Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Surprisingly clear. Light orange beer. Huge, foamy white head fades slowly to a half inch or so. Great lacing.

Light, crisp, fruity sweetness in the aroma.

Sweet, malty flavor dominates. Some bitterness lingers in the aftertaste.

Medium light bodied. Clean, dry, slightly bitter finish.

For some reason, I expected this beer to be bolder in flavor, and heavier in mouthfeel. That being said, everything was correct to style, so I can't complain too much. Pretty solid Oktoberfest. Would drink another.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 14:15:10 | More by UnderPressure

Chadhowie

California

3.99/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I tried this one because it claims to be somewhat of an official Oktoberfest beer and I would love to go to Oktoberfest one day. It certainly did not disappoint. For an Oktoberfest lager, it was sweeter than I expected it to be. It beat 90% of the lagers that I have had to date and the sweetness actually made it a little better.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 00:12:23 | More by Chadhowie

InlandTaipan

California

4.49/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This is the best Oktoberfest in the game. Absolutely beautifully crafted. Great amber color, caramelized malt note, and subtle sweetness. this one absolutely nails it. Buy one to know what they should all be judged by!

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 22:27:49 | More by InlandTaipan

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

4.73/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle. Pours a burnt yellow colour. The nose on this is just amazing--so complex and inviting. It's nutty, fruity and brimming with so many great malt notes. Taste-wise it's equally complex. It's slightly sweet, but has a nice robustness with a delicious spicy finish. The best of this style we've had, it's perfect for hearty holiday meals.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 19:47:44 | More by CookstLiquor

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

love most everything ayinger... pours a dark straw color. wary of ANYTHING of a straw color, though.... but a decent head.
lighter smell than expecting....sweet, caramel-y malt aroma.
taste is of the same. more lager-y than oktoberfest-y to me. the sweet malts make this seem less of a 'seasonal' than a regular, such as the other german perennials...
overall, typical ayinger.... commercial, but very nice tasting and average 5- 5.8% abv. except for the celebrator, of course. great session beers, normally. straight 80's in my opinion...

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 01:35:10 | More by pkalix

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a clear golden color with a 2 finger head and nice lacing.

S: Faint honey and malt aromas followed by a hint of alcohol.

T: Very mellow honey and malt flavors along with some mild hops in the background.

M: Light to medium body with light carbonation.

O: Not bad at all. Easy to drink and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 00:41:40 | More by nUgZ

TheSixthRing

California

3.84/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a crystal clear, golden orange with an off-white, 2 finger head. Decent retention. Shows a fair amount of lacing.

Smell - The aroma is subtle; grain and honey. Hints of caramel.

Taste - Flavors are light to moderate in strength, but well constructed. Sweet malt character; mellow honey and caramel flavors. Clean grain. Hops are subdued, but are faintly present and help to balance the sweetness.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, with fair carbonation. Creamy, smooth finish.

Overall - Decent flavor profile but, as with most Ayinger brews, a wonderful mouthfeel. There are a handful of Oktoberfest brews I'd opt for over this one, but it's not a bad choice if options are limited.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:27:50 | More by TheSixthRing

kagent777

Utah

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500 ml bottle purchased from the Utah system. Poured into my perfect pint.

Appearance: A crystal clear deep golden beer with an off white head that sits about one finger tall.

Smell: Distinct honey "lager" smell from the malts. That smell is so inviting to me. The Bros mention tea in their review describing the hops smell and I tend to agree. Sort of a light herbal general smell to it.

Taste: Big caramel and toffee malt flavors. A touch of bitterness on the finish. Very crisp and cleanly balanced.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and soft with a medium thickness and low to middling carbonation.

Overall: A decent Oktoberfestbier. There are others that I like better, but this one certainly will get purchased again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 05:48:09 | More by kagent777

TheDinger

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle into a pint glass. Nice copper pour with off white 2 finger pillow head with some active carbonation. Nice smell of marzen spices, nutmeg and some bready notes. Taste follows the nose with a nice crisp balance of malts, spices and mellow hops. Easy drinking/sessionable marzen. Perhaps some carmel on the end as it fades to earthy hops. Feel is middle of the road, but more active on the carbonation end, which was nice. Overall- A pretty impressive, balanced marzen. Liked the blend of spice, malts and subtle hops. A very solid effort and pretty true to the form from the German end. Nothing outstanding, but very drinkable and perfect for a fall evening. Will be hitting another soon-

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 15:37:14 | More by TheDinger

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.23/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big three fingers of head, copper colored body.
A nice grain and fresh bread smell.
Good malt flavor with just enough sweetness. Smooth all the way through with almost no bitter profile.
Almost a creamy texture, soft with low carbonation and medium body.
An excellent märzen.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 02:10:22 | More by Fatehunter

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at The Brass Rail in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours a clear golden amber in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that slowly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer with a slightly thinker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of toasted and caramel malts with a light hint of earthy hops.

