Beer Review- Dundee Oktoberfest

I figured that since October upon us, it was time to review a Märzen. A good friend of mine recommended that I give Dundee Oktoberfest a try. I was a bit reluctant because I have not enjoyed any Dundee offerings. While they have the craft beer styles and packaging, I have never found their quality to be that great. Priced at $6.99 per six, I went ahead and took another gamble. 

Dundee Oktoberfest

Genessee Brewing Company- Rochester, NY      ABV: 5.5%

Pours a translucent copper orange with a two finger ivory head and lively carbonation. Nice head retention and spotty lacing. Aroma of bready malts, fruity esters, and cheap lager. Lighter side of medium bodied with average carbonation, but with a smooth mouth feel. This starts off with the traditional Munich and Vienna malt flavors of bread grains and caramel, but those flavors weaken mid palate to muted spicy hops. The beer finishes with faint vegetal and corny off flavors (which may be a result of DMS), and leaves a mild soapy bitterness at the back of the mouth.

With craft beer, I believe that you usually get what you pay for,  and this beer is a good example. I would skip this one and pay the extra few dollars for an Märzen (Oktoberfest) from Paulaner, Ayinger, Brooklyn, or Spaten. Am I a beer snob? Nah, I just have high standards.

Rating*: 6 out of 10

Recommended Food Pairing: German food, pork chops

Value:  average at $6.99 (considering the quality)

Beer Audience: non finicky Lager drinkers

Where To Buy:  Most grocery stores and retail beer stores. SEASONAL

* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)