Suds-Workin'-It
Written: Nov 26 '00 (Updated Nov 26 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Character, strong malt
Cons: none
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| Teykaerts's Full Review: Degroen's Marzen |
I love the Sudwerk Brewery. Located in liberal Davis, CA, with another brewery here in nearly as liberal Sacramento, Sudwerk's claim to fame is that they are wholly dedicated to bring the German beer experience here to America. All of their beers are in the authentic German style, and that means that 1)they are all lager beers (well, I guess the hefeweisen is an ale, but that is treading the line) and 2) they are are jaw-droppingly good brews. Germany is one of the great beer producing nations in the world, second only to Belgium in my estimation, and any brewery which sets its sights on trying to bring German styles of beers to the forefront of the American conciousness is to be commended. Boasting a full range of German lagers, including a dopplebock and a Maibock, Sudwerk truly is a terrific brewery, and one whose beers I am excited to sample with more frenquency.
The Style
Best known as Oktoberfest Beer, Marzen lagers are sweeter than normal Pilsners, darker, and with slightly higher alcohol content. Traditionally brewed in March (Marzen is actually German for "March"), these lagers are meant to be consumed during the chilly autumn months while scarfing down large amounts of sausage and pork, the basic components of most of the traditional German diet.
The Beer
Poured into a beer mug, Sudwerk Marzen shows itself to be a dark orange, light red color, the huge of a fine red wine. There is only modest head formation, consistent with my experience with Marzen-style lagers. A deep whiff of the brew reveals the delicious smell fresh bread, along with strong malty sweetness.
The taste is dominated by more sweet, bread-like flavors throughout, as well as rich milk-caramel. Not cloying at all, nicely balanced towards the end by a lightly hopped, barely sour finish. There is a good grainy flavor that gives this particular Marzen more character and authenticity than even some of the German Marzen lagers. This is a medium-light bodied beer, with a soft, velvety mouthfeel complimented by lightish carbonation. Brewed with five different types of malt and authentic Bavarian hops, I would call Sudwerk Marzen a light dopplebock, with its bready, toasted flavors. A very nice lager, and a great introduction to fine German-style beers.
Finishing Up
Widely distributed throughout California, I fear that Sudwerk lagers may be a bit difficult to obtain outside of the West Coast. Could be available at big liquor chains. If you do see Sudwerk Marzen, my recommendation is to snatch up a couple six-packs and count yourself lucky. This really is a Marzen-lager with tons of character and heaps of malty, toasty sweetness. Would be terrific with bratwurst or weinerschnitzel, or just sipping on a chilly evening. I know I will be do that again soon. Prost!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Teykaerts
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Member: David Teykaerts
Location: Sacramento, CA
Reviews written: 120
Trusted by: 60 members
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