O'Fest (2013-2019)
Devils Backbone Brewing Company

 

not a top tier marzen by any stretch, but a good beginners step into this style. Decent, but not in class with top tiers of this style.

Thought it was done for the season- but NO! I found some in Walmart in November, even though everywhere else stopped carrying it. I like this beer. I’m not a huge fan of over-hoppyness and enjoy a more malty, bready beer. This one delivers for me. It’s quite crisp but actually has some body to it. A little burnt carmel on the finish that lingers pleasantly. The smell is clean and comforting, like fresh bread being made. 5.9% ABV makes it something that can relax you quickly without making you feel totally full. I wish this was available year-round but I know that I will look forward to it every October now. This brewery seems to have the perfect lager pegged. If you like full flavor lagers and haven’t had this yet- get some. You will not be disappointed.

NOT retired. Purchased August 2021 in Lexington VA. Small white head that disappears quickly. Clear amber color reminiscent of a lager. Carbonation is characteristic of a marzen. Bready, malty upfront. Well balanced. Not a bad example.

Pours light orange. Slightly hazy. No aroma. Very bland. Doesn't have that nice malty oktoberfest flavor that I love so much. It really takes the fest out of oktoberfest.

This one pours a light clear golden color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like spicy hops, toasty bread, crust, and grassy hops.

This is really solid stuff. The hop character has just the right amount of spice and bitterness, and that dark toasty breadiness dominates otherwise. This brewery is usually pretty solid at lagers in general, so I'm not surprised that I like this.

This is a really enjoyable take on the style.

When I saw this in the beer aisle of my local supermarket I fell in love with it. But that was mostly because it didn't say "we're about to shove hops down your throat" anywhere on the labeling.

Tastes like something you might very well guzzle down in one of the frat-bro tents in Munich in late September. Is that a good thing? I don't know, but it's not the worst thing.

12oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- pours clear and golden in color with a one-finger creamy white head that has good retention

S- toasted bread crusts dominate, followed by caramel, toasted grains, dried leaves and a faint hint of hops

T- the bread crust flavors follow the nose, followed by some malty sweet notes of caramel, toffee and raisin. The finish gives a hint of floral hops with more toasted bread notes on the linger

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and a crisp finish

O- liquid bread, solid Okto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pour had a 1/3-1/2 inch head of off-white to white foam head with a stunningly clear, copper-red coloration. Scent is a bit sweet, but not in a boozy way. Notes of some toasty maltiness and caramel is present, along with something that is just a bit sharp on the nose. Taste is smooth, medium bodied, and a bit on the sweet side with just a touch of bitterness on the backend. Not as crisp as others in the style, but still enjoyable and one I will try again!

 

 

Lovely color and aroma builds great anticipation that is completely ruined by the bland, boring taste and lack of mouthfeel. I suspect there is a lot of corn in this grain bill. Very light in body, which is inappropriate for a marzen. There should be malty flavors abounding. Will not buy again.