Neustadt Marvin the Märzen (5.2%)
First off, can we give the brewery kudos for the name of this beer, please? If you grew up watching Bugs Bunny, like I did, then you must have fond memories of Marvin the Martian, and that Neustadt were able to evoke those memories while not straying too close to the intellectual property theft line is laudable to say the least. So full points for the moniker of this Märzen.
Now, on to the beer. Being described specifically as a Märzen, it has me expecting something a bit darker and earthier from what I have tasted so far on this Oktoberfest expedition – more Old School Oktoberfest beer than New – so let’s see if it lives up to the promise.
Clear copper coloured, its nose is indeed rustic and toasty, minus the honey malt notes of the modern Oktoberfest style, yet not quite as earthy and dry as I would expect a classic example of the style to be. Notes of toasted grain mix with well-cooked caramel, a hint of kasha, and a slight whiff of dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, which manifests itself in a suggestion of cooked green vegetables. It’s not enough to greatly detract from the aroma, but it does grow more prominent as the beer warms.
The flavour strides much more closely alongside that of a classic Märzen, although not without its hiccups along the way. The front end is moderately sweet and toffee-ish, with a slight spiciness, while the mid-palate adds a bit of orange zest, notes of malted and toasted grain, a punchier spiciness, and a hint of smoke alongside a notably earthy character. The finish dries nicely, but in so doing reveals more of the beer’s earthy, vegetal side than I care to experience.
Beers of this style and strength are meant to be beers that you want to drink in multiples, and I’m afraid that while I do enjoy the aroma and front to mid-palate of Marvin, the finish doesn’t exactly have me grabbing my glass for another gulp, particularly after it warms up a bit. I will still stand by Neustadt Springs for their ales, particularly the delightful 10W30, but sadly I find this autumnal offering to be a bit lacking.
73 ($3.45/473 ml)