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.