Round 1, Bout 22 of Master of Marzen 2021 sees Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers (Massachusetts) vs. Elsewhere Brewing (Georgia).
Jack’s Abby are returning for their second Master of Marzen tournament. This is Elsewhere’s first time as entrants. Let’s see how this goes!
Packaging Design
Two very interesting cans here.
Jack’s Abby’s Copper Legend lives up to the name, offering a deep copper color for much of the can. The Oktoberfest check is present but using copper and gold instead of the typical blue/blue or blue/white. Lions and griffins adorn the central shield.
Elsewhere Brewing’s Zicke Zacke boasts a colorful can complete with mountains and a male and female figure. The male figure to the left is wearing the Oktoberfest check on his shirt. The stylized font used for the name is quite eye grabbing.
I enjoy both of these cans, but I have to give the edge to Elsewhere. It’s a vibrant and very interesting label. Running total: Jack’s Abby 0-1 Elsewhere.
Aroma
Copper Legend offers an aroma that’s steeped in sweet malts. A mild warmth is present and lingers on the nose.
Zicke Zacke offers a comparably much more intense aroma. It’s sweet and floral, offering a bright aroma that’s almost like a warm hug.
I think the advantage here has to go to Elsewhere’s Zicke Zacke. Running total: Jack’s Abby 0-2 Elswhere.
Flavor
Copper Legend is a consistently flavorful brew from front to back. A dry and earthy malt profile is overarched by an intense, yet not overwhelming, bitterness. The bitterness holds into the aftertaste and builds a little over time.
Zicke Zacke offers a tremendously intense flavor, but it’s not why I expected given the style. It’s a hop-forward and slightly bitter brew with borderline citrusy undertones. This is a really enjoyable brew, but it doesn’t really fit the mold for Oktoberfest brew in my view. If anything, it’s almost a hoppy pale ale in flavor.
Unsurprisingly, this one has to go to Jack’s Abby. Running total: Jack’s Abby 1-2 Elsewhere.
Body
Copper Legend is a mid-bodied, low carbonation, and incredibly smooth brew. It costs the moth a tad.
Zicke Zacke is an insanely light-bodied and quite highly carbonated brew. It’s a little on the frothy side, from a mouthfeel perspective.
Jack’s Abby has a lighter coloration, with both brews being quite translucent.
Both brews retained a comparable ring of foam, but Zicke Zacke has the advantage on lacing.
Weighting the mouthfeel as the bulk of the experience, I’m giving this one to Jack’s Abby. Running total: Jack’s Abby 2-2 Elsewhere.
People’s Choice
The People’s Choice is decided by public polling on my Instagram story. Let’s see how it turned out.
As you can see above, Jack’s Abby took this point with 57% of the vote. Running total: Jack’s Abby 3-2 Elsewhere.
Results
A right Bout came down to the very last point. Jack’s Abby now progresses to Round 2 where they’ll meet Elmhurst Brewing Company.
Be asure to check back regularly for updated results, and to follow @sargentsuds on Instagram so you can vote on all polls throughout the tournament.
Sgt. Suds 