Oktoberfest Märzen
Paulaner Brauerei
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Lager - Märzen
Ranked #19 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,588 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 11.28%
- Reviews:
- 1,229
- Ratings:
- From:
- Paulaner Brauerei
- Germany
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 119
- Gots
- 433
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
An amber beer style that was developed to celebrate the original Oktoberfest over 200 years ago. This full bodied beer with its rich malt flavor, dark toffee note and underlying fruitiness has a masterful hop balance.
The secrets behind Paulaner's excellent taste and unwavering quality are locally sourced ingredients and a tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down and perfected by our dedicated brewmasters since 1634. Here in Munich, Paulaner beer is not a mere product -- It's a matter of the heart.
The secrets behind Paulaner's excellent taste and unwavering quality are locally sourced ingredients and a tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down and perfected by our dedicated brewmasters since 1634. Here in Munich, Paulaner beer is not a mere product -- It's a matter of the heart.
Reviews: 1,229
| Ratings: 2,869
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milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Attractive clear amber appearance with a large off white head and good lacing. Lightly toasted malts are the mainstay of the aroma while the hoppier aspects are well concealed. Taste pretty much follows the same script; the malts are assertive while hops add enough to the equation to bring a little bitterness into focus. Overall, a clean refreshing mouthfeel well suited to the style.
Oct 06, 2021
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Attractive clear amber appearance with a large off white head and good lacing. Lightly toasted malts are the mainstay of the aroma while the hoppier aspects are well concealed. Taste pretty much follows the same script; the malts are assertive while hops add enough to the equation to bring a little bitterness into focus. Overall, a clean refreshing mouthfeel well suited to the style.
Oct 06, 2021
hankp59 from New York
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Medium amber color with a medium mouthfeel. Not too bready, malty sweet or hoppy. You get the bread, you get the malt and then floral hops for a dry finish. Goldilocks for the style this stuff is great, go get some.
Oct 06, 2021
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Medium amber color with a medium mouthfeel. Not too bready, malty sweet or hoppy. You get the bread, you get the malt and then floral hops for a dry finish. Goldilocks for the style this stuff is great, go get some.
Oct 06, 2021
WaterBoar from Pennsylvania
4.52/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Marzens, German for the Month of March, brew this beer using late winter barely, malt, brewer's water, and yeast following Reinheitsgebot. Amber color, great nose, great flavor and 35$ a case here in Philadelphia. I drank this the week is was available in August from my suppliers who don't understand this is available all year. There is also Oktoberfest Bier which is lighter in color but they sold out of that so I wound up getting a Spaten Oktoberfest variety pack. I also want to get a Weinenstephan Oktoberfest but they wanted $49.99 a case which comes out to 2$ a bottle. This beer is heavy in Plato, and heavy on the palette but this beer sneaks up on you on your fifth you feel like you can have another then on your sixth you are not on about your 7.5 8th, this beer is perfect for German foods too.
Sep 18, 2021
4.52/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Marzens, German for the Month of March, brew this beer using late winter barely, malt, brewer's water, and yeast following Reinheitsgebot. Amber color, great nose, great flavor and 35$ a case here in Philadelphia. I drank this the week is was available in August from my suppliers who don't understand this is available all year. There is also Oktoberfest Bier which is lighter in color but they sold out of that so I wound up getting a Spaten Oktoberfest variety pack. I also want to get a Weinenstephan Oktoberfest but they wanted $49.99 a case which comes out to 2$ a bottle. This beer is heavy in Plato, and heavy on the palette but this beer sneaks up on you on your fifth you feel like you can have another then on your sixth you are not on about your 7.5 8th, this beer is perfect for German foods too.
Sep 18, 2021
GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.06/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Enjoy best before March 2022"; drank 9/16/21 @ the Yarchives.
See-through golden appearance.
An even pour yielded a big eggshell head; frothy, tree-rung lace.
Caramel, sweet corn & fresh wheat notes in the nose.
Medium thick, stick mouthfeel.
Caramel, acorn & brown sugar flavors; sweet but substantial.
