(Growler) Courtesy of aspidites. Beautiful clear, orangey brown with an off-white head. Fresh, malty nose - a byt rye breadish. Medium body with a very soft mouthfeel - a bit low in carbonation. Very clean and malty with a dry finish. 290307

This Marzen poured a deep yellow gold color from a fresh growler. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is caramel and malty, Medium bodied Marzen. The malts are caramel and fruity, semisweet. The hops are earth and floral, there is also a nice rye bread like spiciness here that is quite nice. Nice carbonation. Good balance. A very drinkable Marzen. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

On tap @ Schooners poured aclear reddish amber with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of carmel and fruitiness. Palate was medium bodied smooth and dry. Flavors of bread, carmel and light fruitiness with a dry slightly astringent finish.

On tap at the Schooner’s Brewery/Restaurant in Antioch. The beer poured clear copper – caramel color with light tan foam ring. There’s a mild aroma of spice, faint dark fruitiness and caramel malts. The fruitiness noted in the nose jumps out in the flavor with dates and prunes that meet up with a mild spice and beat sugar flavor mixture. There is also a diluted caramel sweetness running through along the background.

Bottle from Aspidites. Drank out of a snifter. I don’t know, maybe that was a bad move, but this stuff is not enjoyable to me at all. I’m surprised the ratings are all so high. Aroma is very vegetal, almost watermelony, and the flavor is a dank, dangerous muddy, fishy flavor that I dread going near every sip. I love a good Oktoberfest, but this just isn’t doing it for me.