You have probably heard of Oktoberfest a time or two whether you are a beer drinker or not. Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival that is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It’s Oktoberfest time once again and your favorite bars and breweries might be serving some styles with which you may or may not be familiar. Styles like Oktoberfestbier or Märzen-Oktoberfestbier. This is the time you familiarize yourself with this style so you can enjoy Oktoberfest with the rest of us!
According to GermanBeerInstitue.com, Märzen is the historic forerunner of the Oktoberfestbier. In the Middle Ages, brewers had a difficult time brewing good-tasting beers during the hot summer months when the brew could easily become infected with air-born bacteria. To have an ample supply of saleable beer on hand during the summer, brewers worked overtime in March to brew an extra strong and well-hopped beer that would keep for a long time. Märzen is German for March, so the beer came to be known for the month in which it was brewed.
Oktoberfestbiers are lagers of around 5.5-6 % ABV and range in color from pale to dark brown. Although the style originated in Germany, there are also many American breweries that are putting out their own versions.
You’ve seen dozens of Oktoberfest options on the store shelf or beer list at your local Saucer. We encourage you try as many as possible, but here’s a quick list of some of our favorites:
Avery Brewing The Kaiser- Copper to amber in color. Malty caramel sweetness balanced with bread and spices.
Image source: Avery Brewing Company Facebook
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen- The #9 beer on Beer Advocate’s Top 100 Oktoberfest/Märzen beers. Crisp and higher carbonation on the tongue. Full bodied, malty and perfectly sweet.
Bell’s Octoberfest Beer– Assertive hop presence for a focus on a light caramel malt note, lending body without too much sweetness.
Image source: Bell’s Brewery (Official) Facebook
7Stern MÄRZEN– Amber to red in color with a creamy head it features a malty nose and a hearty flavor resembling walnuts and sponge cake.
Victory Festbier– Full flavor. Subtly sweet with a delicate malt nose.
Image source: Victory Beer Facebook
Real Ale Oktoberfest– Munich and Vienna malts are the real heroes of this brew, resulting in a smooth, copper-colored, medium-bodied beer
Image source: Real Ale Brewing Company Facebook
Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier– Rich, full-bodied beer which goes down ideally with traditional Bavarian cuisine. Deliciously bitter taste.
Image source: Hofbräu München Facebook
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest– Deep golden in color and rich with complex malt flavor from the use of traditional German Steffi barley. Read more about Sierra Nevada’s new Oktoberfest collaboration.
Image source: Sierra Nevada
Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Amber Märzen– Golden amber color, typical malt aromas, defined by the various malting barley from the Bavarian countryside, complemented by a pleasantly light hoppy note
Image source: Himmel der Bayern Facebook
Ballast Point Dead Ringer– Dark reddish brown lager loaded with sweet, caramel toffee flavors and aromas.
Image source: Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits Facebook
Now that you have an idea of what to expect and what to look out for, head out to the bar and enjoy a pint. You might just find your new favorite beer.
