Oktoberfest is a time for celebration complete with German oompah bands, steins, and attractive women toting whole handfuls of overflowing Seidels to the thirsty masses.  The tradition of Oktoberfest started in the days before refrigeration and pasteurization, which left the beer vulnerable to bacterial infections.  It was brewed in March (Märzen ) while the weather was still cold out and then kept in algid storage until September.  This high gravity beer was dubbed “Märzenbier.”   What’s better than a huge party to celebrate your beer coming out of storage?

Florida Beer Company out of Melbourne has their rendition of the Märzenbier style called “Conchtoberfest”.  It is packaged in an awesome sea glass blue bottle. The conch artwork on the label and blue glass brings the essence of the beach right to your hand.

Appearance:  It is being served chilled in my Guinness logoed US tumbler.  It pours a crystal clear ocher color with a one finger, off-white head.  The hue is reminiscent of a dewy Florida sunset off the Gulf coast.

Smell:  There are nice toasty malts with a mix of salted caramel and some earthy hops in the background.  The nose is sweet and potent in line with the true Märzen style.

Taste:  It is malt forward but the caramel blends with a touch of biscuit flavor.   The finish sticks long and sonorous with an alcohol twang.  It remains easy drinking to the end.

Conchtoberfest proves to be a worthy Märzen and just in time for the fall months. It can be found in very limited quantities at the ABC on Newberry road in Gainesville.

Beer blogger Adam Shugan is store manager at our Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, store