanks again to nvsblman for this bonus beer.

Appearance: Deep orange bordering on tan...very clear brew. Head is an airy white--about 3/4 of an inch thick--dissipates quickly into a "monolayer" of foam, but laces somewhat along the glass.

Aroma: Strong maltiness in the smell. Slight amount of citrus not typical of the style, but interesting nonetheless.

Taste: I've really started to like the maerzen/oktoberfest style of beer lately, and this is no exception. Interestingly enough there is a strong hop flavor present, but it's not so much the spiciness of noble hops here, but something more typical of american (or english for that matter), slight citrus, with a bit of grassiness as well. The malts present are what I'm accustomed to in the style, yet this beer is drier than most. Bitterness is definitely on the low end, even for a maerzen.

Mouthfeel: Body is light-to-medium. Could be a bit higher for this beer. Carbonation levels could also be a bit higher. Could be a bit sweeter.

Drinkability: One of the more drinkable maerzens. Lighter body makes it a smooth, easy session brew. The medium-high ABV is not noticable at all.
May 21, 2004
More User Ratings:
Photo of oggg
Reviewed by oggg from California

4.22/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a brilliantly clear orange, with a nicely rousable tan head. Great lace at the top of the glass. The aroma of German hops can be found amidst a biscuity maltiness. Bitterness is very low and almost immediately give way to a clean mild caramel maltiness. There just isn't enough in there, and it falls apart in the middle to the end -- very thin and watery. Surprising for this 6% beer. It finishes very syrupy. Alcohol subtle.

Overall: fairly light lager, not very adventurous, and not bitter.

---
2/15/05
Is this a different beer? There are flecks in my beer and sediment in the bottle. Big aroma of caramel and German floral hops. Firm hop bite, long complex maltiness with lots of biscuit. And huge noble hop flavor. Huge! Finish is still sticky.

Overall: I really dig the malt and hops this time -- the hop presence is strong but elegant. I've changed my previous ratings because I was obviously on crack before.
Jan 06, 2005
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Picked a 6 pack of this up at my local Sprouts store for $4.99.

It is a copper colored brew that poured a small thin head that left a bit of a lacing. I detected the nose of sweet malts and nothing much beyond that. Taste was strong of the malts with almost a bready quality. The mouthfeel was decently full but not overly lively on the palate. This is a tasty brew, very quaffable for the monsoon season we experience here in Arizona.
Sep 06, 2004
Photo of abents
Reviewed by abents from Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy reddish orange with a nice white head and great lacing. Sweet malty nose on this baby with a citrus hint in there somewhere. Starts nice with a great hoppy taste of citrus fruits followed by a sweet malts. Bready tasting and the finish is a sweet citrusy very interesting. Nicely refreshing brew that goes down smooth. Great beer.
Thanks to nvsblman for the brew.
May 31, 2004
Photo of PSUDREW
Reviewed by PSUDREW from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Light head, that dissapates quickly leaving slight lacing.

It pours a nice deep amber color full of a nice amount of bubbles

this has a very interesting taste. I really like the citrusy-hop flavor that dominates the intiatal taste, and it also compliments the nice malty finish, even to the point where you still taste it w/ the malt.

This is a very, very nice beer. Recomend it to your non BA friends, and, quite frankly this is quite the nice Marzen, and thankfully it can be enjoyed at any time. it is a delight

thank again to nvsblman, brian, you sure know how to pick 'em
May 01, 2004
Photo of francisweizen
Reviewed by francisweizen from Washington

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A light to dark orange brew with a small off-white head the dies quickly but leaves some interesting lacing patterns on my glass. The aromas are sweet, malty, and vegetal, with some definate floral hoppiness in the mix as well. The taste is malty and yet quite hoppy on the finish. This is really a sweet, malty, bready marzen, that may lack complexity, but not tastyness! The mouthfeel is semi-thick to medium and the drinkability is good as wel. A really nice version.
Apr 16, 2004
Photo of RoyalT
Reviewed by RoyalT from Michigan

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance – Orangish-brown in color with a nice, clean head that left some beautiful lacing.

Smell – The aroma is light, even after warming, but the toasted, buttery malts come out nicely.

