SurlyFest - Surly Brewing Company

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Pours a nice copper colour, finger of head with some retention and sporadic lacing.

S - Scent is dominated by sweet butter caramel, leafy green and citrus hops, metallic rye and grainy biscuit malts.

T - The grassy and citrus hop flavours dominate, a peppery spice follows with the biscuit and grainy malt notes lingering alongside an earthy bitterness.

M - Lighter bodied, incredibly smooth and finishes with a touch of dryness.

O - Yet another winner from Surly. Incredibly flavourful and delicious. This is a session ale, and everything about it screams easy drinking deliciousness.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 02:29:59 | More by andrenaline

LiquidBread219

Indiana

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A= Poured a dark cooper/amber color nice white head that provided some spotty lacing.

S= Really liked the nose on this one it basically consisted of carmel, bready, pine, some spices. Really nice nose.

T= Taste was sweet at first and then you get the bready notes and spices that balance it out the pine notes are more in the background. Really like this one.

M= Medium bodied, great carbonation.

O= Overall, I thought this was a great beer in this style. I really enjoyed this beer it's a above average beer for this style (Rye/Octoberfest). I would diffently try this one again and it's a perfect fall beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 06:44:34 | More by LiquidBread219

cosmicevan

New York

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to Shango42 for hooking this up a while ago. was pretty pumped to see the suggested glassware listed as a stange, so i busted out my Liefmans stange that JAHMUR threw my way at an in person trade at the rosso release (thanks!).

a - cracked the can and filled the stange...really nice transparent amber with a darker core and visible carbonation. single finger bubbly white head with sticky lacing.

s - festive. spicy potpourri. some grape and sweetness.

t - great malty sweetness...grape, nutmeg. i'm not getting much hops, but to be fair, this beer is pretty out of season right now. the oktoberfest marzen type of thing is really there...and i dig it.

m - lively carbonation. a touch watery.

o - overall, really really dig this one. i'd like to try it a bit fresher (my bad that i sat on it for such a long time)...but i do really enjoy it with the heavy malt bill and missing hops. the sweetness is great...almost barleywine like crossed with a marzen.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 02:45:03 | More by cosmicevan

sugit

California

3.2/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Deep orange amber color. A good one finger of off white head, which disapeared quickly leaving a bif a cap. Leaves some lacing behind.

S: Pine and citrus hops. Some nice caramel malts. Given the sytle, I thought the hops were too aggresive. Almost like a IPA with a good malt backbone.

T: I haven't had many Rye's so I did a bit of research on what I should be tasting from this style. I pick up a little of of the sour and spicy taste associated with a Rye beer, but not as much as I would have though.

Much like the smell, I taste citrus hops with a malty backbone, with the spice and sour very faint. As it warms I get a bit more of the spice, but still not as much as I was expecting.

Not bad tasting, but not what I was expecting.
M: Low to mid carbonation and body.

D: I could put quite a few of these away given the low ABV. Not something I will crave more of though.

This is a tough one for me to grade. For the style, I don't think it hits the mark. Too much like a malty IPA. Not sure if that was what they were trying to do with a Rye, but it didn't work.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 04:44:57 | More by sugit

decadance

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Many thanks to cmurren25 for this unexpected can.

A - Looks of an octoberfest, but a bit darker. A head of about an inch. Dissipates quickly, but it does lace a bit. Tasty looking.

S - Most people rate this down here, but I think its because everyone is IPA crazy. It has not just bread malts, but rye smell through and through. No hops in the nose, to be expected.

T - Doesn't entirely hit me as one note, but it is monotonous. Very little hops, which could be used to balance it out. This beer is not sweet, it is welcomely malted, but a tad bit of hope bitterness would balance it in my opinion.

M - It holds on my mouth wonderfully, it is not thin or watery. It is as thick as the style should be, without being overwelming.

D - No alcohol presence at all, and not palate destroying. This has all the enjoyablity of an adjunct lager, with 10x more taste. Awesome beer, just wish it had more hops in the front.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 01:28:59 | More by decadance

mikey711

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured into a pint glass slowly and a champange like head formed and quickly left as I filled the glass to the top. Copper colored with load of carbonation rushes up from the bottome of the glass.

