Spark - Bierstadt Lager Collab
Green Bench Brewing Co.

 

 

A lovely copper beer with a plush white head that covers the wide mug I am using, with a little bit of lacing. There might be a very light haze, but it also may be the dimpled glass. Nose is much more smoke than Märzen ( or Festbier, which I think it was listed as at the bar), which works for me since I actually want to get some smoke when the beer label indicated it. That said, it's a bit dominating if I come at it from a more subjective / style-in-mind angle. I'd probably go a notch higher in nose for regular old smoked beer.

I have a somewhat similar assessment for the taste, though the Märzen malt character does come through better than it did in the nose. It seems the smoke may act to dry out the beer a bit more than I'd like, though. Combined with a thinner feel, the combined taste and feel work to check my ratings. Overall, though, this beer is pretty spot on for me for a smoked beer that happens to be a Oktoberfest.

On tap, pours a clear deep copper. Smell features bready malts with a distinct but still light smokiness. Taste follows. Feel is more full than most beers at this ABV. Really nice.