210. SABMiller / Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing – Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest German-Style Märzen

It’s starting to get pretty difficult to find Oktoberfest beers for my Oktoberfest Challenge.  However, a trip to Friar Tuck after work netted a few new options.  I still need a few more, but I’ll worry about that later this week.  I was familiar with Leinenkugel’s, as it seems to be a brand some locals try when they’re looking for a microbrew.  I tried one of their beers once and wasn’t a fan, but I made an exception for this challenge.  The bottle says, “A perfect beer to celebrate the fall season. Featuring Munich, pale & caramel malts. With four specialty hops.”

It was extremely clear and was perfectly amber in color.  There was a slight head when I poured it, but that quickly feel to no head, leaving just a thin ring around the glass.  There was a very light malty caramel aroma to it as well.

The body was light, crisp, and very drinkable.  There was almost no flavor up front, with a little bit of caramel maltiness in the middle.  There caramel grew a little bit in the finish, along with a bit of a bready flavor.

The flavor and body of this beer was light enough that it would go with almost any food.  It would probably go best with a BBQ chicken breast – with a little caramel flavor, but a lightness to match it.  I think it would also be great with some brats or dogs on the grill at a football tailgate.

I normally prefer a more flavorful and fuller bodied beer, but if you’re looking for something very drinkable with just a little bit of flavor, this would be a good one.  It’s light enough that my wife would probably enjoy this one, but it had just enough flavor that it was very drinkable for me.  Overall, it’s got a light flavor that makes it a very drinkable Oktoberfest you could probably use to help convert your Miller Light and Bud Light friends.

My Rating:

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