S: Slightly spicy and toasted caramel. A bit of yeast is present in the nose as well.

T: The rye comes through subtly in this sweet tasting beer. The yeastiness is present as well but adds to the idea of this being a rye lager.

M: Very creamy and full bodied for a lower abv beer.

D: IS it sessionable yes, but I probably wouldnt want more than two in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2009 20:47:16 | More by mikey711

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

thanks to Shango42 !

pour is a bright copper with a little creamy head that quickly disappears. light retention and little to no lacing

biscuit and toasted malts

light floral and lightly sweetened malts up front that finish with a light dry malty finish. a slight bitterness, possibly from the rye, throughout and not overly sweet like MANY marzens.

could use a little more carbonation

solid offering from surly, a wonderful take on the marzen style.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 00:54:58 | More by hooliganlife

srandycarter

California

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours pretty murky but bright amber, cascading bubbles abound. Good head reduces to wring. Lots of sticky lace.

S - Subdued. Light sweet malt, possibly rye there.

T - Nice balanced act of sweet malt, slightly spicey rye and hops.

M - Party in the mouth. Good coating, good carb, nice balance and clean 'I want more' finish.

D - Totally.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2008 04:11:26 | More by srandycarter

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of Oakbluff: Poured a deep slightly hazy amber color ale with a thick foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of big semi-sweet malt rye with some dry hops. Taste is also dominated by big rich malt with the typical rye taste and some light dry hops at the end. Full body with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very refreshing beer but also very filling which mean I wouldn't have that much in a session. Also, I was expecting a hop bomb as this brewery is quite good at those but this is somewhat close to the original style.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2008 18:45:34 | More by Phyl21ca

JDV

Texas

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of trade with tytoanderso
Pours a gorgeous autumnal amber color with a big sudsy lace inducing head. Smell is fresh and vibrant and wow, there are actually big fresh hops in this oktoberfest! Smell is hoppy, yet apples and sweet malt as well. Amazing for a style I usually find pretty average. Taste is nice, and mildish aside from a decent dose of grassy hopping and a nice bitterness level. Easy on the malt, and not a sweet or tart oktoberfest like I'm used to but more mildly sharp and zesty, perhaps from the Crystal Rye. A touch on the thin side palatewise, although the carbonation is spot on. A great, unique oktoberfest although I would actually like a hint more sweetness here. Big thanks for the can, Tyler!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 20:14:18 | More by JDV

jwc215

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Wasatch for including this in a trade!

Pours hazed orange/amber with a thin off-white head that lasts.

The smell is of a heaping of lemony, piney hops with some grainy malt. Amazing aroma. Aromatic hops with enough malt to keep it complex and deep.

The taste of juicy citric/lemony and piney hops blend very well with a firm malt base. Finishes refreshingly dry.

It has a juicy medium body.

Oh - is this drinkable...a wonderful hoppy, yet balanced brew. Very creative/unique!

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 16:35:28 | More by jwc215

Lothore

California

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a deep orange hue with a small but sustainable eggshell head.

S- Smells of fragrant hops, malty sweetness.

T- Taste is incredible. Spicy, malty, nutty, typical oktoberfest beer on steroids.

M- Medium viscosity, light on the carbonation.

D- This is extremely drinkable. I could easily drink these until I passed out from the alcohol and deliciousness.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 18:15:26 | More by Lothore

Graham21

Iowa

3.55/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice bubbly frothy tan head 2 mm thick. Amber in appearance with sediment lingereing. Smells very hoppy, small amounts of bready yeast. Pretty hoppy for an Oktoberfest, grapefruit comes through slightly. SurlyFest is better than average but not amazing. Body is dry and lacking.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2007 05:11:52 | More by Graham21

slyke

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

SurlyFest pours a beautiful copper color with an ample white head.

The aroma of the beer has some rye, grass, malt and a bit of hop.

The taste has rye followed by malty sweetness and a tinge of the hop that becomes more prominent in the bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is crisp and slightly coating. Excellent.