A nice marzen.
Sep 17, 2021
4.06/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Enjoy best before March 2022"; drank 9/16/21 @ the Yarchives.
See-through golden appearance.
An even pour yielded a big eggshell head; frothy, tree-rung lace.
Caramel, sweet corn & fresh wheat notes in the nose.
Medium thick, stick mouthfeel.
Caramel, acorn & brown sugar flavors; sweet but substantial.
A nice marzen.
Sep 17, 2021
Sabtos from Ohio
4.03/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pale amber, even nearly gold, with a lumpy off-white foam head.
Slightly maltier than the Rothaus Eiszapfle enjoyed before it, there's actually a note of amaretto within the minimally toasty malt.
The frothy but medium-light body finishes amazingly dry.
Sep 13, 2021
4.03/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pale amber, even nearly gold, with a lumpy off-white foam head.
Slightly maltier than the Rothaus Eiszapfle enjoyed before it, there's actually a note of amaretto within the minimally toasty malt.
The frothy but medium-light body finishes amazingly dry.
Sep 13, 2021
willcull78 from Ohio
4.16/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
An excellent brew as it should be coming from Paulaner. A nice deep and clear amber color. The hint of floral hops was quite prevalent preceding the taste of those floral hops. Quite delicious. I will certainly purchase more of this brew. Very nice.
Sep 12, 2021
4.16/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
An excellent brew as it should be coming from Paulaner. A nice deep and clear amber color. The hint of floral hops was quite prevalent preceding the taste of those floral hops. Quite delicious. I will certainly purchase more of this brew. Very nice.
Sep 12, 2021
trevormajor from Ohio
4.25/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle poured into an Octoberfest boot glass at 43 degrees F:
L - amber/light brown
S - malt sweetness, biscuit
T - nice mild malt sweetness, a bit of biscuit
F - light to medium mouthfeel and carbonation
O - very nice and mild marzen, it may be a few years old, but still holds its own
Sep 10, 2021
4.25/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle poured into an Octoberfest boot glass at 43 degrees F:
L - amber/light brown
S - malt sweetness, biscuit
T - nice mild malt sweetness, a bit of biscuit
F - light to medium mouthfeel and carbonation
O - very nice and mild marzen, it may be a few years old, but still holds its own
Sep 10, 2021
boblimbo13
3.31/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
Still not sure whether I like wheat beers or not. This has a very curious flavour. A kind of subdued taste to it but it's very full and airy in the mouth.
Aug 31, 2021
3.31/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
Still not sure whether I like wheat beers or not. This has a very curious flavour. A kind of subdued taste to it but it's very full and airy in the mouth.
Aug 31, 2021
deleted_user_1277721
3.34/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Revisiting Paulaner's Oktoberfest.
Start at 5.8% abv this is similar to their other offering under the Hacker Pschorr label. Hue srm 15, a nice light gold amber with large carbonation throughout the body. The head is an off white 3 finger and slightly creamy in appearance. Scent of light bread notes, slight honey, and floral notes.
Tasting notes include brown bread crust, a light mouthfeel and a bit of a spicy note that is dry in the finish. Like many others within the style the ABV is well hidden, similar to what I have seen in Ayinger and Bitburgers exported festbiers. Though I do find the malt to be a bit lighter on this, it is exceptionally basic but enough to be enjoyable.
My final opinions: Paulaner's closest comparison in marzen style beers would be a more in depth Sam Adams Oktoberfest but from Germany. This is an exceptional beer from one of the tent bier brewers, but unlike Bitburger whose signature hops took their marzen to the next level this one is average using tradition and something else a bit more spicy and to be honest I get bit of wet hair moldiness from the flavor. It is a strange thing but a but of mildew like taste similar to wet paper smell in the back end tasting notes and I have this within the style before too. This was selling for much more than the better Hacker Pschorr and was even more expensive than Sierra Nevada's 2021, ymmv.
Aug 26, 2021
3.34/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Revisiting Paulaner's Oktoberfest.
