Beer Review: Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen

Price: $2.69 for 17 oz (plus bottle deposit)
Brewery:Paulaner Brauegri, Munich, Germany
Style: Oktoberfest Marzen
ABV: 5.8%
Color: Clear, golden, dark yellow.
Aroma: Slight hops, sweet, malty, citrus (not hops) aroma
Body: light
Stomach Aspect: Not much. I mean, done with the pint and thinking I could down a couple more.
Head: Poured very nice to a 1/2" thick. Creamy, white to off white in color, "loose" in the density aspect.
Head Retention: Good. The brew leaves head from the last pull.
Taste: very little sweet flavor on the front of the tongue, while not much flavor on the middle of the tongue. The flavor in the middle is a malty texture, but a bit grainy flavor. At the end of the tongue the brew quickly disappears. Almost no hops or hop flavor upon swallowing.
Conclusion: While the first thing you notice about this brew is the aroma. This is probably the best part of the brew. The fruity, sweet, malty, and yet citrus aroma is very nice it does put your nose on the defense. Taking a pull from the brew and you are not presented with much flavor. Moving the brew over your tongue, you're still not presented with much flavor. It's almost like your brain is waiting for the flavor to show up. But it really never shows. The fruity flavor (probably from the Malt and Yeast) you get about mid-tongue is nice, but it quickly dissolves. The brew finishes clean and very smooth which is nice, and the balance of sweetness and aroma does hide the 5.8% ABV, you can't taste any alcohol in this brew. But there is a definite alcohol aspect to the brew. Overall this isn't a bad brew, but I must say I was a bit fooled by the label having Oktoberfest in it. When I hear or read Oktoberfest I immediately think big flavor, full, seasonal brews. But I think this brew could use some more body, maybe move up from light to medium, and just a hint (not much) of the hops. But maybe that's my Americanized version of beer. Don't get me wrong, this is a pleasant brew, just one that may catch you off you guard.
Public Aspect: I don't think many people are going to try this brew in the "why not" area. Being American and hearing Oktoberfest we immediately think big beer. Some people are also shy of the Marzen aspects. However, this brew does have enough (just enough) flavor to be good in hot weather. This isn't something I would want in cold weather BBQ, which is what we have here in Oregon. I really don't imagine people trying to take your beer if you show up with some of these. I really think people will be put off by the sweetness of the beer.

Beer Review: Chehalem Mountain IPA

Price: $3.69 for 22 oz (plus bottle deposit)
Brewery:Golden Valley Brewery, McMinnville, OR
Style: American IPA
ABV: NA
Color: Clear, dark gold
Aroma:Hoppy
Body: Light, but present.
Stomach Aspect: None. I've drank the whole 22oz, and there is no filling aspect.
Head: Poured nicely, but fades within 1-2 minutes.
Head Retention: Good. Head leaves a ring from previous pull.
Taste: little sweetness on the tip of the tongue, not much taste in the mid area of the tongue. Most flavor comes from back of tongue where the hop bitterness is present. Swallow the drink and the hop aroma is more present. The finish is crisp, clean, and refreshing.
Conclusion: The brew is very pretty in color and clarity. The head is nice as well, something you don't see in brews. Get the brew within smelling range of your nose and you instantly smell hops. Take a drink of the brew and there is a little sweetness at the tip of your tongue from the Malt, but move the brew to the middle of the tongue and flavor fades. Move the brew to the back of the tongue and flavor reappears, but not with Malt flavor, but with Hop flavor. Swallowing the brew produces a very prominent hop aroma that your palate records in the grey area. Overall, this is not a bad brew, but to be honest it's like all the other IPA's. Gold in color, white minimal head, hop aroma, and hop flavor. Now, as some of you know I am not a big fan of IPA's because I feel that the brewer's of these recipes get caught in the "hoppiness" aspect of the recipe and forget that you can add other items to enhance the hop flavor. Which is what make most IPA's cookie cutter brews.
Public Aspect: As you may or may not know the Northwest is an IPA mecca. When people think beer in the Northwest they think IPA. Bring this to a BBQ and you might as well be bringing a puppy with you. People will want to taste it just because the bottle says IPA on it. Share the brew with friends, introduce them to a new brewery, to a new IPA recipe. But when the event's done, people may just remember that you brought another IPA, and not actually remember the name of the brew you brought.

Beer Review: St. Peter's Cream Stout

Price: $3.89 for 16.9 oz (plus bottle deposit)
Brewery:St. Peter's Brewery, St. Peter's Hall, Nr. Bungay, Suffolk, U.K.
Style: Cream Stout
ABV: NA (but I can taste the Alcohol at the finish of the beer, I would guess 7-9%)
Color: Black, Opaque
Aroma:Roasted Barley, hops, sweet (I think of candy) aroma. This brew has a wonderful aroma.
Body: Medium to Heavy.
Stomach Aspect: Typical Stout, dinner in a bottle.
Head: Poured wonderful from the bottle, nice tan color with good substance/thickness.
Head Retention: Excellent, the head leaves a full coating from the previous pull. Even 18oz the head is still leaving coating.
Taste: Chocolate flavor, Roasted Barley, sweet flavor (not sure what from), hops, Malty finish. Move the glass to your nose and a good aroma hits you. Take your first pull and you notice the sweetness from the beer, but move the brew to the middle range of the tongue and you get a nice, bitterness from the Roasted Barley, swallow the brew and you get the slightest hint of hop bitterness.
Conclusion: This is my first time having this Stout as I must admit I was a bit shy when I purchased it. I'm not a fan of Cream Stouts (i.e. Guinness) because they usually lack the "bite" that Stouts have. The aroma of the Hops (Challenger and Fuggle) make a great combination with the Roasted Barley, I think English Crystal Malt, and the other Malts that I can not identify. Take a pull from the glass and whamo! Your taste buds on the front of your tongue come alive with sweet flavors (still not sure where they're coming from), the body of the brew instantly coats your tongue and you know you've tackled a heavy brew. Moving the brew to the middle of the tongue and the oh so wonderful flavor of the Roasted Malt introduces itself and you thank yourself for tasting the Stout. As you enjoy the Malt bitterness, move the brew to the back of the tongue where the Challenger hops say "Hi" with their pleaseant, but noticeable bitterness. Swallow the brew and that's when you get the aroma from the Fuggles'. All of this is finished with a nice Malty aspect that your whole mouth enjoys. This brew is better than Guinness in my opinion. St. Peter's has more malt flavor, more personality, better hop flavor, and the cream aspect isn't as sweet as most (including Guinness). I say good job ol Chap, Top Notch, Bob's your Uncle to the brewers at St. Peters Brewery. It's middle of July here in Oregon, and I wish I had another pint of St. Peter's.
Public Aspect: Well, the bottle as you can see is an olive green, the label's are simple, and to the point. Most people will think "Oh, boring beer, it's a Stout, who care's?" That's fine, it just means more for you to enjoy and giggle as the high alcohol content roasts your cheeks. If people attending the gig you're at aren't Stout drinkers, they probably won't like it, but if another Stout/Porter drinker nuzzles up to you, share the wealth, they won't be let down.