T: The taste of this beer follows the smell, toasted malts with just a hint of caramel sweetness followed by some earthy hops that lend a light amount of bitterness in the finish.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy.

O: Easy to drink, sessionable, and enjoyable - pairs nicely with a burger and fries. Definitely one of the better German offerings in the style that is easy to find in the US.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 03:29:44 | More by dbrauneis

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a .5 liter bottle into a nonic tumbler- pours a clear, orange/copper color with two fingers of crisp, white head, decent retention, minimal lacing. Visible effervescence.

Smell is very nice- caramel, some very nice smooth roasted malt notes, and a little bit of yeast.

Taste is superior- up front is some grainy barley, followed by sweet caramel, then a well blended collage of light roasted malts, punctuated ever so slightly by some noble hop bitterness, which gives way to the caramel to finish.

Mouthfeel is excellent- medium body, moderate to full carbonation, SLIGHTLY chewy but really very refreshing and smooth. Exceptional marzen- definitely the best one that I have had thus far (i've been coming back to it all season and finally decided to review).

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 18:16:01 | More by Hopdaemon39

cruzbay

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams glass. Nice head with some lacing. Color is golden amber. The smell is a mix of the malty grains and floral hops. But the real reason we drink is the taste. This is the bench mark of all Oktoberfest beers. Fresh clean taste of the roasted malts leaving it slightly sweet. There is a light hop finish. This is a very drinkable beer, but hard to have just one. Great with a soft pretzel or bratwurst with kraut.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 12:06:42 | More by cruzbay

jibjib513

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type: 500ml bottle to Pint Glass.

Appearance (5.0): I know it's seems nuts to give a beer a 5.0 in any category but to me, the appearance of the Ayinger Oktoberfest is the prime example of what it should bee. Nice honey color, with solid carbonation. I suppose if there were anything to detract from the score it would be that it doesn't hold it's head very long but I'm not too concerned with that.

Smell (4.0): I almost went with a 4.5. The smell is vibrant and and earthy, without any gimmicks some of of the newer Oktoberfest beers are trying to pull.

Taste (4.5): Again, so close to perfection. To me, this IS Oktoberfest. I can only compare it to Paulaner's Oktoberfest in taste but I feel that Ayinger has really captured the essence of it all.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Nice and smooth. If anything, a tad heavy but shouldn't Oktoberfest beers be a little heavy?

Overall (4.5): As stated before I can only compare Ayinger's Oktoberfest to Paulaner's. Where Paulaners keeps their price-point down, and the taste is certainly one of my favorites, Ayinger seems to capture the essence of Oktoberfest. It's my favorite but I'm not sure I can afford more than two or three 500ml bottles a season.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 23:57:00 | More by jibjib513

gpogo

California

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Clear orange golden body with a white head that dissipates to a small foam cap.

A- Caramel, toffee, bready biscuity aroma. Light bitterness.

T- Sweet full flavor, toffee and caramel up front. Followed by a more bready taste. A nice light bitterness up front and in the aftertaste.

M- Medium body. Smooth, but crisp. Moderate carbonation.

D- Very drinkable. Goes great with food, or without. Quite thirst quenching.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 02:56:07 | More by gpogo

bmwats

Louisiana

3.55/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured form a 500 ml bottle into a mug.

A: Dark amber, light brown. Pours about a finger and a half, foamy, white head. Disintegrates quickly and unevenly. Very little in terms of lacing.

S: Butterscotch, molasses, and pecan, with light tones of milk chocolate.

T: Light but woody malt base. Hinting sweetness of that butterscotch from the nose.

M: Medium body, but full flavored. Woody aftertaste lingers throughout.

D: Goes down with little resistance.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Nice initial appearance including a nice head. Nose of sweet and nutty components. Light in body, but sweet and malty flavor. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 05:02:06 | More by bmwats

vkv822

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16.9oz : tulip

Very nice, clear, bright copper with a foamy, bubbly, off white head.

Lightly grassy, floral hops, faintly sweet, toffee, mostly biscuit.

Quite similar to the nose with the focus on toasty, biscuit malts, with a lightly sweet, toffee balance. Faint grassy, floral, Noble hops act as a light accent to the malt.

Medium body, with prickly, active carbonation.

A well done Marzen, well balanced, with a pleasant array of flavors, will still maintaining an easy drinking, refreshing quality.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 07:20:02 | More by vkv822

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P:  Crystal clear ruby copper body with a massive crown of creamy off-white froth.  Thin bubbly lacing along the edges. 

S:  Roasted sweet caramel, toffee, sweet dates, prunes, dry white grape, clove, cereal grains, banana phenol, all spice, plums soaked in spiced rum. Rich and luscious.  Once warmed orange bitterness becomes present. 

T/M:  Taste follows the nose with less fruit and a dominate malt base.  Rich roasted malt, usual spices and delicate hop bitterness.  Prickly carbonation in a medium sticky body.  Finish is sticky with a subtle dryness that lingers burnt toffee and smoldered cereal grains. 

