Hammerschmidt
Endo Brewing Company

a well made vienna lager serving the oktoberfest function admirably in here. i like this because its a little lighter and drier than a lot of them are. frankly, this is a style i dont generally love in a session context, i always find them to be too sweet to go down all day, but this one is lagered extensively it seems, allowed to dry out more than is common, and i think the result is a much more drinkable and even refreshing take on the style. more copper than red, brassy and shiny and very clear in the glass. smells like honey on fresh baked bread with a little german lager yeast to it. some definite crackery and breadiness to the grain, not overly rich, but still substantial. the flavor is well balanced, a little bittering hop at the end, a drying out from the yeast, and a classic european flavor to it all, with just a little of the caramel sweetness hanging around. i love all the carbonation pushing this one, it makes it quite drinkable and seasonally festive. i think its a nice stand in for a classic marzen this time of year, well done!