Fest Bier
Summit Brewing Company

Hey, a fest bier in April. What the heck, but I think it would throw off at least one of my buddies.
This certainly looks and smells like I would think this style would. Very attractive and moving towards the darker side of color with more amber orange/brown tints. But brilliantly clear and when poured aggressively a nice thick tan head that laces the heck out of my glass.
A reaally nice toasted flavor blending with the richness of the malt. Appropriate drying on the finish and a more than balancing bitterness leans on the end and cleans out the richness. There is a unique flavor that must be the hops as they are not the traditional hops used, being saphir and sladek. It took be a bit to orient to them, but I'm coming around.
Carbonated well and softly and leaving a smooth feel.
For one of my least favorite styles this one is coming around on me, even out of season. Fits actually with cooler spring weather too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottle > Pint Glass

A - Pours a nice gold color with a finger of foamy white head, thick lacing.
S - Excellent aroma toasted grains, earthy and deep maltiness, a light floral hop scent, definitely some pilsner malt in here too.
T - Taste is spot on with the style, but take it to a new dimension. You definitely get your typical marzen traits, pilsner and bready malt, a little sweetness, but in this there's also this light toasted grain and nutty quality that is mild but pleasant and works perfectly with it.
M - A little on the light side of carbonation, but medium and balanced.
O - Outstanding Oktoberfest, and probably the best one I had. Summit needs to put this into seasonal rotation.

12oz bottle. Poured out a clear, burgundy color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled floral with sweet caramel and toffee. Sweet caramel with roasted malt notes and a bitter piney finish.

12 oz. bottle poured into a Surlyfest mug. It's a little past its prime, but has been refrigerated since purchase with the goal of tasting it next to Summit's standard Oktoberfest.

Clear dark golden color with a thick, foamy off-white head. Good retention and excellent lacing around the edges of the mug.

The rich Munich hop aroma is very evident with a toasted, almost nutty flavor. Almost honey-like and grainy aroma hints at an interesting use of Pilsner malts (confirmed by a quick visit to Summit's website). Floral and slightly fruity hoppiness.

The flavor is primarily malt-forward, and the best way to describe it is of honey-topped, toasted biscuit. Complex hops arrangement of citrus (tangerine?), floral, and particularly spicy flavors. No yeast flavors are noticeable, as well as no astringency or alcohol flavors.

Light-medium body and good levels of carbonation. Dry, balanced finish.

Overall, this is an excellent and mostly-accurate take on an Oktoberfest. A couple little weird twists that make it stand out. Phenomenally well-balanced. It blows away the standard Summit Oktoberfest, which is too bad since it will likely never be brewed again.