Start at 5.8% abv this is similar to their other offering under the Hacker Pschorr label. Hue srm 15, a nice light gold amber with large carbonation throughout the body. The head is an off white 3 finger and slightly creamy in appearance. Scent of light bread notes, slight honey, and floral notes.
Tasting notes include brown bread crust, a light mouthfeel and a bit of a spicy note that is dry in the finish. Like many others within the style the ABV is well hidden, similar to what I have seen in Ayinger and Bitburgers exported festbiers. Though I do find the malt to be a bit lighter on this, it is exceptionally basic but enough to be enjoyable.
My final opinions: Paulaner's closest comparison in marzen style beers would be a more in depth Sam Adams Oktoberfest but from Germany. This is an exceptional beer from one of the tent bier brewers, but unlike Bitburger whose signature hops took their marzen to the next level this one is average using tradition and something else a bit more spicy and to be honest I get bit of wet hair moldiness from the flavor. It is a strange thing but a but of mildew like taste similar to wet paper smell in the back end tasting notes and I have this within the style before too. This was selling for much more than the better Hacker Pschorr and was even more expensive than Sierra Nevada's 2021, ymmv.
Aug 26, 2021
Parmesan from Colorado
4.21/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L:. Pours a copper/light amber color with a small white head and some lacing on the glass.
S:. Sweet cereal, grain, a touch of caramel with a note of floral hops.
T:. Lots of toasted grain, some caramel, a touch of sweet cereal malt, and a medium bitterness, very drinkable.
F:. Medium body, smooth and drinkable
O;. This is a very enjoyable Oktoberfest.
Aug 18, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L:. Pours a copper/light amber color with a small white head and some lacing on the glass.
S:. Sweet cereal, grain, a touch of caramel with a note of floral hops.
T:. Lots of toasted grain, some caramel, a touch of sweet cereal malt, and a medium bitterness, very drinkable.
F:. Medium body, smooth and drinkable
O;. This is a very enjoyable Oktoberfest.
Aug 18, 2021
HorseheadsHophead from Colorado
4.57/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Crystal clear, dark copper/light amber in color with lots of bubbles and a soapy beige head. Good retention and lacing!
Smells like straight up freshly baked brown bread with hints of honey and flowers.
Tastes like freshly baked, toasty brown bread and crust with wildflower honey and caramel. Faintly floral, grassy hops linger in the background and offer merely a suggestion of bittering balance. Finishes out like 75% crisp and clean with a slightly lingering caramel/honey sweetness that leaves the palate slick without ever approaching cloying.
What else can I say? This is a flawless Marzen, spot on for the style. Absolutely delicious.
Aug 12, 2021
4.57/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Crystal clear, dark copper/light amber in color with lots of bubbles and a soapy beige head. Good retention and lacing!
Smells like straight up freshly baked brown bread with hints of honey and flowers.
Tastes like freshly baked, toasty brown bread and crust with wildflower honey and caramel. Faintly floral, grassy hops linger in the background and offer merely a suggestion of bittering balance. Finishes out like 75% crisp and clean with a slightly lingering caramel/honey sweetness that leaves the palate slick without ever approaching cloying.
What else can I say? This is a flawless Marzen, spot on for the style. Absolutely delicious.
Aug 12, 2021
DavetotheB from Pennsylvania
4.31/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From an 11.2oz bottle dated best before 4/2022 into a weizen.
Pours a translucent amber color with about one and a half fingers of light beige head which dissipates fairly quickly to a thin layer. Moderate lacing.
Smells strongly of sweet bread. Picking up carmel and some light floral.
Taste follows the nose. Bready, carmel character and just a bit of bitterness.
Full bodied mouthfeel for a lager. Moderate carbonation. Slight bready, bitter aftertaste. VERY easy drinking-smooth!
This is probably the best Marzen I've had. Just a pleasure to drink.
Aug 07, 2021
4.31/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From an 11.2oz bottle dated best before 4/2022 into a weizen.
Pours a translucent amber color with about one and a half fingers of light beige head which dissipates fairly quickly to a thin layer. Moderate lacing.
Smells strongly of sweet bread. Picking up carmel and some light floral.
