St. Georgenbräu Buttenheimer Hopfenzupfer
St. Georgenbräu

scored this in a reasonably priced can, not super fresh, and one of those beers thats imported in a tank and packaged domestically, and i dont know that i love that, even if it saves on shipping and yields more affordable beer from elsewhere, the freshness almost has always been an issue in my experience, and with a hoppier one like this, its more apparent. i was surprised by the color of this, maybe i didnt know it was supposed to be a marzen when i poured it, but its deep rusty orange, very autumnal looking, didnt expect it to be so malty, short lived rising and then falling white head, a little under carbonated overall for my preference. the nose is papery and oxidized, a little sweet and concentrated on the malt, very obviously german and traditional, bready and earthen and distinctive, but not at its best here, hops have some herbal bitterness, seem tired, and robust for a marzen even still, as well lagered as expected, that is the strength of this in its current form, pretty much what i smell is what i taste too, this is not fresh, but the grain body and depth is there still, nutty, hints of almond, honey, and pie crust to it, definitely fall vibes, no real sweet actually, even as it warms. the hops do have some bitterness, but their teeth are dulled, and this seems bold for being german but balanced to my palate, grassy and noble, slight citrus there too i suppose, and i can see what this would be like at peak pretty easily. for now it feels like fall and even if it isnt great, its sort of already nostalgic, and its an enjoyable one to share. a shame this wasnt handled differently or whatever, it seems unique in a style space that doesnt generally permit a ton of innovation, the hops take it to a new place. hope to revisit this a bit closer to the source one day...

Can from John’s poured into stein. Auto buy! Great head for a couple minutes. A little bit of an offputting flavor unfortunately.

 

 

 

My marzen model comes more from Munich. Those are softer and slightly maltier than St Georgen Buttenheimer which is northern Bavaria. But Buttenheimer makes a good marzen interpretation... albeit average in the mouth, almost thin with OK bubbles.

I'm as much interested in Bavarian culture as I am their beer. Having been through the recent Advent Calendar (heavy Bavarian slant) and comparing it to three previous intervals, I'm amazed at how little Bavarian brewing culture changes compared to the U.S. (which seems to change every season twice as much as the previous one.) The first sign from St. Georgenbrau was that there was to me no obvious English button. So from their website, all I get are photos of their beer, their quaint town and biergarten. Please tell me more so I can give Buttenheimer Bavaria more Overall Hugs.

16oz can (filled in the U.S. from a tank container ship). No dating information found.
Clear, deep gold colored body. One finger of white head. Leaves partial rings of lacing.
Aroma of toasted bready malts and floral hops.
Taste is sweet bready malts and earthy hops, with a slight bite. Has a caramel note.
Medium mouth feel. Very good carbonation.
Overly sweet but very quaffable. The bite lingers once the sweetness fades away.

 

Had on tap. Clear golden body with a pinky finger of white foam. Cereal malt, toasty grains, german yeast and earthy hops. Tastes has some cracker to the cereal malts, otherwise a clone of the nose. Feels lighter and higher in carbonation, but has decent malt chew in a medium body. Certainly not a traditional take on the style but solid

 

 

Pours a clear golden color with a nice white head and nice lacing.

Sweet toasted maltiness, a nice toffee/caramel note and light hops with a mild bitter finish. Nice.

way too fruity of a flavor profile going on. your palet adjusts after 4-5 sips, but it’s still too overwhelming. No subtlety of balance that german lagers usually carry.

No can date
Pours a fizzy 1/2 finger head with med retention, little lacing, clear deep toasted orange color

Nose is different but good, cereal grain with malt depth probably decoction, very herbal leafy, little fruity, hint of caramelization

Taste sweet cereal grain and little caramel, toasted, fair herbal leafy hops again very noble, little fruity, light bitterness, light malt depth and complexity, drier finish, bit more bitterness

Mouth is med bod, soft lager, med frothy carb

Overall different but good

is what it says, and pretty good at it, a spicy lager that drinks well, just not totally in my style. If this is a Marzen Oktoberfest as stated, expect something lighter, clearer And with thst slight spicy finish.

 

No canned on date. Poured into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint.

A: Brilliant gold with 1/2-finger off-white foamy head with short retention but thick stripes of lacing.

S: Toasted and lightly sweet, grainy pils malt aroma with lighter floral hop nose

T: Flavor is delicious multifaceted maltiness with toastiness leading and lighter melanoiden-rich pale pils maltiness with light sweetness which is met with moderately bitter hop component which is floral and lightly herbal in character. Clean without esters with lightly minerally aftertaste.

M: Light-medium body with lowish carbonation leaves a lightly creamy soft mouthfeel that departs in a dry finish.

O: Wow, impressive light lager with decocted malt quality to leave a big malt statement and light kiss of pils sweetness to partner with the restrained but characterful hopping. Great German lager.

 

Impressive two-finger bar poured head. Settles slowly forming a dense dome in the center. The fine bubbles never dissipate completely throughout the tasting. Excellent ring lace. Light amber color.

Mild caramelized malt upfront. There's also a negative smell brewery floor oxidized old beer. Not entirely unattractive but definitely distracting.

The flavor has a light berry sweetness initially. Moderate body with a higher carbonation. The finish brings a significant bitter presence to the Märzen style. Oddly, the aftertaste reverts to the grainy malt.