Nasal Cavity
Marz Community Brewing

 

500 ml bottle, Batch #273, 5.5% ABV. Served in a Spiegelau stout glass, the beer pours a hazy golden color with about an inch white head that stuck around for a while. There's also a decent amount of lacing. The brew smells like wasabi root, roasted malt, bready/grainy malt, and a bit of vanilla. Taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, with bready/grainy malt, wasabi root, roasted malt, and a bit of cream and vanilla flavors. If you're expecting spicy wasabi, that's not what this brew is about. The wasabi flavor/aroma is noticable, but subtle. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and easy to drink with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this brew more and more the longer I drank it. I still haven't been wowed by any of the "golden/blonde stouts" I've tried, but I'd drink this one again. $10.99 a bottle.

Interesting, creative concoction.
Never seen a blonde stout until now. Refreshing attack also is different. Wasabi lingers, maybe coats the tongue too much.
But, this is winter in Chicago and cleaning the nasal passage is a good thing.
Consider this medicine that makes you feel good.
I like Marz (although their price point rarely makes for a good value.... Bridge-porter being the exception, a great beer and good value.)
While Nasal Cavity is more different than it is good, I'm glad I Had the experience.
But if they ever brew this again, there is a very high probability I won't buy it.

 

 

750 ml bottle, handwritten Batch #163 in silver sharpie. Acquired the big bottle from the local bottle shop for $17.99 plus tax, so it wasn't exactly cheap. "Golden milk stout brewed with wasabi root and vanilla bean". Bottle lists a 5.50% abv.

Poured into a Duvel tulip snifter.

A - Pours a pale yellow body, with hues of light green thrown in there. Appears aptly carbonated with one finger of thin frothy white head that stays a while and leaves thin wispy bubbly lacing behind. Looks alright, a bit of a thin / light appearance, especially for a self-proclaimed "golden milk stout" but it looks alright.

S - A light, grainy, wheaty, malty, yeast-forward aroma. Aromas of lager yeast & bready pilsen sort of malt bill are most prominent; not sweet, milky, or creamy. No overt notes of vanilla, chocolate, cacao, lactose, or wasabi spice. Smells more like what I imagine a cream ale would smell like than a "golden milk stout".

T - Taste follows the nose: crisp, wheaty, grainy, malty. Notes of crisp lager yeast / cream. Vanilla bean is not immediately noticeable or detectable at all really; it builds more as I drink the beer. No overt notes of wasabi or herbal / horseradish type spice. I wouldn't know this had wasabi or vanilla bean in it without being told. Again, no overt notes of lactose, vanilla, cacao, sugar, or cream. Grainy; again, it tastes more like how I imagine a cream ale would taste rather than a "golden milk stout". Not bad per se, but failed to live up to my expectations for damn sure.

M - Feel is smooth, crisp, creamy. Medium-light bodied and fairly easy-drinking. Decent carbonation levels.

Overall, a painfully below average representation of the "golden milk stout". Very disappointing stuff, especially for the ridiculously high price point. Would like to see these specialty Marz beers put into 12 oz. bottles, so I don't have to shell out a lot of money to try these in the future. Either way, very disappointing, but I look forward to what's next.

Marz Community Brewing Nasal Cavity -----3/5.

 

 

Described as a Golden Stout with Vanilla and Wasabi. Looks just like an IPA or golden ale with a white head. But tastes like a smooth creamy stout. Vanilla adds to the sense of sweetness, just a hint of wasabi, not overpowering at all. Interesting beer.