Taste follows the nose. Bready, carmel character and just a bit of bitterness.
Full bodied mouthfeel for a lager. Moderate carbonation. Slight bready, bitter aftertaste. VERY easy drinking-smooth!
This is probably the best Marzen I've had. Just a pleasure to drink.
Aug 07, 2021
IPAs_for_days_13 from Texas
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L: Pours a nice reddish/orange with no real head at all.
S: Malty upfront, caramel, toasty, has a faint amount of alcohol smell.
T: Initially sweet from the malt, but ends with just enough hop bitterness that is very subtle. Once again it is toasty & somewhat bready.
F: Full-bodied, medium carbonation, smooth & creamy, yet somewhat crisp.
O: This is really a good Marzen style beer, best one I have tasted so far.
Feb 14, 2021
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L: Pours a nice reddish/orange with no real head at all.
S: Malty upfront, caramel, toasty, has a faint amount of alcohol smell.
T: Initially sweet from the malt, but ends with just enough hop bitterness that is very subtle. Once again it is toasty & somewhat bready.
F: Full-bodied, medium carbonation, smooth & creamy, yet somewhat crisp.
O: This is really a good Marzen style beer, best one I have tasted so far.
Feb 14, 2021
Specialmick from Connecticut
3.59/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look...tan brown light transparent. Ample carbonation
Smell...almost nonexistent with a little citrus hop character. Hint of bread
Taste...amber bitterness pringly spike of citrus alcohol quickly dissipates into a bitter swirl . Unique spices nutmeg
Feel...i believe i like this quality the most. Freakin Germans now how to carbonate a beer!!!i I might really enjoy this on a thirst quenching beer day. Reminds me a little of an Alt. The Alts were some of the first "Micro" beers i drank back in the 90"s little brew pubs.
Overall...At 5.8% this has a little punch of flavor. I try to be objective because this type of beer is not my favorite but i do believe it to be representative of the style. Reminds me of others i have had. I will try again next fall and try to enjoy a 12 or 6 of these a year.
Feb 09, 2021
3.59/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look...tan brown light transparent. Ample carbonation
Smell...almost nonexistent with a little citrus hop character. Hint of bread
Taste...amber bitterness pringly spike of citrus alcohol quickly dissipates into a bitter swirl . Unique spices nutmeg
Feel...i believe i like this quality the most. Freakin Germans now how to carbonate a beer!!!i I might really enjoy this on a thirst quenching beer day. Reminds me a little of an Alt. The Alts were some of the first "Micro" beers i drank back in the 90"s little brew pubs.
Overall...At 5.8% this has a little punch of flavor. I try to be objective because this type of beer is not my favorite but i do believe it to be representative of the style. Reminds me of others i have had. I will try again next fall and try to enjoy a 12 or 6 of these a year.
Feb 09, 2021
Franziskaner from Missouri
4.01/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Dark copper colored with a fingernail of tan around the rim. The aroma is of biscuity malt. I’m tasting biscuity to bready malt and caramel. The mouth is smooth, crisp, and refreshing.
Dec 28, 2020
4.01/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Dark copper colored with a fingernail of tan around the rim. The aroma is of biscuity malt. I’m tasting biscuity to bready malt and caramel. The mouth is smooth, crisp, and refreshing.
Dec 28, 2020
Seamus_Hanrahan from Massachusetts
4.23/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen on tap.. it was/is feckin' delicious and every year i wait for the one or two kegs i can get my hands on. Nice looking head and not too heavy to quaff multiples. Malty and velvet smooth.
Dec 18, 2020
4.23/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen on tap.. it was/is feckin' delicious and every year i wait for the one or two kegs i can get my hands on. Nice looking head and not too heavy to quaff multiples. Malty and velvet smooth.
Dec 18, 2020
TedHead from Illinois
3.72/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden with a fluffy white head. Smells like malty grains with slight hints of coffee and dates. The taste is slightly sweet date/raising taste followed by a white bread and biscuit flavor. This one really shines because it's probably the easiest drinking oktoberfest beer I've ever had. Overall not bad.
