Smogtoberfest
Smog City Brewing Co.

 

Packaged on 9/16/25 - enjoyed on 10/5/25 - poured from a pint can into my Moonlight willibecher.

Clear ochre to harvest gold gradient supporting a fat off white cap, receding to a popped collar and lasting surface slick; sandy lacing; adequate retention.

Sweet, malty aroma with hints of toasted walnuts.

Toffee, caramel, bread dough, and toast on the palate - mild bitterness with earthy hops and some gentle lager yeast notes. Faint notes of black pepper and burnt sugar. A bit nuttier as it warms. Medium-dry finish.

Creamy, smooth, medium to medium-light body. Adequate carbonation.

Imperfect, but tasty domestic marzen.

1 month since canned. Into a mug. Nice amber color, nice head. Minimal lacing. My sense of smell is horrible but I pick up some malty goodness so they get the benefit of the doubt on that score. Mild carbonation. Some subdued but yet nice malt and caramel. No real bitterness. Nice enough to buy again but not stellar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*4-22-2023) still a great beer refreshing malty nice German October fest style

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: Marzen / Octoberfest
Glass: Gordon Biersch .5L Stein
Price: $3.24
From: Trader Joe’s in College Area (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: Dec. 3, 2020
Consumed: Dec. 25, 2020
Misc.: Canned on Sept. 15, 2020

Grabbed this on a recent trip to Trader Joe’s. I believe this was the first time I saw it in stores. I always look forward to having this style. Back of the can read “Don your finest and pull out your steins, it's Smogtoberfest time! This festival in a can is our highly drinkable take on the quintessential Oktoberfest style lager. With ample malt character and clean balanced hops, pop open a Smogtoberfest and let the celebrations begin. Prost!”

Poured a medium-to-deep amber clear color with six fingers of rocky white head. Plenty of bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Almost perfect foamy lacing. Perfect retention. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled caramel, brown bread, biscuit, toffee, nuts, Wheat Thins, hay and some corn cereal. A little sweeter than what I thought it would be. Not as good out of the can with the addition of some dark fruit. (Smell - 4.00)

Taste followed the nose, maybe not quite as good. Wasn’t getting that sweetness that I got in the nose. In order got toasted nuts, biscuit, brown bread, caramel, Wheat Thins, hay, corn cereal, honey, toffee and bitter earthy malt. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, toasty bitter finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Was back and forth on a few categories, but thought it was outstanding overall. (Overall - 4.00)

4.07 | 91 | A-

Amber color, produces some foam, looks like a "Maerzen". The first sip is ok but leaves a somewhat dry taste in my mouth.
Reminds me somewhat of an IPA ...
It's not a beer I want to drink again. Picked it up at Trader Joe's for 13.99. Too expensive for what you get.
My favorite Oktoberfest from the American Craft breweries is still "Dogtoberfest" from the Flying Dog brewery.

 

 

Handsome dark amber brew with plenty of foam in the Leute Bokbier glass. Beery aroma with herbal and hay notes. This is a big mouthful of flavor. Maybe more than you bargain for in a Märzen. Some malty sweetness but not sugary. Malt and some roasted grain flavors. Well balanced as the bitterish finish meets the fading sweet note. There is a welcome dash of green hop flavor.

The robust flavor grows on you, and it has a modest bitter aftertaste. Quite easy to drink and more interesting than some of the other current Oktoberfest models. From the 16 oz can purchased at Bine Y Vine.

Wow. Damn BA’s... This one brings it like Miranda Kerr walking down the catwalk. From head to toe, I am feeling this one like Candice Swanepoel in a onesie. Hot damn, this one is more on fire than Pompei and Nero fiddled.

I suggest that you get it and you get it good!