Taste – The toasted malts come out well at the taste. They are very sweet and laced with a nice caramel flavoring.

Mouthfeel – Medium in the body and very creamy. This is the lager’s strong point, IMHO.

Drinkability – I had no problem putting this one away. It went down creamy smooth and was very satisfying.

Comments – I have been very impressed with this brewery. They did a good job in the Hefeweizen & Altbier styles, and this one is a gem as well. A much-appreciative BA thumbs up to Gusler for sending a few of the Rio Salado offerings my way.
Feb 05, 2004
Photo of mrpicklerelish
Reviewed by mrpicklerelish from Arizona

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Apperance - Poured to a nice copper amber color with a medium white head that formed some pretty nice lacing around my glass.

Smell - A sweet malty note was noticed along with a brief note of hops.

Taste - A very sweet tasting beer with very little hops noticed. No other flavors really stuck out.

Mouthfeel - Had a very light and crisp taste to it, very smooth, very easy going.

Drinkability - Very easy to drink beer even with the ABV of 6.38%. You could easily have a few of these beers after a hot day working in the sun a feel refreshed.

Comments - Having had this beer both on-tap and in bottles, I can say that they pretty much taste the same both ways. So if all you can find is in bottles, what you taste is what you get. It is a relatively smooth beer but a little light on the taste. A nice all around brew but nothing really special.
Jan 26, 2004
Photo of jcalabre
Reviewed by jcalabre from California

2.53/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Appearance: This brew has a very nice amber color with a think white head.
Aroma: The nose is slightly sweet with some spicy notes to it.
Flavor: Nothing special. There isn't much maltiness to it. The flavors are very muted.
In summary, if you're looking for an Oktoberfest, find another. This one is all looks, no substance.
Oct 10, 2003
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Nice clear amber color. Lightly hop-spicy aroma. Smells subtly sweet as well. Malty tasting with a bit of sweetness. There is diacetyl up front and in the finish as well. Makes me wonder if I have suddenly become overly sensitive to it. Diacetyl is not super strong, but is jarringly out of place in this beer. It gets in the way of the maltiness. This beer has a great body and a malty sweetness, this would be a killer beer if not for buttery flavors.
Sep 19, 2003
Photo of beerguy101
Reviewed by beerguy101 from California

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Medium amber color, large head. Malty and hoppy. A medium bodied Marzen-style lager. Slightly sweet malts, yet there is the very noticeable hoppyness to this beer. Good balance. Nice full flavor, smooth taste. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.
Sep 17, 2003
Photo of tavernjef
Reviewed by tavernjef from Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Lighter amber color, finger high head of creamy tight foam, lace is in thin strings and spots. Smell is mostly sweet caramel malts with light citrus, short lived and soft. Taste is more of the same. Sweet caramel malts with light citrus drifting in through the finish with crispy lightness. Feel is a lighter medium bodied, crispy mid range, and a slight creamyness. the 6.3% ABV that this has never shows so thats a bit of a plus for what comes out in the end as a slighty above average fest brew.

Thanks to Gusler for the bottle.
Jul 10, 2003
Photo of GreenCard
Reviewed by GreenCard from Maryland

3.44/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: light copper color, sudsy head sticks around for a while, good clarity, inviting

Aroma: caramelly bouquet, slight floral hop note, dried figs

Flavor: toasty/biscuity maltiness, balanced hop flavor and bitterness, sweet malt thread in mid-taste, caramel, some pineappley esters, semi-sweet finish with the bitterness returning at the very end

Mouthfeel: medium-light body, fine-bead carbonation

Overall Impression: not one of my favorites from this reputable AZ brewery (their Schwarzebier is still holds that title), but it's a tasty, well-crafted beer nonetheless.

