Beer Stats:

Packaging: 12 oz. can

BJCP Style: German Marzen

ABV: 5.3%

Hops Variety: Tettnang

Malts Variety:  Munich Malt

Brewery:  Jekyll Brewing – Alpharetta, GA

Beer Connoisseur Rating:  None

LUDB Notes:

• Bitterness Level: None
• Drinkability:
  • Would I purchase again? No
  • Would I stock it? No
• Comments/Characteristics: Thin Marzen with earthy, herbal notes and flat affect.  No bitterness. 

Have you ever had a beer that was not bad, but just didn’t meet your expectations?  My run through this fall’s Oktoberfest beer offerings has yielded some wonderful beers, nice surprises and few disappointments.  Jekyll Brewing’s Seven Bridges Oktoberfest beer landed in the “didn’t meet expectations” category.  It was one of the last ones that I tried, which probably lent itself to disappointment because I have had so many great beers before it.  I have yet to try anything else from Jekyll Brewing, so I won’t let it color my expectations for anything else I try.  So why was it a bit of a disappointment?

Seven Bridges Oktoberfest pours a slightly hazy, pale amber color with a fizzy white head.  It has medium carbonation and head retention is medium length, as well.  It looks pale and thin for a Marzen style, but I’ve had some similar ones that were quite good.  The malt base gives a bready, light toast aroma and the Tettnang hops provides some herbal notes.  What jumped out at me was a funky/earthy/grassy note. It reminded me of a similar aroma in Atlanta Brewing Co.’s Hoplanta.  I have not experienced that with any other beers with Tettnang hops; however, they have all been combined with something else, like Hallertauer hops.  Tastes were somewhat benign; medium sweet, bready, slightly toasty and, maybe, slight herbal note. Bitterness was none existent.   The finish flat – very little carbonation, soft and short.

Bottom line:  Jekyll Seven Bridges Oktoberfest is a drinkable; but uninspiring beer.  I really hate to say that because I know the brewery worked hard on it.  Don’t get me wrong, it is certainly not a bad beer.  It has its fans and would do fine with guests at your gathering.  It would be challenged, however, if competing against some other beers, like Samuel Adams Octoberfest, Ayinger Oktober-Marzen, and Victory Festbier, for example.  I do look forward to trying some of Jekyll Brewing’s other offerings, to find out what they are best at.  Most breweries tend to have a niche they fit into better than others.  Few do it all well.  Prost!

Thank you for reading and until next time…Let Us Drink Beer!