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[expand]Total Score: 36/50
A nice drinkable beer that was remarkably unassertive in both hops and malt character. This bottle may have been a bit old, showing noticeable oxidation, but still quite pleasant. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Soft, velvety, toasty maltiness up front with light fruity esters and very light hop aroma. No diacetyl or DMS. Clean fermentation but some caramel and sherry notes of oxidation. (9/12)
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Appearance: Light brown/copper color with slight chill haze. Thin head dissipated rapidly. (2/3)
Flavor: Soft, toasty maltiness with hints of fruity esters (strawberries and peaches). Some roast malt and caramel to the malt finish leaving a sweet, chocolate aftertaste. Low hop flavor and moderately low hop bitterness. Not as balanced as expected for the style where more bitterness would exhibit the Northern German alt character. Some lemony sourness lingers in the finish. Otherwise a clean fermentation without diacetyl. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with low carbonation leaving a soft finish that’s not cloying but showing a smooth, almost creamy texture. Low level of astringency that seems to be hop derived. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A nice drinkable beer that was remarkably unassertive in both hops and malt character. This bottle may have been a bit old, showing noticeable oxidation, but still quite pleasant. I can imagine a fresher sample with a plate of roast pork and spaetzle. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Bigger and fuller than the other examples I have tried that are listed in the guidelines. Close to a Fest or Marzen. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Toasty rich malt, slightly grainy with caramel undertones. Very little hop detected. Very slight metallic note reminds me of Czech hops I have used in homebrews. Clean and rich. (10/12)
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Appearance: Copper with bright clarity. Even bubbles consistently rise, but the thin head of fairly large bubbles dissipates quickly in my glass. Off-white foam hangs around the edges of the glass. (2/3)
Flavor: Clean rich toasty malt with just enough hop bitterness to balance. Very clean fermentation. Finishes a little on the sweet side. Reminds me of some very good European Festbiers, maybe a little on the rich side for the style characteristics described? Very tasty, though I expect more hop for the style. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with surprisingly even carbonation, not prickly or gassy. Finishes a little sticky, but not quite cloying. A slight astringency that echoes the graininess in the aroma follows, with clean noble type hop bitterness in the end. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Bigger and fuller than the other examples I have tried that are listed in the guidelines. The malt character is outstanding for an American produced lager, again, reminiscent of some Ayinger and other German products I have tried rather than the grainy character I have found in many American beers. Close to a Fest or Marzen. Exhibits no ale character as expected from the description in the guidelines, but as mentioned earlier, I really expected more of a hop character in this style. A lovely beer that would go equally well with a schnitzel and gravy or chicken in white wine cream sauce. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Excellent example of the style—exceeded my expectations. The malt had a good complexity but would have been better balanced by either adding three to five more IBUs. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Vienna malt, nutty melanoidins with some caramel and a mild roastiness. Low ester level as per style. A hint of wine in the background gives it a bit of a sharp edge, but overall is quite pleasant. (11/12)
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Appearance: Deep copper color, excellent clarity and head retention. (3/3)
Flavor: Rich toasted malt character, similar to the malt-oriented examples of this style. Esters are low but not so well hidden to give it too much lager character. Slight roast in the finish, with a moderate hop bitterness to attenuate the malt. Some alcohol is evident—perhaps a little on the big side for the style. A slightly drier finish would be welcome. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Slight astringency with some metallic notes—a little detracting, but the creaminess, body and carbonation make up for these minor flaws. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Excellent example of the style—exceeded my expectations. The malt had a good complexity but would have been better balanced by either adding three to five more IBUs or backing off slightly on the original gravity. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Very fresh and clean. Malt-focused and suggestive of a Vienna or Oktoberfest. Not quite as bitter as expected. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Moderate strength rich malty sweetness, suggestive of Vienna/Munich malt with some grainy overtones. Restrained noble hops and a soft background of fruity esters. Quite clean, nothing off. Smooth, soft, somewhat sweet with emphasis on malt. (10/12)
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Appearance: Pretty coppery-orange color (like an Oktoberfest). Crystal clear. Moderate cream-colored head, settled quickly to virtually nothing. (2/3)
Flavor: Lovely, elegant, rich malt flavor with a moderate bitterness developing in the finish. Complex German-type malt flavor, light caramel, softly bready. Clean, smooth, and fresh; nothing off. Finish is fairly dry and refreshing. Moderate noble hop flavor, very low esters. Malty richness in aftertaste. Bitterness may be higher than it seems due to the high maltiness. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body, starts light and builds mid-palate then finishing dry. Medium to medium-high carbonation. Soft carbonic bite in finish. Very smooth. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Very fresh and clean. Malt-focused and suggestive of a Vienna or Oktoberfest. Not quite as bitter as expected. The rich malt and malt/hop flavors are very German and remind me of the best commercial Oktoberfests. Dry finish and hop kick at end cleans away any malt sweetness and invites the next taste. A wonderful food-friendly beer. I’d like to try it with beer-braised bratwurst and onions. (8/10)
