Atom Smasher - Two Brothers Brewing Company

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Opened this bottle in early November, just know entering my notes... This was recommended by Terry at Vineyard Liquors (Plano, IL) on my Labor Day visit. I agreed - an 'Oktoberfest Style Lager aged in French Oak Foudres' sounded interesting...

12 oz bottle, dated 'Best By 12/1/12'. Opened & poured to a pilsner glass.

Label artwork looks different from photo above. It reads, in part: "A hefty, full-bodied lager like the Märzens of old, but aged in our oak foudres for complexity unmatched by the imported Oktoberfest beers of today. Just add Lederhosen." Alc/Vol 7.7%, 22.6 IBU

A: Very pretty reddish-copper tone, almost clear. A few wriggling bubble trails but not a ton of carbonation. Good head, a frothy ivory that tops off at about 1-finger high. Lace is a dappled patchwork of sticky foam and spotty flecks.

S: An expected malty aroma, a touch of brown sugar with toasted nuts. Lilting fruitiness (hard to discern - apple or pear?)

T: Tasty and full flavor of baked bread, caramel and nutty grains. Hints at holiday spice (cinnamon?) and a vaguely vanilla/woody finish do let on that this has been aged in oak. The 'fruitiness' here is definitely 'apple', with a red/tannic skin-like bite. A little mineral in that drier finish. Lots of subtleties.

M: Lovely smoothness and subtle alcohol warming (this *IS* an Oktoberfest approaching 8%, after all...). Carbonation is modest, creamy feel but a lasting 'tinny' feel, glightly gummy. Not as clean as I want in a Märzen.

O: Enjoyable beer, no doubt. I kinda wish I'd tried it a little fresher (September-mid October) as carbonation seemed a little underwhelming, but the flavors and feel were all good. Have tried a few from Two Brothers and generally like what I've had; I'd seek out this beer again!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 15:06:08 | More by msubulldog25

jmunsters

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ended up in Westlake, OH in mid-Oct 2012 and this was a recommendation to me from the local craft beer place, Fine Wine and Tobacco for "local seasonal beer".

A - Pours deep golden amber. Obvious from the pour this is not your typical Marzen
S - Sweet malt, maple syrup, bright oak, sweet yeast
T - This is not your typical Marzen. At. All. It's a malt forward, heavy lager with a sweet maple (I know it's oak but it tastes like maple) taste. This is amazing for the season, but an "Oktoberfest" this is not.
M - I love how this goes down. Smooth like a sweet bourbon. Full like an Autumn brown, but sweet. This typifies Autumn in the NE and NE/Midwest to me.
O - I love this beer. I really do. However, I am going to rate it as it's labeled and branded. If you're looking for a typical Oktoberfest, you will not enjoy this. If you're looking for something that reminds you of pumpkins, red leaves, and cool nights full of stars in the sky... You got it.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 21:49:00 | More by jmunsters

MattyG85

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. Bottle says best by 12/1/12.

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy copper amber orange with a lot of rising bubbles. Solid three fingers of off white head with good retention. Lacing is fairly light.

Smell: Bready and malt forward with hints of the barrel. Sweet toasted malts with hints of caramel, biscuit, toffee, and crackers. Hints of oak come through with a little bit of cherry and apple. Also some light cinnamon and nutmeg spice hints. Some grassy, earthy hops round out the smell. Solid aroma.

Taste: Like the nose hints, a malty Marzen with a interesting twist from the barrel. Sweet and toasty malts with good notes of biscuit, caramel, toffee, yeast, cracker, and apple. Some oak and wood with subtle notes of cherry and vanilla. Light taste of spice including cinnamon and nutmeg. Light hop presence in the background with some earthy hops. A solid and interesting taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Creamy, crisp, and pretty smooth. Fairly sweet to start, with a somewhat dry finish.

Overall: A pretty decent spin on the style. Nice caramel malt taste with a interesting mix of oak and spice.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 05:30:47 | More by MattyG85

gatornation

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle stamped BB 120112

A- pours a clear golden orange color with an off white 1 finger head nice fresh cap very little lacing

S- is interesting im picking up wine and aged oak with cinnamon and malt, other spices

T- sweet on the front with wood and and light white fruit tastes a touch of wine and a hint of nutmeg

M-sweet and woody a touch of heat a little wood

O- this is a unique marzen an imperial one at that the wood nuances are splendid i only bought a single but will buy a few more to further enjoy this one

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 20:32:16 | More by gatornation

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got my bottle courtesy of apocalypsezombie. Thanks, Tom!

Best by Nov 22, 2012. Love a brewery that gives you the what's what.

