Icon Series: Marzen
Saint Arnold Brewing Company

 

 

Pours a clear amber color with a thick foamy head. Head retention and lacing are both very good. Very floral aroma. There is small amount of clove, biscuity malts, maybe some toffee. Banana?? Maybe I haven't had a marzen in a while, but the taste doesn't exactly match for me. Biscuity malts very strong on the taste. Slight clove. Mild caramel and toffee at the end. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. This is a decent beer worth trying.

 

Finger of off white head that fades quickly.
Nose and palate: Nice caramel, toffee, lightly toasted malts. Light biscuit malt.
Seems to be a touch over carbonated.

 

A: Pours a slight brassy/yellow/orange color. Perfectly clear, with a two finger white head that forms. The foam fades to a ring, but nice lace is left.
S: A big clean malty flavor. Baked bread, light yeast. More biscuity with a touch of caramel. Spicy, earthy hops in the finish but very light. Everything about this is subtle, but really enjoyable.
T: Like the nose malty up front. Baked bread, biscuit, lightly sweet caramel but not over done in that regard. With a touch of spicy, earthy, and grassy hops in the finish. Very subtle and balanced. I would like a bit more umph, which would put it in the Sierra Nevada category. Though as is, still really enjoyable.
M/O: A light to medium body. Great carbonation with an effervescent bit. Super clean, semi dry, and really refreshing. The subtle balance, and clean character make this something I want to keep coming back ti again and again. I see many six pack purchases in the near future.

A really well made and clean Marzen. This is much better than their season Oktoberfest as that is much to sweet and heavy (yes, basically an American interpretation of the ill defined Scottish Ale). This is very much to style and another very good to great Icon release. Something I have come to expect with this series.