The next Oktoberfest brew we are going to look at is the Flying Dog Dogtoberfest. I have a hit or miss history with this brewery as they have made some really good beers and others I cannot stand. Let’s see how their take on the Märzen holds up. Coming directly from their site,
“Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients, this quintessential Marzen offers malty flavors of caramel and graham cracker sweetness with a finish more crisp and clean than you will be after a few days at d’Wiesn”.
Appearance: One thing you cannot say about any Flying Dog beer is that the label isn’t eye catching. The Dogtoberfest is no different, with two burly drunk men and an odd looking pooch this is another festive beer. Surprising that they chose yellow instead of orange, but still it looks great.
Aroma: The aroma smells like most Marzen style beers with malt in the front but this one has a little bit of a toffee in there too. Not too powerful but you do get some good notes in there.
Taste: The taste is interesting because all the typical caramel and malts are there but there is a subtle spiciness almost like a cinnamon graham cracker. Similar to the aroma its not too powerful but it is complex with the spicy and sweet balance.
Experience: This is a fuller bodied Oktoberfest with a bigger mouth feel. The finish is surprisingly dry which is not my favorite, but still I like the way this beer starts. After one bottle is doesn’t sit too heavy, which is always a good thing.
Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I chose All Walls Must Fall. This is a tech-noir tactical game set in a futuristic Berlin, where the Cold War never ended. There are a lot of tense moments in this game and you need a beer with plenty of complex flavor to complement what is happening on-screen. Grab a six pack and enjoy.
