This month's Ale Together Now program explored the wonderful world of Oktoberfest beers, with a special look at the malty, toasty Märzen style. This beer is perfect for this time of year, as we enjoy the cooler and darker evenings around a bonfire. Gather round with your favorite Oktoberfest and explore what makes Märzen beers so special!
Oktoberfest lagers consist of two styles. The roasty, amber Märzen lager is the traditional Oktoberfest style, while the Festbier is a golden lager developed in the twentieth century. Official Oktoberfest lagers are only made by the German breweries Augustiner (f. 1328), Hacker-Pschorr (f. 1417), Hofbräu (f. 1589), Löwenbräu (f. 1388), Paulaner (f. 1634), and Spaten (f. 1397). Oktoberfest beers made outside of Munich are considered an "Oktoberfest-style" lager, but not an official Oktoberfest.
Märzen lagers feature flavors of caramel, roasted/toasted malt, bread, sweetness, and a little hop bitterness, paired with an aroma of bread or roasted malt. The medium-full mouthfeel gives way to a crisp finish, making for a beer that is warming and comforting, but also very drinkable. The color can be deep amber or copper, and tends to be clear. This beer style is 18-30 IBUs and ranges from 4.5-7.0% ABV (alcohol by volume).
The first Märzen we sampled was from Hacker-Pschorr Brewery in Munich, Germany, at 5.8% ABV. This dark Märzen is smooth, flavorful, and crisp.
So why do we celebrate Oktoberfest every year? This special event originates from the very first Oktoberfest celebration, which was actually a wedding celebration on October 12, 1810 for Ludwig I (Bavaria) and his wife Therese (Saxony-Hildburghausen). This celebration was held in the fields outside the Munich city gates, and the beer (specially brewed for the occasion) was dark, sweet, bready, and full-bodied. The party was open to the public, regardless of class, and crowds enjoyed the delicious beer, horse races, games, and more. The party lasted for five days, and was so well received that the celebration continued annually within the city. This celebration started the tradition of modern Oktoberfest celebrations around the world!
The Märzen beer that we know and love is a style inspired by the beer served at that original Oktoberfest wedding. Gabriel Sedlmayr, a brewer at Spaten in Munich, was an innovative brewer who experimented with malts, using steam-powered equipment and, for the first time, refrigerators to cool beer. Sedlmayr brewed the Märzenbier in 1841 using 100% Munich malt, and served it at Oktoberfest 1872. This style was actually a rather light beer, by German beer standards of the time, and was so well loved that it was served at Oktoberfest celebrations from 1872 into the 1990s!
The next beer we sampled was Ur-Märzen, from Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu-Gruppe in Munich, Germany. This Märzen comes in at 5.9% ABV.
Let's look at the difference between beers labeled a 'Mӓrzen' and those labeled as 'Marzen-style' beers. This difference in labeling is used to delineate traditional styles that are brewed outside of the historical location where they originated. This goers for other traditional beer styles as well, such as Kölsch beers and 'Kolsch-style' beers. The traditional, German Mӓrzen is darker in color, clearer, and full-bodied compared to American styles of this beer. It is sweet, bready, and can be 5.0-6.0% ABV. Traditional Mӓrzens also lager for longer, typically about six months, and tend to be bottled instead of canned. On the other hand, Marzen-style Oktoberfests are lighter, more-copper colored, medium-bodied, and can be slightly hoppier. Marzen-style beers come in at 5.0-7.0% ABV, are lagered for only 2-3 months, and are typically canned instead of bottled. But don't be fooled-- just because an Oktoberfest beer is brewed in the U.S. does not make it any lesser! We were fortunate enough to sample some fantastic American Marzen-style beers.
First, we sampled Spiders from Marzen, a Marzen-style from River's Edge Brewing in Milford. This copper-red lager is rich, toasty, and balanced, at 5.8% ABV.
Oktoberfest celebrations are still held annually in Munich, Germany. The only exceptions in this wonderful tradition have resulted from global crises, such as war or pandemic. Oktoberfest celebrations last 16-18 days in mid to late September, ending in early October. More than seven million people attend! Festivities include carnivals, music, parade, dances, food, and of course, beer. Breweries involved include Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. The 2024 Oktoberfest festivities are taking place from September 21 – October 6.
Our last sample was a Marzen-style Oktoberfest from Drafting Table Brewing Company in Wixom. This beer features rich malty flavor, but is also crisp and drinkable.
Keep an eye out for wonderful, seasonal Oktoberfest beers in your area! Here are some of the MANY local breweries hosting Oktoberfest beers, but remember that they are usually available for a limited time only.
- River’s Edge Brewing Co.
- Drafting Table Brewing Co.
- Aberrant Brewing Co.
- Hartland Brewing Co.
- Eternity Brewing Co.
- Brewery Becker
- Northville Brewing Co.
- Kickstand Brewing Co.
- Battle Alley Brewing Co.
- Homes Brewing Co.
- Arbor Brewing Co.
- Linden Brewing Co.
and more!
Cheers!