Nov 30, 2020
3.72/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden with a fluffy white head. Smells like malty grains with slight hints of coffee and dates. The taste is slightly sweet date/raising taste followed by a white bread and biscuit flavor. This one really shines because it's probably the easiest drinking oktoberfest beer I've ever had. Overall not bad.
Nov 30, 2020
defunksta from North Dakota
4.35/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
2021
Appearance: Pours a clear, medium bronzed color with a nice slightly off-white head. SRM of 15-16. (4.25)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of German breadiness/toast. Some honeysuckle, lemon, and flowery grass. Even some spruce. Finishes with light bread and Munich malts. Leaves a grassy almost Christmas tree aroma on the finish.
Flavor: The flavor follows with German bread malts on the flavor. Some earthy Munich malts. Even some dusty cocoa. Grass and spruce in the middle. Finishes with an authentic Munich maltiness, earthy honey, and cleansing yeast. A spruce or Christmas tree flavor on teh finish.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Finishes clean.
Side-by-Side:
2020: More toasty, brown bread malts.
2021: More grassy hops and Christmas tree flavors. Cleaner and lighter.
Compared to Boulevard's Bob '47 Marzen 9/29/21: Pours a darker color. More authentic Munich malts. Less toasted bread and American citrus/caramel. More pine but less citrus.
Compared to Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen 10/10/21: Simlar color with a milder and lighter colored head. Milder. Slightly more toasty and crisp.
Overall: A nice drinking festbier. Interesting that I found this one to have a Christmas tree type of flavor here.
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2020
Appearance: Pours a clear, medium-amber color with a nice, slightly off-white head. SRM of 15-16. (4.25)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of German breadiness/toast comes through on the nose. Mild honeysuckle, lemon, and flowery and grassy fields. Some light bread and Munich maltiness. Nice Munich malts of bready toast with hints of grassy flower. (4.25)
Flavor: More authentic German bread malt on the tongue. Some earthy caramel and Munich malts. Even some dusty cocoa. Lemonflower and grassiness in the middle. Some rubber too. Finishes with an authentic Munich maltiness that gives it a near rubber flavor.. Leans bready without being too rich nor sweet. Not too strong. Respectably light and clean. Finishes pretty dry. (4.50)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Strong carbonation. Feels full on the palate. More creamy than crisp, yet clean enough. Leaves a touch of earthy sweet bread on the palate. (4.00)
Compared to Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest 9/7/20: Pours a similar color. More Munich malt, Noble hops, and flower. Less caramel and sweet bread. Slightly lighter and dryer. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Spaten Oktoberfest 10/2/20: Pours a similar color. Stronger aromas/flavors. More bread, earthy, honeysuckle, flower, grass, and German flavors. More everything all around. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Surly Oktoberfest 2020 10/28/20: Pours a darker, more bronze color. Aromas have more authentic German bread, earth. Less honey and flowery zip. Dryer and more bready. More authentic. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Bitburger Festbier 2020 11/3/20: Pours a slightly darker color. Stronger aromas. More crusty. More authentic Munich malts. Less pale bread sweetness.
Compared to Breckenridge Oktoberfest 11/6/20: Pours a similar, but slightly lighter color. Similar aromas of toast, caramel, honey, and flower. More toast & bread and not as sweet here. Flavors also have more bread and yeast with only mild flower. Less caramel and sweetness. A slightly lighter body and dryer. Overall, extremely similar and difficult to differentiate. These are the two best Oktoberfests of 2020. One American & one German.
11/19/20: Similar aromas, but slightly dryer of brown toast, caramel, bread, lemonflower. Slightly less caramel and more authentic German bread. Finishes dryer. Nearly identical.
