Try?
You know, I really wanted to like Heiner Brau Maerzen. I know, I know, when you read those fatal words, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the review. But it's true. I picked up a six-pack of this year round brew from Covington, Louisiana's Heiner Brau microbrewery at a Winn-Dixie supermarket in Biloxi, Mississippi.
And, always on the lookout for the local stuff, I figured I'd scored. It wasn't just the Louisiana connection that had my hopes high, though. Oh no. The German theme of the brewery was equally attractive. The bottle was brightly festooned with a Bavarian-inspired blue and white checkered flag, as well as a very Teutonic looking crest of arms.
Then too, I love Maerzen beers, more commonly know in the Unites States as Oktoberfest beer. These beers are deep amber to coppery orange in color with a pronounced maltiness and a toasty, nutty character. Here's how the brewery describes it on their website:
Maerzen - It means "March" in German. Monks used to call it "Das Fluessige Brot," or "Liquid Bread." Maerzen is a unique, fresh, and partially filtered dark brown, Bavarian lager that has a malty “bread taste” flavor. It is well balanced with a fresh hop finish.
Let's see what we think, shall we?
Heiner Brau Maerzen pours to a deep copper color with a light creamy head formation and a (sadly) tart vinegary nose. Taking a sip, I can just for a moment get some nutty, lightly chocolaty, toasty malt flavor that I want in a Maerzen-style beer, before the vinegar sourness takes over and dominates into the finish. Ruining the total beer experience, of course.
Obviously, my samples were infected, all six bottles sharing the same sour vinegar character. How does this happen? On the bottling line, either because of improper sanitation, or because of capping issues (Heiner Brau uses twist-offs). In either case bacteria infects the brew and creates acetic acid, turning it sour.
Getting bad beer is always a disappointment. Paying $9.49 a six-pack for it didn't make the experience any more easy to swallow.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler
