HACKER-PSCHORR MARZEN-OKTOBERFEST

Ah, you know the end of (northern hemisphere) summer is on the horizon when Hacker-Pschorr releases its Marzen-Oktoberfest bier.

These are stronger than normal, at 5.8%, because they've been cold-cellared since the end of the brewing season in March (hence the Marzen bit on the label).

Beautiful, rich colour with hardly any bitterness until a delicious trace of it surprises you on the aftertaste. Instead it smells of toast, tastes as richly complex and breadie as it looks (a compliment, if you've ever had Bavarian bread).

The puzzle is the lack of bitterness, and it almost tastes flat. Any fizz evaporates in a hurry.

The IPA crowd might prefer it to be more bitter, but it's like drinking a loaf of multi-grain bread with butter. 

6/10