Winner: Paulaner, but Breckenridge is a close second
Overall: This is probably the best of the festbier style I've had. Nice and authentic German breadiness. A little bit of rubber. Overall, nice and dry with mostly toast. Even provides a dusty cocoa note. Needless to say, this is an accurate and excellent representation of the style. Fantastic hop and authentic German malt flavors while being true to style and not too sweet. It's a good authentic German festbier. If I was at the festival, this is one not to miss. (Final Rating: 4.35)
*Compare to Breckenridge*
Oct 29, 2020
4.35/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
2021
Appearance: Pours a clear, medium bronzed color with a nice slightly off-white head. SRM of 15-16. (4.25)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of German breadiness/toast. Some honeysuckle, lemon, and flowery grass. Even some spruce. Finishes with light bread and Munich malts. Leaves a grassy almost Christmas tree aroma on the finish.
Flavor: The flavor follows with German bread malts on the flavor. Some earthy Munich malts. Even some dusty cocoa. Grass and spruce in the middle. Finishes with an authentic Munich maltiness, earthy honey, and cleansing yeast. A spruce or Christmas tree flavor on teh finish.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Finishes clean.
Side-by-Side:
2020: More toasty, brown bread malts.
2021: More grassy hops and Christmas tree flavors. Cleaner and lighter.
Compared to Boulevard's Bob '47 Marzen 9/29/21: Pours a darker color. More authentic Munich malts. Less toasted bread and American citrus/caramel. More pine but less citrus.
Compared to Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen 10/10/21: Simlar color with a milder and lighter colored head. Milder. Slightly more toasty and crisp.
Overall: A nice drinking festbier. Interesting that I found this one to have a Christmas tree type of flavor here.
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2020
Appearance: Pours a clear, medium-amber color with a nice, slightly off-white head. SRM of 15-16. (4.25)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of German breadiness/toast comes through on the nose. Mild honeysuckle, lemon, and flowery and grassy fields. Some light bread and Munich maltiness. Nice Munich malts of bready toast with hints of grassy flower. (4.25)
Flavor: More authentic German bread malt on the tongue. Some earthy caramel and Munich malts. Even some dusty cocoa. Lemonflower and grassiness in the middle. Some rubber too. Finishes with an authentic Munich maltiness that gives it a near rubber flavor.. Leans bready without being too rich nor sweet. Not too strong. Respectably light and clean. Finishes pretty dry. (4.50)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Strong carbonation. Feels full on the palate. More creamy than crisp, yet clean enough. Leaves a touch of earthy sweet bread on the palate. (4.00)
Compared to Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest 9/7/20: Pours a similar color. More Munich malt, Noble hops, and flower. Less caramel and sweet bread. Slightly lighter and dryer. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Spaten Oktoberfest 10/2/20: Pours a similar color. Stronger aromas/flavors. More bread, earthy, honeysuckle, flower, grass, and German flavors. More everything all around. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Surly Oktoberfest 2020 10/28/20: Pours a darker, more bronze color. Aromas have more authentic German bread, earth. Less honey and flowery zip. Dryer and more bready. More authentic. Winner: Paulaner
Compared to Bitburger Festbier 2020 11/3/20: Pours a slightly darker color. Stronger aromas. More crusty. More authentic Munich malts. Less pale bread sweetness.
Compared to Breckenridge Oktoberfest 11/6/20: Pours a similar, but slightly lighter color. Similar aromas of toast, caramel, honey, and flower. More toast & bread and not as sweet here. Flavors also have more bread and yeast with only mild flower. Less caramel and sweetness. A slightly lighter body and dryer. Overall, extremely similar and difficult to differentiate. These are the two best Oktoberfests of 2020. One American & one German.
11/19/20: Similar aromas, but slightly dryer of brown toast, caramel, bread, lemonflower. Slightly less caramel and more authentic German bread. Finishes dryer. Nearly identical.
