Round 2, Bout 10 of the 2020 Master of Marzen sees Big Storm (FL) battle Sun King (IN).
I’ve tried a few Big Storm brews in recent months, as they’ve become available in San Antonio. This will be my first time trying a Sun King brew. Let’s get things going.
Packaging Design
Two very different takes on can design here.
Big Storm have opted for a predominantly fall-brown can with the diagonal checks as typical in Oktoberfest design, and a image of three steins coming together.
Sun King have opted for a primarily Blue on Blue can, with striking orange and white don’t. It’s a nice, clean, minimalist design.
While in a sucker for clean design, I’m giving this one to Big Storm for their inclusion of more typical Oktoberfest iconography. Running total: Big Storm 1-0 Sun King.
Aroma
Big Storm’s Oktoberfest offers a powerful, earthy malt aroma. It’s hue gives a pretty good indication of the aroma which is toasted and deep.
Sun Kong’s Oktoberfest is a bit lighter visually, which foreshadows a lighter, sweeter aroma. It also has quite a bit of malt in it.
I’m giving a slight edge to Sun King on this one. Running total: Big Storm 1-1 Sun King.
Flavor
Big Storm’s brew is a deep brew with a mix of toasted malts and earthy bitterness available throughout. I’m a little surprised by the flatness of this flavor, given how dark the brew is. It just seems to be missing a little something to round it out. By no means a bad brew, it’s very drinkable. I just wish it offered a little more.
Conversely, Sun King’s flavor is light, malty and slightly sweet. It opens a little milder, but quickly builds a tasty flavor profile with the addition of the sweetness to accentuate the malts on the back end. It builds a mild, malty aftertaste which is very nice.
This point also goes to Sun King. Running total: Big Storm 1-2 Sun King.
Body
On mouthfeel, the Big Storm brew is mid-bodied and smooth. It offers a really consistent experience, making for a highly drinkable brew.
Sun King is a lighter, thinner experience, but it really offers more flavor despite its comparably lower weight. It’s also incredibly drinkable and enjoyable.
As you can see, neither brew maintained much of a head.
I think it’s fair to say Big Storm laced a little better than the Sun King, though there wasn’t a ton of differentiation here.
So Sun King has a preferable mouthfeel/flavor balance, and Big Storm laced a little better. I think the separation is stronger on the mouth feel. So I am going to give this one to Sun King. Running total: Big Storm 1-3 Sun King.
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?
Big Storm were resounding winners of the People’s Choice this time around. Running total: Big Storm 2-3 Sun King.
Results
A healthy bump in the People’s Choice wasn’t quite enough to get Big Storm over the edge. Sun King now progresses to round 3, where they will meet Twisted Spike of Oklahoma.
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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