Motorworks Oktoberfest by Motorworks Brewing is a Marzen and is being evaluated as a Marzen (category 6A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Marzens are known for being rich, malty lagers with the malt character focused on bready and toasty flavors.
This Marzen pours amber in color with a small cream-colored head and excellent clarity. The aroma is moderately toasty and bready malt with a light herbal hop character, and a clean lager profile lacking esters. The flavor is similarly toasty but with a light grainy aspect. This finish is moderately bittered with a light toasty malt flavor.
While the toasty malt flavor is to style, this example lacks the malt complexity compared with more traditional Marzens from Bavaria. The bitterness is on the high side, which seems to disrupt what should be a smooth, malty finish. This is a pleasant, well-made amber lager but lacks a little authenticity compared to its German counterparts.