Barley John's Cave Dweller Marzen

This is a big 8.0% ABV Oktoberfest marzen style of beer from Barley John's Brewing. Their brewpub is in New Brighton, Minnesota, but their cans come from their facility in New Richmond, Wisconsin (which due to Byzantine various state alcohol laws, allows them to sell their cans in Minnesota, which they could not do from their own brewpub).

The beer pours with a very light haze, a sparkling, deep copper in color. There is a half-inch head of off-white to light tan foam, not particularly long-lasting. The aroma is bright, malty, caramel and stone fruit, with a touch of nutty and herbal (think sarsparilla). The taste follows the aromas. The finish is moderately bitter, with a strange chemical note. The beer drinks smooth, with moderate carbonation. Crazy that this is 8.0% ABV! I like the idea of an Imperial Oktoberfest, and this has some very good notes, but it would be much better without that strange off-note in the finish.