Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Aying, Germany

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

Bottled. A little light in color, but at least not as light as the Hofbrauhaus. Sweet and kind of sticky. A nice hint of smokiness here, and a toasty malt character. Poured a big frothy head, which is nice.

Single bottle purchased from a Co-op Liqour Store on 12/27/2011. Colour: Light brown and orange with medium white head. Nose: Grassy hops, light caramlled malt, spring vegetation, white pepper. Taste: Medium sweet, mediumbitter, medium-light sour. Huge grain, lots of caramlaized barley, spiced citru s. A solid bitter grip late. This is extremely well crafted and just plain great beer.

500 ml bottle into pint glass, no bottle dating. Pours hazy golden orange color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention that reduces to a thin cap. Some spotty lacing on the glass as well. Aromas of big bready malts, caramel, herbal spiciness, toasted malt, and light apricot fruitiness. Classic Oktoberfest aromas, very nice stuff. Taste of caramel, toffee, biscuit, herbal spiciness, toasted malt, and light fruitiness. No bitterness present; with lingering notes of caramel, toasted malt, biscuit, and herbal spices on the finish for a bit. Great flavor balance and maltiness; with absolutely no cloying sweetness. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with hardly any noticed at all. Extremely drinkable and smooth as expected for the style. Overall this is a great Oktoberfest and one of the best I have had yet. Great balance and great malt flavor.

500ml bottle from the state store
Appearance: Clear golden with a big foamy white head and good lacing
Aroma: Toasted malts, toffee, fruity and sugar
Taste: Toasted malts, caramel, yeast with a bitter finish
A nice Oktoberfest.

Pint glass....nice pillowy head with a decent amount of carbination. Golden amber color with aroma of roasted malts. Taste is smooth, medium to light body, slight hoppiness with a tinge of alcohol burn on the finish. Not too bad on the palate and wallet.

Pours a deep golden amber with a nice white handead and good lacing. Nose of lightly roasted caramel malts with floral hops Medium in body and very smooth in mouthfeel The flavor is dominated by the caramel malt sweetness and the finish shows lots of the floral hops. There is a delightful flora spicy nuance at the end. Very nice rendition of the style.

My Bottom Line :
Honeyed and toasted cereals reign within this Festbier’s rich yet quaffable mouthfeel, building a textbook example of this type of lager.

Further Personal Perceptions :
-A veil of foam floats atop the pale amber shine.
-The finish is a tad shallow for my tastes (mostly sweetness and shy on the spicy hop bitterness).
-Malts also develop bread-like flavors.
-This is as pleasant (and linear) as most Oktoberfests I’ve had from Bavaria. Just not a huge fan of this type of lager (too sweet and predictable).

Bottle.

Rich amber/gold color; Medium slightly creamy body; Aroma of toasted malt, caramel, & light floral hops; Flavor of slight roasted sweet malt, caramel, hops, some toffee, and spice; Nicely balanced; One of the better Oktoberfest brews.

Another one of my favorites for the Autumn season, has some nice pumpkin notes but it seemed a little lighter the second time I had it. Will have to try it again next year.