Drinkability is fan-dang-tastic on this one. It is very smooth, and slides down easily. This is an outstanding beer! Get it if you can.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2007 18:43:29 | More by slyke

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On Tap, Blue Nile.

The unassuming and standard looking body do not harbinger the different but fantastic beer that is SurlyFest. The smell gives it away at first. Mangos, pineapple, strawberry, passionfruit. All very malty but rich and fruity as well. The taste backs this up. A rich malty beer with many fruit notes, also carmel malts, with a better-than-average-for-the-style hop finish. I think Surly could've stuck with what may be assumed is the Surly formula (hops up the wazoo), but this beer is so much more, it is delicious, unique, and should be tried by all. A standout Oktoberfest.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2006 03:37:29 | More by TastyTaste

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - clear bronze, generous head held its own with plenty of sticky lacing
S - caramel, grains, wood, mild citrus and earthiness
T - pleasant mix of earthy, spicy, and light piney hops, big caramel and hearty grain maltiness, finishes with a mild woody flavour
M - slightly heavy, full malty feel with just enough hop bitterness to balance
O - this is a fine brew with a nice mix of spicy rye grain, sweet malts, and a smooth finish, not a traditional 'fest' beer as I know it but big ups for putting a twist on it, this brewery is the real deal

Serving type: can

04-20-2013 01:05:41 | More by joemcgrath27

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.01/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

apparently surly makes only interesting and top quality brews. I love this one. its like a Oktoberfest, but is spiked with rye malt, and has a unique vanilla character im not used to in the style. the pour is more bronze than orange, mostly clear, with an inch or so of lasting white head. the nose is german malty, but with that familiar peppery rye kick and a finish of fresh vanilla beans cut open and scraped clean. yum! the flavor is a little less dramatic on the vanilla, and its more toward the front than the finish, but its still there. the malt balances out into a nice german traditional marzen style. this has characteristics of both an ale and a lager, its crispness is remarkable for its complexity, and its super sessionable. strong carbonation lightens up a fuller medium body, and the 6% abv is just right for me in thus style. overall a very strong offering from surly, I really love the vanilla twist here.

Serving type: can

04-09-2013 17:07:49 | More by StonedTrippin

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can opened on 3.14.13
9/14/11

A - Pours a clear, dark orange-red with a foamy three inch head that fades slowly.

S - Malty, rye bread, still hoppy.

T - Silky smooth rye and wheat bread with a touch of hops.

D - Gread carbonaton with a light body.

O - Old, but still tasty. Some hops still left. How'd I miss this one? I want a fresh one!

Serving type: can

03-24-2013 04:51:09 | More by HuskyinPDX

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

First had: can, as a trade extra

I went in expecting a typical marzen, but this was actually quite different: a tasty rye lager. A mostly clear, darker amber pour, with a small, foamy, white head that sank to a collar and left a few streaks of lacing on the glass. Aroma was sweet with malts, bready, toasty, herbal hops. The taste reflected the scent, sweet malts, bready, toasty rye--not too distinctive, but still apparent--light herbal hops. Crisp, clean mouthfeel, medium body, maybe light-medium, quite drinkable overall. A nice and unexpected treat.

Serving type: can

03-03-2013 13:14:29 | More by Rifugium

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer pours a reddish-brown with a fluffy white head and lots of bubbles. Smell is caramel malt with hints of spicy rye. It essentially smells like your average marzen with a little something extra. The flavor is where this beer really shines, it has that great caramel malt flavor of a marzen but adds in some awesome spicy rye and a bit of hops. It's incredibly full-flavored but has a nice clean finish. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with some heavy carbonation. This is a pretty great beer and one of my favorite lagers ever made. I wish it wasn't just a seasonal, as this would be a fantastic beer to drink year-round.

Serving type: can

11-25-2012 23:17:03 | More by starrdogg

kojevergas

California

3.73/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

475ml aluminum can (by the way, they also claim it's 'one pint' which is quite inaccurate [even in terms of U.S. standards - consult wikipedia]) served into a Dick's Last Resort pilsner glass in me sister's gaff in low altitude Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given the brewery. No best before date.

