Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen

Bottle. Largish, off-white head. Clear orange body. Good lacing. Aroma has lots of cereal, oats, some caramel, and orange. Taste is sweet, with lots of cereal, a slight citrus along with an off-note (rotten orange). Soft mouthfeel, lively carbonation.

To some October means Halloween, the changing of the leaves, and the oncoming holiday season such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. To beer geeks though it can mean only one thing: Oktoberfest beers. There is the annual huge event in Germany known as Oktoberfest where beer flows freely and in vast quantities. Not to be left out of the beer festivities, Oktoberfest gatherings of all sizes can be found during its namesake month throughout the great states of America. While there are some fine American examples of traditional German Oktoberfests, today I reach beyond my borders for the heartland of Black Forests and partake of the Spaten Oktoberfest.
She poured with a huge almost 2 finger thick head rushing to the top of my glass and threatening to overflow. Thankfully there was no spillage, and soon my glass was brimming with her dark copper and dull amber-orange body. The head fades into a thin layer on top. The nose has a surprisingly large amount of freshly squeezed lemons and citric aromas. Lemon upfront with hints of bitter nuts and a dank, wet malty finish. Repeated swirls leaves massive trails of brussels lace along the sides of my glass which last from start to finish. Not one to make my Spaten Oktoberfest wait, I delve into her coppery depths and discover that despite the bright lemony and citric nose, very little is found in the palate. Instead a rather thick and chewy mouthfeel and body compliments the overwhelming wet, dank and malty flavors. I’m surprised by how heavy the mouthfeel and body of this particular Oktoberfest. While it isn’t a detriment, I wouldn’t name it as a positive attribute either. The finish is clean and doesn’t linger which definitely helps. Just a faint fringe of bready malts and caramel. I was
Overall, the Spaten Oktoberfest was alright, but not great. I have yet to be bowled over by any of Spaten’s beers to date, and they always come across as average. It might be better on draft as the Oktoberfest comes in a green bottle which lends it to skunking faster. A good interpretation of the style, but a bit too thick and unbalanced overall.

On Tap. Nice fluffy head, rich amber brown. Roasted malty flavors with a little bit of hops. Smooth and a tiny hint of caramel with a light sweetness. Decently balanced brew. Not a bad beer, but not that exotic either.

Poured from bottle. Can’t believe i’ve never rated this. Malty aroma. Clear amber, thin light tan head. Roasty malt flavor, but more hops that I expected. Quite drinkable. Mellows at finish.

On tap at Nach Bar. Nice rich brown color with great oak and cherry notes in the flavor and aroma. Highly drinkable.

on tap at American Flatbread. The waittress gave me this since their own marzen had kicked. Deep reddish amber in color with a lasting off white head- very nice appearance. Aroma of toasted malts- almost a hint of roast, caramel, fresh bread, noble hops. Taste is balanced very well: caramel, toasted malts, light molasses sweetness with some nice noble hop flavor and bitterness. Very clean and well rounded. Medium bodied, I enjoyed this more than alot of other marzens I’ve had.

12 ounce bottle sampled at a party. Good sweet malt taste. Some hops barely detectable but tasty. Easy to drink would buy again

On Tap at Annie Bailey’s, Nice amber color, aroma is sweeter... much smoother then had planned... sweet aftertaste... hint of hops...usually not a fan of oktoberfest brews, but this is a solid brew....