Oktoberfest
Summit Brewing Company

 

Summit Oktoberfest Märzen, 6.5% ABV. Pours clear copper, with a three-finger off-white head that left lots of lacing. Nose is bready malt, taste follows, slightly sweet, moderately bitter. Decent mouthfeel, overall very good.

 

I actually found this to be a really good marzen, especially in the way it balanced the sweetness and bitterness. Good body and good colors and aromas too.

 

16 oz can enjoy by date 1/13/24 into a dimple mug.
L: Pours clear rich glowing amber with a 1/2" rocky & creamy off white head that has good retention, mild carbo, good lacing with rhythmic banding and light sheeting.
S: Caramelized candied malts, a hint of toasted grains, gently earthy, mostly malty.
T: Lightly sweet caramelized malts, snappy hops, a bit earthy, light citrus zest, a suggestion of autumn leaves, a light metallic taste, has a slightly zesty linger.
F: Gently crisp, smooth med-bodied with a slick middle and a med-length lightly drying finish.
O: Very fresh tasting and almost creamy. Quite easy drinking and smooth and has an autumn halo about it. Quite nice, respectably balanced. It is very good in its style.

 

This is a 12oz. bottle poured into my Summit Brewing Co. pint glass. This beer is a clear medium amber with light carbonation. The head of foam is a pleasant surprise, a light tan, one finger thick cap that slowly receded to a thin layer, leaving a thick ring of lacing behind. With the low carbonation I did not expect the longevity of the head. Nice job!
The aroma is a nice sweet malty one. Not very noticeable from a distance but very pleasant before the sip.
The taste is slightly bitter in the beginning and the end with a little sweetness in the middle.
The feel is light with a slight alcohol bite at the end of the taste.
This is an OK marzen, easy to sip a couple.

 

 

Pours just lighter than amber and clear. Limited head but good lacing.

Aromas of bready malty grain, yeast, and a touch of grassy/earthy hops.

Similar flavors, with some fruity and spicy touches in midstream to go with the expected toasty bready malts and hop balance. Some style-defying booze warmth at the finish.

The brew is rather dry and abrasive for the style, owing certainly, at least in part, to the higher than usual ABV.

Not a bad brew, but too boozy and abrasive for the style.

 

Look: Burnt orange and completely clear. One finger of thick white head with excellent retention.

Smell: Bready malt balanced by fruity, bright hops. Mild orange peel note.

Taste: Mild malt that’s quickly overcome by floral hop bitterness. Lingering bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Full, smooth body with high carbonation.

Overall: A little too much lingering bitterness on the tongue, but still nice.

I tried this at Smith & Wollenski's in downtown Minneapolis whilst there for a trade show. The beer poured a clear amber and had thin white head that did not leave much lacing. The scent had malt and grain notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with sweet malt presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a decent beer.

 

Pours deep gold to amber with plenty of foam that leaves laces while slowly settling to a collar. Delightful, delicate aroma of caramel malts and hop spice. Not as full bodied as expected. Malt and hops are very nicely balanced. A very good Oktoberfest.

 

 

Appearance: Pours a deep, but bright, auburn orange color. Like a dried orange or apricot color. A strong off-white head. SRM of 17. (4.00)

Aroma: Fairly light aromas. Mostly orange citrus, cream, toffee, and bread malts. Alcohol is detectable. Light toasted bread crust with caramel spice behind that. (3.75)

Flavor: Some chewy & resinous orange citrus with strong breadiness on the flavor. At the same time there is a strong, creamy, fresh baked bread and toffee sweetness. Little caramel and cinnamon. Some monkey bread. Finishes slightly sweet. (3.50)

Feel: Heavier bodied and creamy on the tongue. Medium carbonated, smooth, and creamy. Alcohol is detectable here. (3.75)

Compared to Mankato Brewery's Oktoberfest Festbier (2020) 9/13/20: Pours a similar color with a stronger head. More orange and alcohol aromas. Less toasty bread and spice. Stronger carbonation and candied fruit bitterness.

Compared to Sierra Nevada's Oktoberfest 2020 9/24/20: Pours a darker and more amber color with a larger head. More orange, cream, brown sugar, bread. Less pine for sure. More bread and spice all around.

Compared to Sierra Nevada's Oktoberfest 2021: Pours a lighter color. Milder aromas. More toast. Less pine for sure. More alcohol. Winner: Sierra Nevada.

Compared to 3 Sheeps, Sam Adams, Great Lakes Oktoberfest 9/5/2022: Pours lighter, milder aromas. More cloying sweet malt and alcohol. Less toasty Oktoberfest flavors.

Overall: Not the best Marzen. Nice chewy and creamy orange citrus with toffee flavors. Showcases the fruit flavors, more than the German malt flavors, so definitely is Americanized. Not true to the German festbier style. Some orange and strong toffee here. Sweet and cloying mostly though. (Final Rating: 3.56)
*Compare to Odell or Founders*

Like many other uninspired oktoberfest beers by popular breweries, this brew comes across too sweet, cornsyrupy, and leaves an unpleasant bitterness behind. Flavor of teriyaki really comes through.