Georgia Oktoberfest Marzen Roundup

Every fall I Iike to grab a bunch of Georgia made Marzens plus a couple German benchmarks and pick the best one in a blind taste test. It has gotten harder every year, as several GA based breweries make a tasty well crafted Marzen. This years group: Georgia Beer Co Saint Helen's, Monday Night Oktoberfest, Printers Ale Monoprint, Tucker Brewing Tucktoberfest, Round Trip Oktoberfest and New Realm Bavarian Prince. Bench marks: Ayinger Oktober Festbier and Hacker Pschor Marzen.

First thing that jumps out is the two German benchmarks are notably standouts in appearance, aroma, flavor and mouthfeel. You could easily pick them out from the domestically made ones.

My top three GA made:
1. Tucker Brewing Tucktoberfest
2. Round Trip Brewing Oktoberfest
3. Georgia Brewing Co Saint Helen's

Next group:
4. New Realm Bavarian Prince
5. Printers Ale Monoprint
6. Monday Night Oktoberfest

Note: Three very good Mazens have not come out yet: Arches Brewing Marzenbier, Ironshield Oktobefest and Halfway Crooks Oktoberfest.

Another thing to note, all six evaluated are well worth trying. I found no obvious flaws.

There were two surpises, Georgia Beer Co ranking so high and New Realm not making my top three.

The winner, Tucktoberfest, checked all the boxes: visually pleasing, nice aromas, complex malt profile and drinkability. Granted, this is all subjective, so what I enjoy in a Marze may not be the same as others. Inwas looking for the overall combination of visual, aroma, flavor & drinkability.

For BAs who like complex, rubust malty Marzens; any of the top three will be enjoyed.

For those BAs who prefer lighter and easy drinkability, the next three will be appreciated..

I was disappointed I could not get Arches Brewing because of their later release but it usuallyna top 5. But the top three of this review should more than satisfy the Oktoberfest Marzen itch.

Enjoy the Oktoberfest season. Prost!

 

The Bavarian Prince is one I buy every year. Consistently good. The reason it didn't make my top three was mostly visual. It has a much shorter head retention than the top three. Sounds picky I know, but that's how close my scoring was.
Thanks for the feedback! Cheers!