O:  After exploring many Oktoberfest beers this year I can say this is one of the top I have tried. The body is not overly thick compared to the aroma but it packs great flavors that are nice and filling.  This is Oktoberfest that I will have every year. 

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 00:38:20 | More by Hopswagger

RyanLigeia

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A hazy burnt orange color with an average offwhite head. Small amount of visible carb.

Smells of very sweet malts and citrus.

Taste is similar to smell, sweet maltyness with some orange/citrus flavors. Candied sugars, like a caramel/toffee flavor underneath.

Mouthfeel is a little more watery/thin than I would have hoped. Very low carbonation.

Overall this isnt a bad beer by any means and the price is unbeatable. I think I paid around $3 for this one, WELL worth it.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 21:39:39 | More by RyanLigeia

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A very satisfying malty, slightly citrusy beer. As so many German beers are, the look (head and color) is superb. So easy to drink, so refreshing, and always consistent. This beer could be enjoyed, in the words of Usain Bolt, "all day, every day."

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 00:42:01 | More by Beer-A-Lot

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Copper color and a bounding white head. Looks tasty. 4.0

Musty Noble hops and toasty grains. Some fruit rot. Slightly sweet. Nice. 4.0

Rugged, yet sweet. Aged hops offer some bitterness. Toasty and semi-metallic. Quintessential German lager flavors. Burnt sugar, Noble hops, toasted grain, must, and rotting apple. A tried-and-true Marzen. 4.0

Burpy carb. The body is about right. It's decently drinkable. 3.5

Good ol' trusty Oktoberfest. It's a classic. I'm a fan. 4.0

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 12:43:57 | More by thecheapies

kojevergas

California

3.45/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

500 ml brown glass bottle with a very intriguing pressure cap (in terms of artwork) served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in Los Feliz, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high considering the brewery. Acquired at KnB liquor near San Diego.

Served straight from the refrigerator. Poured with average vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger head of light khaki-beige colour, nice cream, nice thickness, and good retention for the slightly above average ABV. Colour is a pale yellow-copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. A pretty typical Marzen.

Sm: Clean malts. Light caramelized character. Cream. No real yeast or alcohol notes. Hints of butterscotch, maybe even light nuts. Hopping is very background; little floral character if any. A little Marzen spice. Some biscuit. A mild strength pleasant aroma.

T: Crystal malt, pale malt, caramelized malt, butterscotch, very light vague floral hops (maybe saaz?), tinges of a honey-like sweetness, biscuit malt, and a tinge of cream. Simple yet well layered. Quite nicely balanced and built for the style; methinks it's one of the better beers in this oft-neglected style that I've had. Pretty tasty stuff. No yeast or alcohol comes through.

Mf: Smooth, wet, brilliantly buttery, and of very good thickness. Nice cream on the open. Suits the flavours quite well. Impressive.

Dr: Incredibly drinkable; that's what this whole style is designed for. I could quaff a litre of this at a bierfestival. Fairly priced as an import. I'd try it on draught. Another solid brew from Ayinger. Hides its above average ABV well. Delightful.

B-

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 06:58:51 | More by kojevergas

ThickNStout

Georgia

2.68/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

500mL from Sherlocks (Marietta, GA). 3.29. Served in a Wild Heaven snifter.

Pours briliant orange gold with two and a half fingers of pillowy white head. Mild lacing.

Subdued nose with wheatbread and mild spice.

Flavors of sweet malts, bread, slight raisin, and bitter lemon.

Light bodied with moderately high carbonation.

Not great. Perhaps there is something here for others but I poured most of mine & won't be buying anymore.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 22:45:10 | More by ThickNStout

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a light orange with a thick off-white head that dissipates slowly. There is no real lacing to speak of.

S-Malty, slightly spicy, with a hint of Noble hops.

T-Much like the nose as its much more malty than hoppy, as it should be. A little spice in the flavor which finishes with a nice slight bitterness. It tastes good but the flavor is a little faint, I think it could be fuller.

M-Thin but there is not a lot of carbonation.

D-This is an easy, refreshing Oktoberfest that you could drink all day long with no problems.

Overall, this is one of the best versions of the style I've had from Germany. I really enjoyed it even though I expected it to be a little more flavorful. I will definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 13:33:47 | More by thegodfather2701

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A quite clear amber colored ale. Sitting on top is a fluffy or saopy tall head, off white and fading.
Carbonation is gentile.

This being a Marzen/festbier the malts are dominate with a sweet doughy aroma. It also has a slight yeast aroma along with spicy hops.

Taste is malty, sweet and nutty. There are sutle hints of spicy and floral hops. Enough to balance out the malty sweetness.

the body is smooth and has a semi dry finish.

Quite good and very drinkable, a very good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 12:06:24 | More by micromaniac129