Round 2, Bout 7 of Master of Marzen 2020 sees Klaus Brewing (TX) take on Fonta Flora Brewery (NC).
Klaus is a returning competitor that made it deep into the 2019 tournament and Fonta Flora performed well in their first round bout. This one should be epic.
Packaging Design
This one is a bit one sided, with Fonta Flora clearly taking the packaging design point. Running total: Klaus 0-1 Fonta Flora.
Aroma
Klaus’ Drindl Dropper is about as close to a textbook Marzen as you can find. It offers a deep and powerful malt without being overwhelming from an aroma standpoint. It represents what I love about the style. Top flight from an aroma standpoint.
Fonta Flora offers a thinner aroma, but still smells pretty good. If offers a maltiness, a hint of hops, and a general warmth.
Fonta Flora is a solid smelling brew, but it’s hard to compete with Klaus’ textbook execution. Point to Klaus. Running total: Klaus 1-1 Fonta Flora.
Flavor
Klaus’ Drindl Dropper picks up in flavor where the aroma leaves off. It’s mid-bodied, smooth, and absolutely stacked with toasted malt flavor. Just enough sweet to keep it interesting, and an appropriate bitterness to make for a well-rounded experience. Execution is amazing.
Fonta Flora offers a lighter, sweeter, and generally tasty brew. The malts come through in a big way on the back end, leading to a malty and slightly sweet aftertaste that retains. It does a great job of being very flavorful while staying light and easy to drink.
That said, Klaus is absolutely killing it with their Drindl Dropper. Flavor goes to them. Running total: Klaus 2-1 Fonta Flora.
Body
Klaus is a bit of a heavier brew, though it still remains very drinkable. Fonta Flora is a lighter experience, but it doesn’t offer quite as much depth of flavor.
From a head retentioj standpoint, Klaus still shows a ring of foam, where Fonta Flora’s brew is bare.
On lacing, Klaus laced a little, where Fonta Flora did not lace at all.
On the balance of sub-criteria, I think it’s safe to say Klaus is the winner here. The drinkability and flavor mix, with some head retention and lacing puts them a little ahead of Fonta Flora. Running total: Klaus 3-1 Fonta Flora.
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?
Fonta Flora took the people’s choice fairly convincingly here. Running total: Klaus 3-2 Fonta Flora.
Results
Fonta Flora were able to tighten things up a bit at the end there, but it will be Klaus progressing to Round 3 where they’ll meet the winner of Rahr & Sons vs. Roundhouse Brewing.
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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