Heiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier
Covington Brewhouse

Heiner Brau Mardi Gras FestbierHeiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier
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From:
Covington Brewhouse
 
Louisiana, United States
Style:
Festbier / Wiesnbier
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
77
Avg:
3.23 | pDev: 17.03%
Reviews:
28
Ratings:
30
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 28, 2014
Added:
Nov 22, 2006
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  0
A Bavarian style lager, light copper colored, medium build beer with a malty finish. In Bavaria, this beer is usually brewed in late summer to celebrate the bringing in of the harvest. With a fresh Festbier in hand, your celebration of the chilly “Mardi Gras” season will warm your heart.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by RonaldTheriot:
Photo of RonaldTheriot
Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana

4/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Heiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier has a medium, off-white head and a clear, amber appearance, with lots of bubbles streaming up, but not much lacing left behind. The aroma is faint, but one picks up some floral hops and water. Taste is grassy, and some piney hops show up. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Heiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier finishes crisp, refreshing, and mostly dry. Overall, this is a very good beer, and I recommend you give it a try.

RJT
Mar 04, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Sep 28, 2014
Photo of brewskifan55
Reviewed by brewskifan55 from Mississippi

3.65/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a plastic cup on Sunday Gras while waiting for the Krewe of Thoth parade.

A: Amber, half finger head that stays. Light lacing

S: malty, biscuity, floral, earthy.

T: A nice surprise. Malty with caramel sweetness. A lager feel with more umph.

M: Light to medium; not much carbonation.

O: A decent Octoberfest. Very sessionable. Wish I'd bought more to enjoy the afternoon parades with. I'll drink again. I enjoyed Heinerbrau's fall Oktoberfest. These guys really do their beers well.
Feb 20, 2012
Photo of AgentMunky
Reviewed by AgentMunky from New York

3.67/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a cervoise glass. No visible best before date. Twist-off cap.

A: Very little head. It fizzes and disappears almost instantly. The beer is a pellucid gold, with no carbonation/agitation.

S: Sharply lagery; sourdough bread dough.

T: Surprisingly, it's actually pretty good. Primarily sweet, with a strong supporting malt base that preserves the sense of sourdough indicated by the nose. Toasty and slightly buttery, this is a damn good Oktoberfest.

M: Only lightly carbonated, with a persistent sweet-dry maltiness that I'm not entirely sure if I like lingering.

O: Normally a style I avoid, Covington has done an excellent job in creating this Oktoberfest. I would drink it again, if not regularly, and it is exceedingly pleasant.
Jan 12, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Exiled from Texas

Nov 26, 2011
Photo of TheHoppiest
Reviewed by TheHoppiest from Ohio

3.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Got this in a trade with my cousin out of NOLA. Given that this is likely one of the last nice days of fall, I thought it appropriate to give this festbier a whirl.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a mug. Pours a pumpkin orange, with a one finger head that quickly reduces to a thin skim.

Has a mildly spiced malty aroma. Hints of caramel are there, but minimally so.

Taste is clean and easy, grassy with wisps of smoke. Has a pithy bitter finish, but not in a hoppy way. More of a sticky, tacky bitter that gets a bit wearing as you drink more of this beer.

Light to medium bodied, with a creamy middle before the tacky finish, this is an easy drinking brew.

I've had a lot of Oktoberfest style beers this year. While not among the top tier, this is still a decent festbier that I've got to imagine would be much better on tap than it is bottled.
Nov 06, 2011
Photo of zbellino
Reviewed by zbellino from Louisiana

3.59/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
NOTE: BA has this one mislabeled. So, Heiner Brau offer TWO Festbiers. One is in Fall and the other is in Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras beer is much lighter take on what a Marzen is supposed to be. Reviewers here should specify which one they drank, because it makes a big difference.

A - The color is a fantastic ochre with a little clarity too it. IT pours about a one inch off-white head with very little lacing. It looks like a Marzen, but the head is a bit thin.

