Round 2, Bout 6 of Master of Marzen 2020 sees Aeronaut Brewing (MA) take on New Realm Brewing (GA).
This is my first time checking out either brewery, so I’m really excited to see how it goes.
Packaging Design
Two very different directions on the can design here. Aeronaut has opted for the colors and shapes of fall, with orange leaves on a yellow can.
New Realm went with a large keg in front of the traditional Oktoberfest diagonal, blue and white check.
I have to give this one to New Realm’s Bavarian Prince for executing on the traditional Oktoberfest motif. Running total: Aeronaut 0-1 New Realm.
Aroma
Aeronaut’s Oktoberfest offers a bright, malty, and sweet aroma. It’s a tad bready, but in a way that really compliments the toasted malts.
New Realm’s Bavarian Prince offers a thinner aroma. It’s definitely malty, but not as strong overall as its competitor.
This one goes to Aeronaut. Running total: Aeronaut 1-1 New Realm.
Flavor
Aeronaut offers a fairly mild flavor that is punctuated by a touch of malts on the back end. A very slight sweetness retains into the aftertaste, eventually coupling with a tempered and enjoyable bitterness. A mild, but complex experience.
New Realm is also a bit on the light side. It does offer a touch of maltiness and a mild bitterness, but the depth is a little lacking. That said, it’s definitely an incredibly easy to drink brew.
A slight edge to Aeronaut here. Running total: Aeronaut 2-1 New Realm.
Body
On mouthfeel, these are both fairly similar brews. Light and thin-bodied, they’re crisp easy drinkers. Carbonation is also fairly comparable between the two.
Both built an OK head and maintained a ring of foam about halfway down the glass. But there’s a significant separation when it comes to lacing. As you can see above, Aeronaut laced much more significantly that New Realm
Given lacing is the only major differentiator between the two, body also goes to Aeronaut. Running total: Aeronaut 3-1 New Realm.
People’s Choice
As in last year’s tournament, my Instagram followers have the opportunity to shape the decisions of each bout. In the 24 hours directly preceding each bout, a poll is placed on my Instagram story. Whoever has the most votes when the poll closes, takes this fifth criteria. So how did it shape up?
This one went down to the wire, but New Realm snuck ahead. Running total: Aeronaut 3-2 New Realm.
Results
A tremendously competitive bout sees Aeronaut squeak through to Round 3 where they will meet Eight Bridges.
Be sure to check back regularly and to follow me on Instagram for your latest updates and opportunity to vote on each bout throughout the tournament. Until next time, cheers y’all!
Sgt. Suds 
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