Note: This was already written well before I had to take several weeks off of doing the Blog. I had debated as to whether I should just delete the article or not, but decided to keep it and publish it later since it was a fantastic beer from a fantastic brewery. Please keep that in mind when reading the following piece.
Yes, absolutely, it is always a good time for Octoberfest. Roundabout now it’s roughly the time where these beers are going to start disappearing from tables. Generally speaking, the blue and white checkerboard pattern is to be replaced with Christmas trees in the very near future.
In the meantime, however, after listening to Sailfish owner David BuShea wax poetically about how delicious theirs turned out this year, I had to try a solid Oktoberfest (Marzen, 5.4% ABV, 22 IBU) on a recent trip recording the Florida Beer Podcast.
Not going to lie, it has aged beautifully and is amazingly flavorful.
It basically hits all the correct notes, with a deep amber brown color and a slightly orange, but mostly caramel, aroma.
With the flavor, it has a lot of the richness and body that a solid caramel malting brings, but moderately sweet. It has a touch of chewiness in the mouthfeel, but it’s not excessive. And it doesn’t swing into hoppy territory, that aspect is kept relatively light and low.
It’s definitely a malt bomb, as is the style, but one that was expertly dialed in to give just enough to be noticeable and rich and enjoyable, but not so much to where it becomes cloying or heavy.
It is a fantastic beer, and Dave was 100% correct. Unfortunately it will probably be gone soon, so hopefully we will be able to get more of this in the near future. In the meantime, I will keep going through and reviewing as many Marzens as I can before time runs out.
Prost!
Drink Florida Craft,
Dave
@floridabeerblog
[email protected]
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