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Clawhammer
Highland Brewing


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Highland Brewing
- North Carolina, United States
- Style:
- Märzen
Ranked #282 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #25,897 - Avg:
- 3.64 | pDev: 12.36%
- Reviews:
- 97
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 15, 2022
- Added:
- Sep 30, 2008
- Wants:
- 15
- Gots:
- 60
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good


Notes:
Bavarian-inspired. Asheville-made. This Märzen lager is smooth and well-rounded with toasty malt character.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by md3kcn from North Carolina
4/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.75
4/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.75
Purchased as a single 12oz bottle from Ingles for $1.99. Poured into a proper mug.
L - Pours a bold & clear copper, with a two-finger bright white head. Head retains well, and laces nicely.
S - Freshly-baked toasted brown bread. A bit of toffee.
T - Same as the nose, with the addition of a bit of earthy spice. Well-balanced.
F - Medium-bodied, with plenty of carbonation. Refreshing, super drinkable, and crisp.
O - An on-the-nose representation of an American take of a Märzen. Does the job. Worth a try, but not exactly worth the price of the six-packs.
Sep 16, 2022L - Pours a bold & clear copper, with a two-finger bright white head. Head retains well, and laces nicely.
S - Freshly-baked toasted brown bread. A bit of toffee.
T - Same as the nose, with the addition of a bit of earthy spice. Well-balanced.
F - Medium-bodied, with plenty of carbonation. Refreshing, super drinkable, and crisp.
O - An on-the-nose representation of an American take of a Märzen. Does the job. Worth a try, but not exactly worth the price of the six-packs.
Reviewed by jeffdr123 from Florida
3.88/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.88/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the Universal Joint in Clayton
This might be one of the prettiest beers ever. A cross between honey and a new penny. Plenty of malt but enough astringent taste to keep it interesting. A good beer to have on hand for friends who don't usually drink craft beer
Sep 26, 2021This might be one of the prettiest beers ever. A cross between honey and a new penny. Plenty of malt but enough astringent taste to keep it interesting. A good beer to have on hand for friends who don't usually drink craft beer
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked up a sixer from the Fresh Market in Hendersonville 8-13-21 for $8.49. Filled 7-8-21; consumed the first bottle 8-22-21.
Beer poured a deep copper with a beautiful white head that has some very good hang time.
Nose has hints of toast and white bread.
Tasted is a classic toasted malt base leading to a mixed grain bread base. Finishes well balanced with use of Nobel hops.
Mouthfeel has a very nice lager creaminess, is light to medium bodied.
Overall glad i picked this up as it is scratching the marten itch!
Aug 22, 2021Beer poured a deep copper with a beautiful white head that has some very good hang time.
Nose has hints of toast and white bread.
Tasted is a classic toasted malt base leading to a mixed grain bread base. Finishes well balanced with use of Nobel hops.
Mouthfeel has a very nice lager creaminess, is light to medium bodied.
Overall glad i picked this up as it is scratching the marten itch!
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
3.24/5 rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
3.24/5 rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
A decent oktoberfest...
A visually stunning beer, the perfect burnt orange color I have ever laid my eyes upon with a frothy head to boot. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, very crisp, and slightly astringent, but nothing overly distracting. The rest of it, well, was okay. Even so, this is a decent marzen that represents the style solid enough.
Oct 30, 2020A visually stunning beer, the perfect burnt orange color I have ever laid my eyes upon with a frothy head to boot. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, very crisp, and slightly astringent, but nothing overly distracting. The rest of it, well, was okay. Even so, this is a decent marzen that represents the style solid enough.
Reviewed by Nass from Florida
3.31/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
The pour is similar to a clean & new copper penny in the dimple mug with a moderate flow of carbonation. The taste is pecans, brown bread crust, & faint hops. The flavor notes in the beer are a little on the mild side & need to come out more. Cheers! B-
Oct 04, 2020Reviewed by k1001001 from Tennessee
3.98/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Just drank this beer in my quest to find as many Oktoberfest / marzen lagers as possible. This one has been the most unique so far. There's a bit of a umami tasting note in there, rather than the very sweet stereotypical marzen taste. Definitely would try again. I tend to like the German breweries in this class but this is a good American one.
Sep 11, 2020Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.55/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.55/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle FILLED 07/28/20 ( about a month old) poured into a mug at fridge temp 5% ABV. The beer pours bright light copper in color with khaki head. The head recedes to a thin cap. The aroma is mild with caramel malt. The taste is surprisingly light for the color. A little malt up front and only in the aftertaste does the toasted, and to a lesser extent, the caramel come through. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, great amber lager & good festbeer in the since that it's very drinkable. Not as complex with the malts as one may hope, but tasty, clean and nicely dry.
