Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen

Had this out of a botte. Had a decent nutty flavor. Not as much going on as you would expect from an octoberfest. Sessionable.

Had this on draft at the Bowery Bar & Grill in Franklin, WI. I hadn’t had this beer in years, and it seemed time to try it again. The beer certainly looks like an Oktoberfest, with white foam and a tan body. However, foam was not very abundant and head retention was not very good. Odor was practically non-existent. Flavor was not very full-bodied. Marzen/Oktoberfests seem to emphasize a maltiness that this beer just did not demonstrate. I thought it was decidedly mediocre. All things said, I’d prefer another Oktoberfest, such as the offering from Leinenkugel’s.

I must not have been drinking the same beer that everyone else is rating so highly. The smell, taste and finish of this all reminded me of a pale lager, similar to a Stella or a Chinese Tsingtao. Almost a skunky aroma, and the taste was more of the same. If I see it, I may try again, just to make sure I didn’t just get a bad bottle, but based on this one, I could not find too much good to say about this beer.

This beer pours a light amber with a small tan head. The aroma is strong on the malt and spicy. Flavors are the same. Pretty normal for the style, but not a bad beer! Cheers!

Very biscuity and bready, slight harvest veggies. Very drinkable, perfect body for the style. Probably the most perfect fit for the style I’ve had yet.

Had this on tap at the Winking Lizard Tavern on 10/18/2006... Amber color with mild carbonation and a white crown. Aroma is light toffee-like malt. Flavor is caramel/toffee malt, mild, and some alcohol. The finish has some slight bitterness shining through. The mouthfeel is quite smooth. This is a solid Oktoberfest that is very well balanced and true to the style.

22 fl oz draught, $5.30 from the Winking Lizard Tavern - Crosswoods.


9/26/2007: The color of Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen is deep golde/plage brown. It has an off-white head that is dense, foamy, and long-lasting and leaves thin lacing. This beer has a mild aroma and flavor that contain soft, slightly toasted "European" maltiness and a soft hoppiness. This beer has a medium to medium-full body and is smooth on the palate. It is a solid Oktoberfest brew.

Sample(s) from bottles shared at the September 2007 Jundale Beerklub Tasting. Thanks!

Dark amber pour with a creamy and long lasting white head. Light roasted malt aroma with some underlying sweetness. Mouthfeel is robust, with caramel and wood notes. Little bit of sourness towards the finish. Slightly bitter finish. Good for a fest beer.

A suprisingly great beer. A great balance between sweetness and spice. The flavor changes as it warms up. Medium in body with a tan head. Great aroma.