S - Very, very good. The malts are very fuity. Most of the fruit is like strawberry with a caramel apple running slightly behind it, and a very 'Heiner Brau' yeast characteristic underneath.

T - Good! Right up front, this is a malty beer. And it runs really fruity on the front of the tongue, again I would say strawberry and banana malty goodness. Not much burnt malt at all, but a little caramelization in the middle. Slightly bitter blackberry/strawberry finish on the back of the palate that keeps it very drinkable and not at all cloying.

M - Perhaps a little slick for this style. Do sense diacetyl in there? Any how, just above average for an Octoberfest here. Though again not heavy at all. I think perhaps the weak carbonation has to do with the mouthfeel.

O - A conservative take on the style. IT's brewed, in many ways, to really emulate what this beer should be and only really falls short on the foam.
Oct 12, 2011
Photo of schwaeh
Reviewed by schwaeh from Ohio

3.02/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Extra from injuredreserve

A: Pours a very light amber with a 1.5 finger head. Really active carbonation. This is way lighter and more transparent than most Marzens I've had.

S: Bready malts, slight nuttiness, and some metallic aromas. Smells fairly status-quo for the style, just to a lesser extent. This is right there beside the sweetest examples of the style, also fairly highly hopped.

T: This is very nutty, like it was brewed with walnut shells or something similar. The typical bready malt, high sweetness, and some grassy hops are all here. The flavor seems subdued when compared with the top of the style. Man, that nutty flavor is prominent. If only they turned the malts up some more.

M: Thin mouthfeel, decent carbonation. Just seems really drinkable like it should. A bit thin for my tastes.

O: This is pretty decent, it doesn't play with the big boys but its a lot better than Michelob and a few others I've had.
Oct 03, 2011
Photo of tempest
Reviewed by tempest from New York

2.68/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Picked up a sixer at Rouses in NoLa. My hopes weren't high, but this beer is pretty far off the marks. There's a slight acidic tang to the finish-not good-and the amber beer is hazy. The nutty toasty malt note is interesting, but a bit out of place. The body is on, but this is not a good example of a fest beer. Move along, nothing to drink here.
Oct 01, 2011
Photo of seeswo
Reviewed by seeswo from Ohio

2.58/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Pours a light amber with a small amount of whitish head, The nose is a pretty strong dose of malt sweetness, almost a bit darker in flavor than expected. The taste is oddly sweet and yet also dry, a weird version of an Oktoberfest type beer that doesnt really come together. Bready, yeasty, weird. Doesn't taste good in a way that is hard to put my finger on. Medium low carbonation. Overall, just not much of a success.
May 21, 2011
Photo of tigg924
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: high carbonation, 1/2 inch head, gold in color, clear

Smell: toasted caramel malt

Taste: honey and caramel malt

Mouthfeel: sweet, high carbonation that is bordelrine prickly, light body

Overall: Must like malts to enjoy this one as it is full of them. Not overly complex, but clean and sessionable for the style. If I were not grading to style, though, I think this one would be more in the C+ to B- range.
Apr 08, 2011
Photo of megahurts4
Reviewed by megahurts4 from Louisiana

3.81/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Heiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier

Appearance: Golden amber, small head and good lacing.

Smell: Grains and malts.

Taste: Grains, malts, slight apple, and some hops.

Mouthfeel: Medium and smooth.

Overall:
This is a good brew. It is warming and inviting. The pleasantness of the flavor keeps you wanting more. It is light enough so that I could drink many of these, and heavy enough to satisfy my taste buds.
Oct 08, 2010
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had several of these while visiting Lukes (great place btw).

It is served in a glass that reminds me of a strange - the beer is copper with virtually no head.

The nose is of sweetish grains and grass.

The taste hits the mark with lightly roasted malts, some sweetness and a touch of spice bite at the finish.