It pours a reddish gold with a 2 finger head of foam and there's ever so much lacing.

It smells bready, earthy, slightly sweet and slightly bitter with a hint of fruit.

The taste has an earthy flavour along with a balanced mild sweetness and bitterness. The bitter leans toward citrus, the sweet isn't noticed much until in and through the finish. Again, very earthy.

It's a bit strong for the style but still any easy drinker. I like.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 23:42:04 | More by Bitterbill

bsp77

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Dimpled Mug.

Appearance: Bright copper-orange without much head.

Smell: Cherry, caramel, oak and biscuit. Fairly sweet and boozy.

Taste: Sweet caramel and cherry upfront, with some biscuit notes. Finish has oak and light noble hops. Can taste the alcohol; distracting in this type of beer.

Feel: Moderate carbonation, medium boozy body, finish has some residual sweetness.

Overall: While the oak is a good idea, this is simply too sweet and boozy to be a really good Marzen.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 21:05:46 | More by bsp77

BB1313

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Best by 11/22/12. 12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a burnt orange, slight haze, ton of legs, small white head which fades quickly, decent lacing and retention. The aromas are very sweet. I'm picking up a ton of caramel malts. There's a rich breadiness blended with a touch of chocolate. The oak isn't exactly noticeable in the nose, but it's somewhat noticeable in the flavors. The flavors are bold, maybe even too bold for the style. Wow, this one has a strong sweetness to it. Lots of grains. The caramel aspects really dominate the flavors. The oak gives it a sweetness, almost giving it a sour quality. Pretty odd for the style, but I can dig it. The mouthfeel is great. Very spritzy and light for a bigger beer; full-bodied. The alcohol heat is there, but it's still pretty easy to drink.

This is an interesting take on the style. It's definitely unique. I've never had a lager aged on oak before. Not overly exciting, but it's worth experiencing.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 22:44:54 | More by BB1313

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Good amber color. Absent the foam and lacing that I normally like, but this strikes me as a no frills working man's beer. On those standards, this is a winner.

Smell: Nutmeg, cinnamon, and some oak. It reminds me of an oaked chardonnay in a way. Not what I expected.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Looks like a medium-bodied ale, but tastes a bit like a white wine (see oaked chardonnay). The spices make the mouthfeel extraordinary crisp with a great bite.

Overall Drinkability: Two Brothers knocks another one out of the park.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 04:50:00 | More by tjsdomer2

sweethome

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage - bottle pour in to belgian tulip glass.

Pour is medium amber - light head, decent lacing. Nose is sweet, a hint of sour, limited.

Carmel malt entry. Medium mouthfeel. A bit of oak. Tastes more like an ale than lager - has a sweetness that suggests ale yeast. Full flavors that suggest marzen, but the oak conditioning gives a unique spin. Nice beer. Different than an Octoberfest - but dances with the style. Flavorful, satisfying, unique....I like it.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 23:40:47 | More by sweethome

timc100

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Red orange dark amber with white foamy head
S: Like fall - toasty caramel malts - bread/yeast
T: Follows the nose well - has maintained traditional Oktoberfest taste nicely
M: Soft carbonation, good medium body
O: A great Oktoberfest with one of the best mouthfeels of it's style

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 17:47:51 | More by timc100

womencantsail

California

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Thorpe for this one.

The pour is a slightly cloudy amber color with a thin white head. A bit of oak and grass to it. Not really much aroma to it overall, maybe a little bit of malty sweetness. A very faint grass flavor with a little bread. A little bit of lemon zest and tartness. Really an odd beer. Light bodied with medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 07:29:48 | More by womencantsail

gbbass16

Missouri

3.1/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to TheArkhamMink for the bottles!

Pours a pretty dul yellowish brown. Not much on the nose except for some fruit (apple?). Taste there isn't much going on here except for a sourness at the end that probably shouldn't be here (umm Oktoberfest beer?). Mouthfeel is pretty normal, not too thin tough. Hate to give bad reviews but this is overall a pretty avg beer and not something I would seek out again. Just like the previous review, I am having trouble figuring out how long this was in oak, cause it sure isn't there in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 23:51:15 | More by gbbass16

dankster

Colorado

2.53/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

thanks to jamie for this bomber.

A- dark copper red color with big head after slow pour into 32 oz mug.

S-funky cant put my finger on it but has some big german malts and hops. the oak age has some wood notes

T- also slightly funky. not original style oktoberfest by any means. Oak, licorish and dark sugar come big on this one.

M- tacky and bold. not bad but not that good.

O- My first two bros beer. Not a big fan of this one sorry. Much better oktoberfest beers out there. The oak on this one is lost IMO. Would like to try more of there offerings.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 15:55:41 | More by dankster

Phelps

Arizona

3.1/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle sent by Augustiner719, into my Lost Abbey stemware.

Hazy sinopia. A beautiful, shimmering hue. One finger of dense khaki head lasts just a few seconds, but the leftover ring is big and deposits the occasional spot of lace.

There’s a good amount of green apple in the nose, which makes me think acetaldehyde. It’s not completely distracting, but does cover up the other aromas (biscuits, corn, a hint of vinous oak). Gives the beer an almost apple cider quality.

The flavor is green apple-free, though now I’m getting occasional metallic notes. Toasted sourdough, caramel, corn and a touch of red apple mix with a grainy alcohol flavor. It’s fairly sweet for an octoberfest, and definitely lacking the caramel/toast complexity the style calls for. Oak-aging adds some vinous complexity, but I’m not sure it works with the other flavors.

Light, prickly carb in a nicely silky medium body. Alcohol is impressively hidden; bitterness balances the sweet flavors mid-palate, then slowly take over during the long finish.

I have to admit I’m a little let down by this one. Atom Smasher is like a community play — a lot of flavors competing for top billing, but none of them filling the role they were given with much skill.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 02:30:11 | More by Phelps

BStalf21

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not sure if this counts as an Oktoberfest beer cause if it does it definitely doesn't taste like a traditional Oktoberfest beer to me. But, I love brewers that experiment and make a beer that is their own. Use a style as a base and make a good beer off of that foundation. This has a much more fruity taste and smell to it then any other representation of the style I've had. But it's pleasant and easy to drink. I recommend it if you like different beer and aren't just going for that traditional taste of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 04:45:08 | More by BStalf21

scruffwhor

Illinois

2.25/5  rDev -38.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Picked up a mixed case at Costco, which came with a sixer of Atom Smasher.

Good bubbling, head after the pour, and head. Color is a hazey copper. Looks like a good Oktoberfest bier to me.

Sour mashed toasted grains and sour grapes. Thats it, not a very appealing smell to me.

Toasted sour bread with grapes make up teh taste. No oak or somewhat typical Oktoberfest flaors at all. I hop this is just a bad batch, if not this is the sourest interpretation of an Oktoberfest/Marzen I've ever had. I don't care for this beer at all and would bever recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 21:18:38 | More by scruffwhor

salvo

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours beautiful crystal clear brown/orange with a half inch of crackling head that begins dissipating quickly. Darker than many Marzens, but otherwise very true to style. Oak foundres offer a nice hint of wood and a level of complexity absent from run-of-the-mill festival beer. Very nicely executed to be very much of the style with some subtle gestures that make this a Two Brothers beer.

I think this is a better offering than some reviews I've read, and there may be a bad batch out there judging from some of the comments. Mine was in perfectly good shape and I know someone who might really enjoy one of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 02:53:51 | More by salvo

mystikyle71

Indiana

3.05/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz from their new J Series version of this beer.

A: Darker amber. Potentially darker than most okto's as a result of the foudre aging.

S: I came in with high hopes here. I have loved their other J Series beers and the slightly oaked tinges Resistance and Long Haul exhibit, but this smells like a pretty standard okto. Kinda bland. Was hoping for a little more oak influence.

T: Pretty standard profile for a marzen. Maybe a bit more malt, but again left me wanting more complexity considering the foudres.

M: I enjoyed the mouthfeel. Seemed to have good body, but still finished clean.

O: This beer is alright. A little let down, but also have had better okto's.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 00:35:45 | More by mystikyle71

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Trying the Atom Smasher tonight....and yikes....after the first sip....can't say I am a fan. The appearance is blah...the color is a hazy tan/light brown. There is virtually no head, after swirling the glass you get a white head that dissapates quickly. The smell is bread, sour dough, almost sour mash smell. The taste is very tart almost like drinking liquid sour dough bread. The mouthfeel is tough...high ABV masked by bready tart soury mash taste. Overall this is not a good beer....I'm wondering/hoping this is a bad bottle..or batch. Typically Two Brothers is a solid brewery this one in my mind missed the mark.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 23:50:09 | More by WoodBrew

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked this up at Crown Liquor #19 in Caramel, Indiana. Well, Amyliz4 picked this up. Served in a snifter.