Winner: Paulaner, but Breckenridge is a close second
Overall: This is probably the best of the festbier style I've had. Nice and authentic German breadiness. A little bit of rubber. Overall, nice and dry with mostly toast. Even provides a dusty cocoa note. Needless to say, this is an accurate and excellent representation of the style. Fantastic hop and authentic German malt flavors while being true to style and not too sweet. It's a good authentic German festbier. If I was at the festival, this is one not to miss. (Final Rating: 4.35)
*Compare to Breckenridge*
Oct 29, 2020
barnzy78 from Illinois
4.02/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2oz bottle
Enjoy best before 06.21
L: clear copper/caramel colored bier, foamy beige head holds good retention
S: herbal & earthy noble hops, bread crust, toasted grain
T: caramelized grain, toffee, rye bread crust; herbal/earthy/spicy hops add bitterness
F: smooth, more bitter than I remember, very dry finish
O: this was always my favorite, but I think I have a change of heart this year. I am finding the bitterness to linger too long on the dry finish
*6th place out of 48 in my Ultimate Oktoberfest 2020
Oct 16, 2020
4.02/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2oz bottle
Enjoy best before 06.21
L: clear copper/caramel colored bier, foamy beige head holds good retention
S: herbal & earthy noble hops, bread crust, toasted grain
T: caramelized grain, toffee, rye bread crust; herbal/earthy/spicy hops add bitterness
F: smooth, more bitter than I remember, very dry finish
O: this was always my favorite, but I think I have a change of heart this year. I am finding the bitterness to linger too long on the dry finish
*6th place out of 48 in my Ultimate Oktoberfest 2020
Oct 16, 2020
BJB13 from Maryland
3.89/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle poured into a tumbler style pint glass.
Best by: 06/21
Clear and amber with plenty of fast-rising bubbles feeding the one finger cream-white head. The nose opens with big bread malt and eventually allows a small amount of noble hop aroma through. Taste is fairly balanced, malt to hop, semi-sweet bread and toast with spicy and herbal hops. The finish is slightly dry and drawn out. The medium body is frothy with a crisp finish. Another good German Octoberfest.
Oct 14, 2020
3.89/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle poured into a tumbler style pint glass.
Best by: 06/21
Clear and amber with plenty of fast-rising bubbles feeding the one finger cream-white head. The nose opens with big bread malt and eventually allows a small amount of noble hop aroma through. Taste is fairly balanced, malt to hop, semi-sweet bread and toast with spicy and herbal hops. The finish is slightly dry and drawn out. The medium body is frothy with a crisp finish. Another good German Octoberfest.
Oct 14, 2020
Singlefinpin from North Carolina
4.11/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drinking this at one of my favorite tap rooms in Greenville NC, Tapped.
Poured from a tap into a pint glass.
Appears a very clear amber with a nice foamy head that dropped quickly to zero.
Smells lightly crackery, floral, yeasty.
Taste follows the nose, more malt forward, but a great overall balance.
Mouth feel is medium for the style, but, I feel could be a bit more carbonated.
Overall a very nice example of a Octoberfest Bier that I would definitely order again.
Oct 13, 2020
4.11/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drinking this at one of my favorite tap rooms in Greenville NC, Tapped.
Poured from a tap into a pint glass.
Appears a very clear amber with a nice foamy head that dropped quickly to zero.
Smells lightly crackery, floral, yeasty.
Taste follows the nose, more malt forward, but a great overall balance.
Mouth feel is medium for the style, but, I feel could be a bit more carbonated.
Overall a very nice example of a Octoberfest Bier that I would definitely order again.
Oct 13, 2020
Beginner2 from Illinois
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Classic is as classic does.
O-Fest is a joy for many reasons. But the main one is that there is only a two month period to discover, easily, yet more classics that I have not had. Paulaner is the second O-fest this season and may be the best so far.
Poured into a stange, Paulaner's O-fest Looks like a champ; crystal clear, rusty amber with a generous head. Smells start mostly as bready malt, but only slightly better than the style's average. Tastes are balanced better than the average; but the yeast seems to mature in mid-palate from malty/bready to dark fruity. There are barely enough hops to keep any sweetness at bay. This O-Fest sits satisfyingly in my mouth, bubbly yet comforting.
From the makers of one of the greatest dopplebocks, Paulaner deserves very good OA Hugs for being true Bavaria's traditions. They seem rigid after the craft revolution of this Century; but if you like subtle, most beers.... those 16th Century traditions still produce some of the world's great beers. Prost !
