Back in Biz Märzen

Review Date 11/20/2021  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Imperial Oktoberfest   Brewery: Max Lager's   Country: USA   State: Georgia   $ Per OZ: $.44 (D)   ABV: 7.3%

We were going to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you see. It was a Thursday night in mid-November, and we were going to see our beloved New England Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. We arrived early enough to have dinner (and of course a few beers) prior to the game, and while there are plenty of new breweries we could have tried, I went with a classic: Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery.

Max Lager’s is Georgia’s oldest brewpub, having opened right around the same time I relocated to Georgia in 2001. Their brewer, John Robert’s, is renowned for his amazing beers. Since Max Lager’s is located about a mile and a half from the stadium, it was time for me to pay a return visit to an old friend on the Georgia beer scene.

The brewpub had only recently reopened from a lengthy pandemic closure, and in celebration, they were offering Back in Biz Märzen as one of the five brews on tap that night. I of course ordered one up to enjoy with our dinner of Firecracker Wings ($14, spicy and smoky) served with a tangy house slaw and Full Rack of Ribs ($24, fall off the bone tender and permeated with smoke flavor) with whipped potatoes and fries as our choice of sides. My son and I split the entrée and appetizer between us and were well full by the time we finished.

The beer, however, was the highlight of the visit. The beer featured toasty nutty malt in the nose and the palate, but it is in the latter where it really explodes with rich melanoidin goodness, almost doppelbock like in intensity. It really reminds me of a decoction mash doppel, right on into the gently sweet finish, and I very much enjoyed this brew.

At 7.3% alcohol by volume, it is strong for a Märzen, and I think I might lump it in with imperial Oktoberfests in style. I paid $7 for my pint, and I considered that price fair.

Max Lager’s, I’m glad you’re back in biz. I hope to see you more often, too.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??