Pours a medium copper color with a thin head that recedes quickly. Some spotty lacing. The nose brings forward plenty of bread and a light bit of caramel. Faint hops. The flavor is okay, having too much of a grain character with slight tannins and a mild tartness. Light body with bread crust and modest carbonation. Decent enough, but not something I would revisit.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 20:55:32 | More by Thorpe429

emerge077

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012: Revisited Atom Smasher on tap, and it was as good as it was 2 years ago. Crisp and clean with some nutty malt and mild dry oak character. The infection last year seemed to be isolated to a few bottled batches.

2011:
2.25/5 rDev -36.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

BBD: 12/24/11 & 12/25/11 = both infected.

Tried 3 bottles so far, the first was great and seemed to have even more oak character than last year. A few weeks later, (today) I try two separate bottles that were both infected, and sour as spoiled orange juice. Each bottle had a different BBD: 12/24/11, 12/25/11, and different strings of numbers on the bottom of the bottle. Going to avoid buying any more of the new 12 oz. bottles this year... buyer beware, as these two batches were infected.

09-04-2010 A-/4.05
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber from Before You Go, $6.99.

Coppery red orange, hazy in the light. Short cap of foam, it doesn't last all that long, but is rekindled by a second pour.

The bottle has a grainy, sweet malt aroma, but it's hard to pull out much more until it warms. Sweet sticky caramel comes out later, with a slight hint of alcohol otherwise undetected in the flavor.

Oak is well integrated, there's a caramel apple flavor that's big, with a very mild bitterness in the dry, woody aftertaste. A light toasty malt sweetness comes through also, along with a general breadiness. Easy and light carbonation, still a traditional Oktoberfest in my mind, with a unique twist. The oak character is noticeable, but doesn't dominate. Enjoyed trying this, and I hope to see more oak-aged beers from 2 Bros. in the future.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 00:03:10 | More by emerge077

steveh

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

7.7? Big Oktoberfest. Best by 1/7/12 on the label. "...aged in our oak foudres for complexity..." Someone just posted that all it would take for an Oktoberfest to crack a high average all it would need to do is be aged in oak. Here you have it.

A -- Clear, orange-amber with a very dense, light tan head. Become hazy with the last pour.

S -- Bready malt, spicy hops, vaguest oak.

T -- Sort of winy and bready malts up front, actually rather fleeting in flavor. Some spicy hops in the finish and breadiness in that aftertaste. Maybe the vaguest hint of oak with that winyness, but only a touch of woody character. It's okay, just sort of thin. After the beer warmed a little the winy character became more distracting for what is supposed to be a clean, malty beer. Had to cut some points.

M -- Body is light-medium with a soft mouthfeel -- even a touch of creaminess.

O -- The 7.7 is well hidden in both flavor and body. Overall impressions are pretty lackluster. I had some high hopes for this from the small local, but it's nothing really special. As pointed out above, the winy character of this beer isn't true Oktoberfest in style and just a little distracting. If this was labeled an Amber Ale the characters wouldn't be off.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 21:20:08 | More by steveh

glassbrass440

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Two Brothers Atom Smasher:

Aroma: Light on the aroma. I get oak, and caramel sweetness.

Appearance: Murky orange. Head pours slightly off white and retreats quickly to the sides.

Taste: Some traditional Oktoberfest flavors are balanced by the oak. Not convinced the style is at its strongest from oak barrels but it’s certainly unique. The oak keeps it from becoming too overpowering much like in a drier chardonnay. The ABV of 7.7% is a surprise: tastes not a molecule over 5%.

Palate: moderately carbonated and full bodied. A bit oily with a short finish.

Overall: Not a traditional Oktoberfest, but interesting. I just wish the aromas and flavors played out a bit stronger.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 22:06:33 | More by glassbrass440

KDawg

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

this was from draft. poured a nice dark copper color with good a good and foamy head.

Nose was pretty good, but dominated by the oak tones on the beer. A more oaked atom smasher on the nose than I remember from last year. This also had tones of malts, blood oranges, and spice tones as well.

Solid medium feel but with tones that are still fairly oak dominated. More oranges and malts, but behind some oak tones

This was good, but I remembered last year's to be better than this. It just wasn't fully working for me and I'm glad I had it off tap rather than paying for a 6 pack

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 02:13:28 | More by KDawg

Treebs

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a cervoise goblet.

A: Pours a very hazy dark amber with some lighter hues where the light hits around the edges. Off white head that dissipates into nothing.

S: Malty with a little musty yeast smell. Dull orange zest.

T: Taste follows the nose. Toasted malts with some dull zest. Pretty typical Marzen flavors.

M: Clean. Little dry finish. Medium bodied.

O: Not my favorite of the style. It was pretty average across the board.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 13:15:13 | More by Treebs