*Note: the first sample I tasted was a bit hazy and overly hoppy, so I initially scored it lower. However, I have had several more since then and they have all been brilliantly clear and nicely balanced. Perhaps there was an off batch.
May 27, 2003
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

2.53/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Appearance: a muddy amber color, the body accompanied by various floaties swimming around, and the bubbly, white head is large at first, but short-lived.
Aroma: clean, and empty.
Taste: sweet, and a little sour, too, not at all what I'd expect out of a marzen. Citric acidity leads the flavor profile, and, frankly, ruins it
These flavors balance out a bit, as we drink it down, but, ultimately, it's not enough. This brew doesn't quite cut it.
Thanks, though, to Gusler for sending it out.
(P.S. Reading other reviews lead me to believe that I have an inferior sample, somehow? Anyways, I calls 'em likes I drinks 'em!)
May 18, 2003
Photo of BigHead
Reviewed by BigHead from Arizona

3.93/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I used to be nicknamed Maerzen for a short time due to some behavior inspired by this style of beer, so I have a connection with this brew. Purdy...that's what I said when I poured this, a nice copper amber, clear with a nice sized head that fizzled down to a thin coating atop the body of the beer. The bouquet of this beer was not overly present, but I detected some of the malt and a bread undertone. A nice taste to this beer and the texture was impressive. The sweetness of the malts are easly detectable and mix well the the hops used in this lager. I enjoyed the contribution of the malts which added a nice sweetness to what is considered a lager. It flowed smoothly, leaving a relatively neutral aftertaste. Good beer.
May 01, 2003
Photo of Bierman9
Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
My last foray, for now, into the Rio Salado stable.
This Fest type bier pours a bit darker than the Munchen styles, yet its' color is still quite tantalizing! It is a deep copper hue, with a suggestion of haze, and a huge, rocky topping. The head, light tan in color, does shrink down to a fine, bubbly coating on the bier, with a respectable bit of lacework. The nose is all bready, toasty malt - much like some of the better Fests. Hmmm...a body a bit fuller than most (and most are about medium-bodied), and a velvety smoothness on the tongue. Relatively speaking, of course; this does not have the velvety/silky feel of a good stout, yet is still pretty easy-going for a Marzen. This bier has a real good malty backbone, with a nice, mild sweetness all the way. Hops are present, yet do not interfere with the work of the malt, imo. It gives me a hankerin' (can I say that, being above the Mason-Dixon line?) for a full litre stein of this stuff. Quite, quite enjoyable.....transports me back to the Fatherland for a moment.... Vielen Dank, Herr Gusler!!
Prosit!!!
Feb 27, 2003
Photo of mzwolinski
Reviewed by mzwolinski from California

4.35/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Clear, attractive copper in color. Very well-carbonated with a thinnish head. Nice aroma dominated by toasted malts gives a certain nutty scent to the beer. Big, sweet, crystal malt flavor. Toasty notes also present throughout. Hop presence throughout is fairly strong for the style -- noticeable flavor and a, how shall we say, "strongly moderate" hop bitterness at the finish. This and the good level of carbonation help cut the sweetness a bit and make for a nicely balanced beer, with a slightly dry finish. Relatively strong hop presence makes sense, given that this beer is also on the upper end of the scale for alcohol for its style. What can I say, though, it works! An Oktoberfest with a real presence. Good stuff.
Dec 12, 2002
Photo of Gusler
Reviewed by Gusler from Arizona

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The beer pours crystal clear deep amber or burnished copper color, the head is light tan, modest in size, creamy in texture, the lace glutinous sheets. The malt dominates nose; maybe a tad toasted grains, quite clean and fresh. Front is malt, somewhat sweet, the top is middling in mouth feel, finish is dynamically hopped, daringly carbonated and the aftertaste droughty. So far I would venture to say this is the best beer that I have tasted from Rio Salado. Why you might ask, because it has a substantial body, malt laden and almost not quite over the top with hops, and a decent ABV, to lightly warm the “Tummy” Well done Rio Salado.
Nov 12, 2002
Photo of astrobrewer
Reviewed by astrobrewer from Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
An excellent craft-brewed Maerzen beer. Appearance is reddish-amber color with good clarity. The flavor and aroma both have very nice maltiness as appropriate for the style. This beer is well balanced with just enough bitterness and not too much hoppiness. It is an all-around very clean tasting beer. It's good enough that even friends who usually only order weak fizzy yellow beers like it when I serve it at parties.
Sep 16, 2002
Rio Salado Monsoon Maerzen Amber Lager from Rio Salado Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 19 ratings