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Banded Oak Märzen

Colorado
United States
Banded Oak Märzen, Banded Oak Brewing
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
81
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Appearance:
5 / 6
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Description 

Banded Oak’s Märzen is brewed with rich German caramel malts and hopped assertively to provide a drinkable balance. This beer at 6.1-percent ABV celebrates the rye dryness of classic Märzens while shying away from the newer, sweeter Märzen styles.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.1%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
42º
Hops: 
Magnum, Tettnang
Malts: 
Pilsner, Munich, Caramunich III, Vienna, Rye
Judges Review 
Michael Bury's picture
Judges Rating:
81
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Banded Oak Märzen by Banded Oak Brewing​ is being evaluated as a traditional Oktoberfest/Märzen (2015 BJCP Category 6A). This marzen looks the part being amber in color with near brilliant clarity but with a scant, fleeting, ivory head.

The aroma is a mixture of both malt and hops which is a bit different than traditional Oktoberfests. Deeply toasted malt with bread crusts and a trace of caramel fights with the moderately-low herbal hops. It is cleanly fermentation with no esters but there’s a low amount of sulfur that lingers around.

The flavor is quite balanced due to offsetting moderate hop bitterness and medium toast, Maillard products, and a hint of caramel. Well fermented and attenuated with no off flavors. The finish is a bit too drying for the style with herbal hops lingering well into the aftertaste.  

Banded Oak’s Marzen is quite a tasty beer but misses the mark on style. With the hops being as forward as they are, the beer drinks more like an altbier than a marzen, which should demonstrate soft yet complex malt character. I’d also like to see more complexity in the malt presentation for a Marzen.

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