Oktoberfest
Appleton Beer Factory

 

Oktoberfest Märzen | Appleton Beer Factory
Style: Oktoberfest / Märzen
ABV: 5.5%

Appearance (4.25): Pours darker than most examples of the style, approximately SRM 16. Excellent head formation with strong retention. Noticeable lacing was present even before the first sip, suggesting good protein structure and carbonation balance.

Aroma (3.5): Light malt character up front with subtle hop and yeast notes. Noble hop character—possibly Hallertau or similar. No off-aromas detected. A mild caramel note develops as it sits in the glass.

Taste (3.25): Not a hop-forward style by definition, yet noble hops present first on the palate. Not bitter, but clearly defined. Malt character follows—Munich malt and light caramel—without the expected sweetness. Malt expression leans more grainy than rich, which is atypical for the style. Balance feels shifted, with hops and base malt preceding caramel sweetness.

Mouthfeel (3.25): Medium-bodied but slightly sharp. Mild bitterness and a leaner mouthfeel than expected for an Oktoberfest Märzen, especially given the darker color and strong head retention. Lacks some of the smooth, malty fullness typical of the style.

Overall (3.5): A technically sound beer that presents well, but flavor balance diverges slightly from classic Oktoberfest expectations. Caramel sweetness arrives late—after hop, malt, and yeast—and lingers briefly. Enjoyable and well-executed, though not fully expressing the traditional Märzen profile.

— LoftusTheBeerEngineer

 

Pours out of the can as a rusty brown with about an inch of head. Small amount of lace. Smells malty and bready with a hint of carmel and the taste followed, but felt thin in terms of mouthfeel. Not very much carbonation but enough for the style.