Gordon Biersch Märzen - Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

Phelps

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into a tall shaker pint.

The bottle refers to this as an “auburn lager,” and that’s a good word for the appearance. Translucent and autumn-colored, the liquid sits below a one-finger head of filmy, sandy tan bubbles that are constantly replenished by carbonation rising from below.

Very nutty nose -- walnuts, mostly. Baked German bread and boiling malt add breadiness to a soft hint of apple and caramel.

The flavor is perfect replica of the aroma up front — nuts, baked bread, malt, apple. The swallow brings a nice flash of toasted oats that smooths everything else out.

Body’s a little thin and watery. Insubstantial on the tongue, but with silky carbonation that fizzes up just a bit. Crisp finish with just a touch of lingering bitterness.

The maerzen is probably my favorite of the standard Gordon Biersch beers. It sticks to the style while delivering decent flavor and drinkability. A go-to … if you’re at a Gordon Biersch.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 05:23:19 | More by Phelps

pin

Australia

2.5/5  rDev -31.1%

05-22-2013 04:58:05 | More by pin

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.91/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle into a regular glass.

A: Pours a darker copper color. There's a nice head here, four fingers high (due to an aggressive pour) and barely off-white in shade. While it fades quickly, it leaves behind a nice amount of lacing on the glass. The stronger retention away from the edges of the glass suggests a decent hop bill.

S: There is some sweet caramel typical of the style. I like the mild yet noticeable noble hopping, otherwise there isn't much to note here.

T: Touches of sweet caramel give way to a raisiny back end. Hops only seem to be here as a cleansing agent, which isn't really disappointing given its relative lack of freshness. Not bad, but it could use a touch less sweetness.

M: A bit heavier and less carbonated than I like from my marzens. The finish could also have less sweetness. It goes down okay.

O: Eh. It's a decent marzen that gets the job done - even still, there are better choices on the market.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 23:30:29 | More by ThisWangsChung

ajtorres311

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

05-15-2013 17:29:44 | More by ajtorres311

YieldToNothing

New York

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

05-15-2013 17:27:14 | More by YieldToNothing

zaptone

California

2.5/5  rDev -31.1%

05-12-2013 01:33:41 | More by zaptone

beerme411

California

3/5  rDev -17.4%

05-07-2013 10:08:32 | More by beerme411

smakawhat

Maryland

4.06/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a shaker pint glass.

A nice caramel and dark brown copper body, minimal noticeable carbonation, with a three finger classic tan head. Minimal lacing, and some staying power as well while drinking.

Nose has lots of sticky caramel, and hints of malt toffee. Borderline biscuity, but with a good dense malt. Pretty solid smelling Marzen.

Palate hits with all the simple right notes. Slightly creamy with a moderate carbonation. Thick but not syrupy caramel coats the palate all the way down, with a clean finish, small hints of grass and very lingering.

A real straight forward but solid marzen, good one to know about.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 23:57:14 | More by smakawhat

Pac-N-West_SNOB

4/5  rDev +10.2%

04-22-2013 19:48:34 | More by Pac-N-West_SNOB

bambam2517

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%

04-21-2013 10:02:19 | More by bambam2517

Boone757

Maryland

4/5  rDev +10.2%

04-20-2013 21:52:16 | More by Boone757

AlkaholTester

Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

04-16-2013 04:04:51 | More by AlkaholTester

midnitesun11

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

04-14-2013 04:31:45 | More by midnitesun11

dertyd

California

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

04-07-2013 05:11:27 | More by dertyd

Asics

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%

04-05-2013 21:26:18 | More by Asics

Jessicasav

California

4/5  rDev +10.2%

03-30-2013 18:24:11 | More by Jessicasav

Keith_R

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%

03-30-2013 18:06:45 | More by Keith_R

Bnoise11

California

4/5  rDev +10.2%

03-28-2013 02:26:39 | More by Bnoise11

nzerbe

New York

3/5  rDev -17.4%

03-27-2013 17:57:36 | More by nzerbe

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

03-19-2013 02:50:03 | More by DrunkinYogi

LambicPentameter

Kansas

4/5  rDev +10.2%

03-18-2013 14:23:31 | More by LambicPentameter

ac22rush

Illinois

4/5  rDev +10.2%

03-12-2013 05:13:38 | More by ac22rush

Duvel

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +24%

03-09-2013 16:33:30 | More by Duvel

aminobutyricacid

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -31.1%

03-05-2013 18:21:45 | More by aminobutyricacid

putz8

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%

03-05-2013 18:08:34 | More by putz8