Freestyle #44
Oxbow Brewing Company

i think i was expecting this to be a wild lager given most of the rest of the beers these guys make, but i was both surprised and impressed by a delightful and relatively traditional strong lager here, layered with dry nutty malt, a flavorful lager yeast strain, and a sturdy body. it has a sudsy off white head on top of a fairly clear deep honey colored base, lots of bubbles visible. it smells and tastes authentically german to me, with the lager yeast robust in aroma and flavor, and the malts being earthy and full, but not overly complex, a little dusty, a little cooked tasting, not ever sweet, round and hearty though, some minerals, hay and straw notes, even chestnut, i know we are pushing marzen season, but this one is drinking really nicely right now. i really didnt know oxbow did this sort of thing, i believe its the first like it that i have had from them, but like all their beer, its hard not to be impressed with the overall quality. really enjoyable beer, especially to break up a day filled with hazy hoppy beers, a wonderful change of pace!

Look: Gold amber with a small white head.

Smell: Grass, spring flowers.

Taste: Malt and flowers are the big taste notes, ending with hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Thin and carbonated, like a soda.

Overall: A refreshing taste of spring.

12 oz on tap poured into a snifter.

A: Burnished gold body with great clarity. Head was a tiny soapy thing.

S: Lots of rich breads and doughniness. Light bits of grain, and a slight hint of booze.

T: Deep doughy and slightly sweet breads and a smooth malty and grainy finish.

M: Nice and smooth medium carbonation with a light body leaning toward medium. Just when you think it was going to get too heavy it backed off.

O: A great beer that you do not see brewed that often. Out of the very few I have had this one is quite good.

12 oz. on draft at Hella Good. In stemware.

Appearance: Mostly clear dark straw. Finger-width white head that sticks around a bit.

Aroma: Grass, malt, cereals.

Taste: Grassy and slightly herbaceous lager with solid malt backbone. Some hop. Grains, bread, crackers.

Mouthfeel: Drinkable but sturdy.

Overall: Very nice bock. A pleasant spring lager. Good pair for tacos.