Served relatively cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger light khaki colour head of good thickness, nice cream, and good retention. Body colour is a delightfully vibrant amber. One of the better Amber colours I've seen. Transparent. Translucent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Toasted amber malts, caramelization, a hint of cherry, and some cream. I don't get rye; call me crazy. A delightful aroma. Vibrant evocative malts abound. Some light spicing; even a vague hint of...ginger? Surprisingly fruity. I'm intrigued. A moderate strength, very pleasant aroma.

T: Toasted amber malts comprise the foundation. Hints of cherry. Some cream. Delightfully subtle caramelization. Malty and layered. The fruity notes blend well with the malty backbone, but it's never overly sweet. Again, I do not detect rye - either it's incredibly subtle or it's just a footnote in the grain bill. Evocative, rich, and delightful. I quite fancy it. Subtle, pleasant, and enjoyable.

Mf: Smooth but coarse enough to bring the flavour out. Good carbonation and thickness.

Dr: Quite drinkable and enjoyable. A solid Oktoberfest bier from Surly - even if they don't want to admit it. So you threw in a touch of rye - whoopty doo. This is a Marzen. Not a traditional one, but nevertheless a Marzen. And one of the better ones I've had, at that. I'd get this again. Dareisay sessionable (for those of us who aren't such nancies that we need our session beer to be 4% or less). Another solid offering from Surly.

B

Serving type: can

11-22-2012 18:39:45 | More by kojevergas

match1112

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to cofeeguru for this!

a: clear amber body with an inch of off white head.

s: sweet caramel, citrus hops and bread.

t: had no idea this had rye in it from the smell, luckily the rye spice shines thru on the tongue. balanced out pretty well from the hops and caramel malts.

m: medium body with decent carbonation. some of the rye spice dances on the tongue. clean finish.

o: easy drinkin, smooth taste, really solid beer.

Serving type: can

11-11-2012 22:38:06 | More by match1112

metter98

New York

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is relatively clear yellowish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short beige head that died down but left a large patch of bubbles on the surface and lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of herbs and hops in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has some spiciness from the rye and a light to moderate amount of hop bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The dry-hopping and rye helped lighten up the maltiness that is usually found in Oktoberfest beers. I found this to be very enjoyable and easy to drink.

Serving type: can

11-03-2012 16:41:00 | More by metter98

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz. can poured into a Sam Adams Octoberfest Stein. Awesome looking color. It's a nice dark orange to brown in color. Nice glow when held to the light. Absolutely perfect clarity on this one. Nice orangey creamcicle colored head on it that absolutely erupts after a hard pour. There is good lacing and glass retention on this as well.

Smell is good, but it's not that strong. Not completely traditional for a oktoberfest style here. Plenty of roasted barley, a helping of rye and as the can indicates it's dry hopped. All that combined with a dose of lager yeast to makes it smell a little more traditional. It's all very nice and well blended, one of the better smelling I've had this year for sure, it's just not that strong.

Taste is awesome, it's literally flawless in my opinion. Lots of rye mixed with plenty of roasted barley. Lager yeaste is a little more obvious in the flavor profile than the smell. The hops arn't overpowering by any means (and they shouldn't be in this style) but they are more apparent here than the smell again, which isn't all that common. Basically it has all the great characteristics of the nose just stronger now.

Mouthfeel is also great. Medium bodied with an excellent carbonation level. Smooth, buttery and well balanced with a clean almost crisp finish. Great drinkability on this one, wish I could have been drinking this already all during the fall. Great beer, great representation of the style. Has some unique characteristics while still maintaining the traditional integrity of the style. Well done Surly and thanks to Noah for sending this one out.

Serving type: can

10-19-2012 00:03:27 | More by AndyAvalanche

Etan

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can into a pint glass.

A: Pours a maple-brass color with a nice off-white head.

S: Mild citric hoppiness with some faint notes of rye and bready malt.

T: Like the nose, very mild notes of rye, palpable hop bitterness, some orange, a little nutty in the finish.

M: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: This tastes fine, but instead of choosing a hoppy beer or a traditional festbier they made a hybrid that seems sort of middling to me.

Serving type: can

10-17-2012 18:45:25 | More by Etan