Aug 25, 2020Reviewed by Buckeye55 from North Carolina
3.6/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear dark gold color with full off-white head. Aroma is a mix of spice, hops and a bready hint. Taste is spicy/sweet, with a mild bitter component. Just shy of medium mouthfeel and a slightly bitter aftertase. Above average, just a smidgen above halfway between average and outstanding
Nov 08, 2019Reviewed by ATL6245 from Georgia
4.14/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
4.14/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: Clear, brilliant medium amber with off white head, excellent retention.
Aroma: Herbal/spicy, grainy
Flavor and aftertaste: Herbal, spicy, bready with restrained bitterness. Moderately sweet.
Palate: Medium body, soft, rounded medium length finish.
Overall: An excellent Marzen. Produces a perfect clear pour with creamy off white head exhibiting very good retention. Hallertau Mittlefrueh & Spalt select hops. Malt forward aromas of toast & graininess with herbal/spicy hops aroma. Starts a little sweet but finishes nice and dry. Traditional bready, toast flavors with nice herbal/spicy hops. Touch of bitterness start to finish for some balance. Definitely one of the better American made Marzens. Very close to style, except ABV is just below 5.8% to 6.3%. Rated versus category. Highly recommend.
Oct 04, 2019Aroma: Herbal/spicy, grainy
Flavor and aftertaste: Herbal, spicy, bready with restrained bitterness. Moderately sweet.
Palate: Medium body, soft, rounded medium length finish.
Overall: An excellent Marzen. Produces a perfect clear pour with creamy off white head exhibiting very good retention. Hallertau Mittlefrueh & Spalt select hops. Malt forward aromas of toast & graininess with herbal/spicy hops aroma. Starts a little sweet but finishes nice and dry. Traditional bready, toast flavors with nice herbal/spicy hops. Touch of bitterness start to finish for some balance. Definitely one of the better American made Marzens. Very close to style, except ABV is just below 5.8% to 6.3%. Rated versus category. Highly recommend.
Rated by Clemson_OB from South Carolina
4.6/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.6/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
One of the better Marzens I've had, definitely worth buying a few!
Sep 21, 2019Reviewed by Purpleazaleas from South Carolina
4.16/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
4.16/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
from a bottle, pours a clear golden red amber with a creamy persistent head, mildly hoppy fragrance, first taste is slightly sweet and malty with a final clean finish of light hops, nicely balanced, a very lovely Oktoberfest
Sep 14, 2019Reviewed by ArchimedesSox from Georgia
3.85/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Clear copper color, 1/2 inch off white head, decent lacing
S: Caramel, earthy hops
T: Sweet malts, caramel, honey, bitter hop balance, earthy
M: Light to medium
O: Really good representation of the style.
May 22, 2019S: Caramel, earthy hops
T: Sweet malts, caramel, honey, bitter hop balance, earthy
M: Light to medium
O: Really good representation of the style.
Rated by bellce0 from Georgia
3.1/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.1/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Quite drinkable, but in need of a little more look, taste, and smell (complexity).
Nov 25, 2018Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
3.73/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12oz bottle into glass. Bottling date is stamped as '08/22/2018'.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Skiff of head upon pouring hangs around as an interrupted island and ring. No lacing.
Aroma of toasted malts and very slightly sour grassy hops.
Taste of toasted malts and grassy/floral hops. Has a very slightly sour flavor at the end. No bitterness.
Medium mouth feel. Good carbonation.
This is certainly in the wheelhouse of fest Marzen beer, but it is a little more harsh/not as smooth as others of its style. I would drink one of these and then go on to another version/brand.
Oct 24, 2018Clear, medium amber colored body. Skiff of head upon pouring hangs around as an interrupted island and ring. No lacing.
Aroma of toasted malts and very slightly sour grassy hops.
Taste of toasted malts and grassy/floral hops. Has a very slightly sour flavor at the end. No bitterness.
Medium mouth feel. Good carbonation.
This is certainly in the wheelhouse of fest Marzen beer, but it is a little more harsh/not as smooth as others of its style. I would drink one of these and then go on to another version/brand.
Rated by barreldregs from South Carolina
4.24/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This beer was very pleasing overall. It was in the center of the scores that would make me suggest it to friends.
Aug 30, 2018Reviewed by SmokySignals from North Carolina
4.48/5 rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle, FILLED ON 7/13/19 - printed on bottle clearly - HOW IT'S DONE! Poured into a mug.
looks- Orange clear and beautiful, nice foamy tan head hang around long enough...
Smell - malts, and autumnal, straw, wood
TASTE - malty, almost balanced, lightly sweet
Like most beers, it gets more focused and crisp out of a bottle or can. Sometimes brewers intend it to be enjoyed that way.
Oct 17, 2017looks- Orange clear and beautiful, nice foamy tan head hang around long enough...
Smell - malts, and autumnal, straw, wood
TASTE - malty, almost balanced, lightly sweet
Like most beers, it gets more focused and crisp out of a bottle or can. Sometimes brewers intend it to be enjoyed that way.
Clawhammer from Highland Brewing
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
348 ratings
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