Venn Fest

Venn Fest. Standard Beer That's Anything But Standard. 

5.5 % ABV, 30 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And here we have my first Oktoberfest beer of the season. No, wait, check that. First Märzen-style Oktoberfest, and it comes from Venn. They've been making this for years, but I've missed it every time. Happy to get a crowler to try it out tonight. 

Clear, deep amber hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: rich, sweet and toasty, caramel malt notes dominate, noble hops assist. 

In the mouth: Brief kiss of the hops up front, then malt takes over and rides it all the way through. Just enough sweet to delight the tongue, but well-balanced all the way. Crisp and clean, with that classic Märzen taste staying true til the end. Medium-bodied, with a long malty finish. 

Classic Märzen lager, thoroughly enjoyable. This one's taking me to Happy-town. 

September in a glass! Venn's take on a traditional German Märzen.

Malts: Vienna, Pilsner, Munich, CaraMunich II

Hops: Warrior (United States); Tettnanger, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh (Germany)

Yeast: German Lager