American Made Marzens

Last year was my first year drinking it. Got a 3.5 something when I reviewed it. Perhaps, this year, I appreciate the subtleties of a Marzen more than last year? I know I'm more into Lagers more recently than I may have been ever in the past.

 

6.7%...hmm, that’s Maibock territory. Certainly higher than any German Oktoberfest. Did it taste a bit heftier than your typical Oktoberfest?

It’s also in a Czech dimpled mug. That’s ok, I love that glass, I won’t tell anyone that you’re using it for a German beer.

This certainly seems to be the case now. That being said, you’ll have your outliers, like Victory “Festbier” which has been around many years and is amber.

 

It’s way smoother than their Maibock or new Kölschbock. Need to grab some Staghorn for comparisons sake. Definitely does not taste like the higher abv, seemed a bit lighter than Half Acre’s Lagertown.

I love my Dovetail mug, perfect serving vessel (also cause I don’t have a Dovetail Stein).

 

Hopefully it's not as smoky as their Maibock either!

Yeah, they're having some canning line issues.

 

Kolschbock, Imperial Pilsner, Heller Bock -- whatever.

 

I’ve heard some say Maibock was smoky, I didn’t get that at all. A very good example of the style, definitely beat Pipeworks one by a mile.

Haven’t heard of or noticed any canning line issues. Consumed more Dovetail than any other brewery this year and never had a bad/off can or bottle. Every brewery can have a hiccup or 2 but I haven’t come across one yet with them.

 

Did you drink the Maibock from the can or draft? Just wondering if the smokiness leeched in thru canning.

There are a few reviews that talk about the smokiness and I've talked with people who got it from the cans too.

Their Vienna didn't have it, but it was awfully turbid.

 

I don’t believe there where any kegs of Maibock this year since the taproom was shut down at the time. But had Maibock in the past years on draft and don’t recall any smokiness to it.

 

Maybe not, but it's there in some of the cans -- and it's not exactly subtle.

 

Locally
Berkshire Brewing, Life on Marzen
Regionally
Zero Gravity
Nationally
Sam Adams
Great topic
Cheers

 

Just had the MadTree Ziegler and the FatHead G'Suffa! Can recommend those for sure!

 

I believe the thread was for Marzens, or I am getting senile, which is probable?

 

Well, the last few Weinachtsbiers I had were Doppelbocks, but that was in Germany, not Pennsylvania.

 

Victory Festbier, to me it stands out amongst the others. So smoooooth!

 

That makes total sense, thanks for the info. And it’s a damn fine Rauchbier, really come to love that one!

 

Tucker Brewing Co. here in Atlanta made an outstanding Marzen last year - Tucktoberfest. Victory Festbier and Highland Brewing (Ashville, NC) are two I look forward to every year. I'm guessing Olde Mecklenburg Brewing Mecktoberfest is probably very good because they have a great rep for Lager beers; but I've never had the pleasure of trying one.

 

The thing is, the Maibock has been my favorite from Dovetail so far, but when I finally get down to reviewing it I'm going to have to knock off points because they aren't calling it a Rauchbier. Should probably wait another year, but too much can change over that much time.