Aviator OktoberBeast

Brewed by Aviator Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

On tap at Tyler’s, Durham. I had hopes that the embiggening (Simpsons reference) would improve a style I’m at best lukewarm to. In fact, while it initially looked and smelled like it might be a hoppy kissin’ cousin to an ASA, it turned out simply to be a red mess of a beer. Very sweet, watery mouthfeel, with a mild burn and a general impression of melted generic candy. Bleh.

Not sure why w need an impy ofest but ok. Thin..I’ve had else aviator but would not by again

Growler. Pours copper, medium tan head. Aroma of caramel, spices, and butterscotch. Flavor is mild sweet and you can taste the traditional fall spices like ginger and nutmeg flavor. Medium malt body, mild bitterness from the hops, quickly fading finish. Not bad overall.

Draft. Bright orange amber color, large tan head. Fascinating aroma of caramel covered popcorn, totally unique. Taste is sweet and malty with a burnt edge. Nice.

Draft at Dain’s in Durham. Pours slightly coppery orange without much head. Nose is sweet and malty. Some butterscotch and orange. Taste is way too sweet. Tastes and feels like a soda. Pretty bad.

Draft at Tylers. Rich mahogany with a medium white head that didn’t last very long. Nose is caramel and peppery hops. Very strongly hopped for the style, more like a fresh American pale ale with an interesting winter-spice characteristic to the body. Other than the weak head, I really liked this unique fall brew.

Draft at Speakeasy. Amber with a thick white head. Nose is exhuberantly sugary sweet and a big turnoff, also some butterscotch. Eck. Sweet, lightly bitter and just bad.

Tasted at woodys city market for the 2011 release. great clarity and nice orange amber color. Malty and sweet and no hint of the high abv. A great octoberfest beer. One of my favorites of the season