Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Harriet's Marzen German-style amber lager / Oktoberfest

Last year, around this time, Harriet Brewing Company debuted the RauchFest, a smoked version of a German Oktoberfest/marzen lager. This year, they also let out a small amount of it to on-premise accounts, and sold it at the taproom, as well as this last Saturday's RauchFest celebration. I'm taking notes at the tail-end of our one and only keg.


Harriet's Marzen/Oktoberfest.

Clear, crisp, autumnal amber appearance, slim, creamy white head.

Aroma: herbal, vegetal, malty, and just this side of sweet.

Taste: clean, smooth, malty, and delicious. Lots of rich amber lager flavor, very mellow, mild, and easy off the tongue. Medium bodied, exceptional consumability.
Drinks like a dream. No fuss, no muss. Is what it is. Sweet in the middle, dry in the end. Virtually no hops perceived, very minor bitterness, just enough to keep the sweetness at bay.

Classic marzen from Harriet. A pity they made so little. Next time, guys, next time go long and large with this one, long and large.

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