9/23/21 had side-by-side with the O-fest of its distribution client @ Hacker-Schorr. I've edited both reviews and am satisfied and, every year hopefully, will keep count @ UnTappd.
Oct 12, 2020
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Classic is as classic does.
O-Fest is a joy for many reasons. But the main one is that there is only a two month period to discover, easily, yet more classics that I have not had. Paulaner is the second O-fest this season and may be the best so far.
Poured into a stange, Paulaner's O-fest Looks like a champ; crystal clear, rusty amber with a generous head. Smells start mostly as bready malt, but only slightly better than the style's average. Tastes are balanced better than the average; but the yeast seems to mature in mid-palate from malty/bready to dark fruity. There are barely enough hops to keep any sweetness at bay. This O-Fest sits satisfyingly in my mouth, bubbly yet comforting.
From the makers of one of the greatest dopplebocks, Paulaner deserves very good OA Hugs for being true Bavaria's traditions. They seem rigid after the craft revolution of this Century; but if you like subtle, most beers.... those 16th Century traditions still produce some of the world's great beers. Prost !
9/23/21 had side-by-side with the O-fest of its distribution client @ Hacker-Schorr. I've edited both reviews and am satisfied and, every year hopefully, will keep count @ UnTappd.
Oct 12, 2020
alexrichman from Oregon
4.17/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
L - Poured with 1 finger of head, nice light brown color. Brilliantly clear, some lacing present throughout the session. Very nice.
S - A little subdued, some light yeast and hop aroma. Hope come across as floral and a bit grassy on the nose. A bit of cracker on the back end.
T - To me this is about as perfect as you can get for the style. A beautiful blend of bold and subtle flavors from the malt, hops, and yeast.
F - A bit thin, quite effervescent, highly drinkable.
O - A true classic and a brilliant example of the style. One of my absolute favorites during this time of year when the weather is getting colder and the leaves are changing color.
Oct 10, 2020
4.17/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
L - Poured with 1 finger of head, nice light brown color. Brilliantly clear, some lacing present throughout the session. Very nice.
S - A little subdued, some light yeast and hop aroma. Hope come across as floral and a bit grassy on the nose. A bit of cracker on the back end.
T - To me this is about as perfect as you can get for the style. A beautiful blend of bold and subtle flavors from the malt, hops, and yeast.
F - A bit thin, quite effervescent, highly drinkable.
O - A true classic and a brilliant example of the style. One of my absolute favorites during this time of year when the weather is getting colder and the leaves are changing color.
Oct 10, 2020
laquebrada from California
3.44/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
From 33 cl bottle, nice and clear orange color, malty melanoiden aroma, flavor is sweet up front, some smoke, balanced finish, not at all cloying. Medium viscosity, dry finish. A pretty good beer, but definitely not the best sample.
Oct 07, 2020
3.44/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
From 33 cl bottle, nice and clear orange color, malty melanoiden aroma, flavor is sweet up front, some smoke, balanced finish, not at all cloying. Medium viscosity, dry finish. A pretty good beer, but definitely not the best sample.
Oct 07, 2020
BubbleBobble from New York
3.83/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear amber, quarter inch off-white head, lots of visible carbonation. Nose is balanced between light toffee, slightly sweet malts and earthy, spicy hops. Lights sweetness on the palate, toasted malts, brown bread; mild earthy bitterness from hops; overall, a bit more delicate in terms of flavor than other Märzen (Ayinger, even Hacker). Mouthfeel is a bit crisper as well with some sharp carbonation. Solid, but less robust than others.
Oct 04, 2020
3.83/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear amber, quarter inch off-white head, lots of visible carbonation. Nose is balanced between light toffee, slightly sweet malts and earthy, spicy hops. Lights sweetness on the palate, toasted malts, brown bread; mild earthy bitterness from hops; overall, a bit more delicate in terms of flavor than other Märzen (Ayinger, even Hacker). Mouthfeel is a bit crisper as well with some sharp carbonation. Solid, but less robust than others.
Oct 04, 2020
Oktoberfest Märzen from Paulaner Brauerei
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
2869 ratings
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