Maerzen Oktoberfest
Steffans Aldergrove Brewery

The only place I've ever encountered SA beers is at Bottleworks in Seattle. It's a choice account for this obscure brewery operating on a 10-gallon homebrew system. And Bottleworks actually carries up to four different varieties of Aldergrove beers, available in six-packs at exorbitant prices. I paid $5 for two 12-oz. bottles.

The good news is that this Oktoberfest is a very fine lager. It sports a stellar aroma of sugar on toast and a simple, effective balance of bread crust and spiced bittering. All other properties were appropriate such as the abundant carbonation and the copper-amber color - though the body could have shown greater clarity. Exceeded my expectations.

http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t254/Erdinger2003/?action=view&current=proninjalager.jpg

Pours a big thick head that retains fairly well. Color is a slightly hazy golden color. The smell is slightly sweet and bready, sweet bread. Taste is slightly hopped with a great bready sweetness that is almost creamy. Very soft mouthfeel, very pillowy. I would drink this a lot if were in my area. Great stuff.