The mouth is crisp with a lively level of carbonation. I think they hit the sweet spot with this one.
Oct 04, 2010
Photo of Mora2000
Reviewed by Mora2000 from Texas

3.32/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to exiled for sharing this beer.

The beer pours a clear pale yellow color with a white head. The aroma is corn, malt sweetness and wheat. The flavor is corn with some malt. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Tastes a lot like a macro lager, nothing you should seek out.
Mar 18, 2010
Photo of kingcrowing
Reviewed by kingcrowing from Vermont

3.97/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours a slightly cloudy ruddy light brown color with a small thin head. Nose is very sweet, malty and buscity, very nice.

Taste is rich, smooth and sharp. Light carbonation bumps up the drinkability. It's easy to drink and has a nice after taste. Good beer.
Feb 07, 2010
Photo of theboozecruise
Reviewed by theboozecruise from Louisiana

3.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Drank straight from the 12 oz. bottle.

Nice nose, caramel, malt... a lot what you would expect from the style.

Taste is more of the same... crisp, a little light, definite malt flavor with hints of caramel and toffee. Not bad at all.

This is a lot like their regular märzen which isn't surprising. Not spectacular, but far better than their kolsch.
Nov 08, 2009
Photo of theghost3
Reviewed by theghost3 from Louisiana

3.46/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a deep copper with a 1-finger, yellow-tinged white head that quickly disappates, no lacing.

Smell is subtle--some mild, caramel malts & a hint of hops. Taste is grainy with some caramel, spices, & slight hops. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, smooth.

This is a fairly drinkable beer. It's not at the top of the style, but it's sessionable.
Aug 08, 2009
Photo of champ103
Reviewed by champ103 from Texas

2.88/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a clear golden color. At first a two finger head rises, but recedes in an instant. No lace.
S: Sweet grain and cereal. A sulfur and metallic twang that I don't like at all.
T: Sweet grain and cereal again. Caramel is very light. Maybe some grass hops as well. Not much is here, but enjoyable.
M/D: A light body with a clean crisp snap of carbonation. Fairly easy and smooth to drink.

Kind of bland and sub par. Nothing really bad, just not exciting at all. This would be a good swilling beer in New Orleans during Mardi Gras though. Which I guess is the point, otherwise I would avoid this.
Jul 05, 2009
Photo of twiggamortis420
Reviewed by twiggamortis420 from Texas

3.72/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a mostly clear medium gold color with a frothy bone-white head. Retention is just ok, as is the lacing.

Sweet grainy malts are about all I get on the nose. Perhaps some faint grassy hops if you really look hard. No fruity esters and overall a pretty clean smelling beer.

Very bready flavor, bordering on a loaf of sourdough. Grainy and biscuit notes float in there as well. Just a smidge of toasty malt and mild hop bitterness clean up the palate at the end decently. Reminds me a bit of the Spaten Ur-marzen...a nice malty festbier that goes down smooth and easy. Most likely better than 96% of the beer consumed during Mardi Gras. IMO, this beer carries the name well, it's a good session beer and can be drunk in mass quantities.
Mar 26, 2009
Photo of Vengeance526
Reviewed by Vengeance526 from Louisiana

2.73/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a dark amber color that leaves a thin white head which quickly dissipates. Really not much to see here.

Not much going on in the aroma either. Fruity/citrusy and a bit of sweet malt.

Faint taste of caramel and citrus but it seems like the most prominent taste is that of stale bread. A little bit of spice comes through as well and I think the balance that provides helps make the flavor a bit more tolerable.

Fells very light and somewhat watered down. I'd really like to say good things about Heinryk and HB since they're local but there is much to be desired in this one. Maybe I'll give it another try down the line just to see but for now I think it is safe to say I won't be enjoying Mardi Gras with this in hand.
Jan 26, 2009
Heiner Brau Mardi Gras Festbier from Covington Brewhouse
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 30 ratings