Is December too late for Oktoberfest?
Written: Dec 10 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Decent tasting beer
Cons: Not something I would buy a 6-pack of
The Bottom Line: While not bad, it really didn't do anything special for me.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Marzenbier |
It's that time of year again, when the craft brewers start sending out their 'Seasonal' variety packs for the beer lovers like me, exciting us with new and rare treats that we'll think fondly on (mostly) later in the year. Last year, I did a piece, "The Twelve Beers of Christmas", which covered the Saranac Seasonal 12-pack. This year, I have once again found one to enjoy. While some of the beers are the same, they are offering some different varieties - Saranac Chocolate Amber, Roggen Bock, E.S.B., Mocha Stout and, of course, this beer - Marzenbier.
Rather than revisit the 12 beers - when 7 of them are the same - I'm only going to review the 5 new ones (hold your applause, please). So, without further ado...
[• about SARANAC •]
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as SIX different soft drinks (they added one this year).
[• about MARZENBIER •]
Marzen is a style created in Germany traditionally served around the time of Oktoberfest. Marzen's are a paler style of Vienna lagers and were the principal form of Oktoberfest beers until recently, according to famed beer reviewer Michael Jackson. Their style is noted for a maltiness in character, and a more golden hue than the reddish Vienna; they are also stronger.
Saranac's version is somewhat of a secret recipe - I could find very little about it on the site or anywhere else. The alcohol content, commonly in the 5.x% range for the style, is unknown. I also don't know what varieties of malts and hops they use (sorry). I do notice a nice label with the German flag in the background. But as for the beer, well, let's take a look.
the POUR » I poured this into an pilsner - I don't know that it was the best glass, but it seemed good for it. The beer was a golden amber with a slight reddish hue. There was an ample white head that dissipated rather quickly. There is evidence of a decent amount of carbonation, as well.
the NOSE » This beer offers up a nose almost completely of malts. Though I would have expected some sweetness to the nose, there was none to be had; instead a grassy tone was strong and complete.
the TASTE » The first sip is remarkably full of maltiness - not bad. I detect a little bitterness in the background and a short-lived mixture of bitterness and maltiness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is pretty full, I would say, with a slight metallic tang brought on by the alcohol content.
Though there is a slight bit of bitterness, there is very little hops flavor to this beer - a little surprising. At the same time, it isn't very sweet either, which I would have expected from other similar beers. Instead, it comes off as 'beer', as my wife put it. There is something distinct in it mostly from the maltiness, which is heavy, but overall flavor seems almost pilsener-ish.
[• beer SPECIFICS •]
• Awards: None
• ABV: n/a
• IBU: unknown
• Shelf-Life: n/a
• Serving Temperature: 50 degrees F (chilled temperature)
• Calories (per 12 oz.): unknown
• Carbs: unknown
[• final THOUGHTS •]
This was an good beer, but nothing special. In the face of the recently enjoyed and reviewed Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen, I have to say that I would spend the extra money to get the Paulaner over this brew. This one just doesn't stand out as worth picking up on its own merit.
[• final SARANAC BEER TALLY •]
including last year's batch:
GREAT (4) - Caramel Porter, Season's Best, Chocolate Amber, Mocha Stout
GOOD (8) - Black Forest, Black & Tan, Golden Pilsener, IPA, Pale Ale, Traditional Lager, ESB, Roggen Bock
FAIR (3) - Adirondack Amber, Single Malt, Stout, Marzenbier
EHHH.... (1) - Belgian White
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
[• related SARANAC REVIEWS •]
2004 »
Chocolate Amber
Mocha Stout
Roggen Bock
ESB
2003 »
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac India Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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