Beer Styles # 32 - German-Style Maerzen / Oktoberfest




Craft Beer Storm show

Summary: German-Style Maerzen / Oktoberfest<br><br>(Description courtesy of Beer Advocate)<br><br>Before refrigeration, it was nearly impossible to brew beer in the summer due to the hot weather and bacterial infections. Brewing ended with the coming of spring, and began again in the fall. Thus, most were brewed in March (Märzen). These beers were kept in cold storage through the spring and summer months, or brewed at a higher gravity, so they'd last longer. Märzenbier is full-bodied, rich, and toasty, with a moderately high alcohol content. Its color can be anywhere from pale gold to medium amber, but is typically some shade of copper. Like other dark lagers, the aroma is driven by malt, not hops. Best enjoyed by the half liter in a Bavarian beer garden. <br><br>-Color – Pale to reddish-brown<br><br>-Clarity: Appearance should be bright; chill haze should not be present<br><br>-Perceived Malt Aroma &amp; Flavor: Bready or biscuit malt aroma and flavor should be present. Sweet maltiness is medium-low to medium and leads to a muted clean hop bitterness. Malt flavors should be of light toast rather than strong caramel. Low level caramel character is acceptable.<br><br>-Perceived Hop Aroma &amp; Flavor: Low, derived from noble-type hops.<br><br>-Perceived Bitterness: Medium-low to Medium<br><br>-Body: Medium<br><br>-ABV: 5.1%-6.0%<br><br>-Glassware: Mug or Stein<br><br>-Examples (courtesy of Beer Advocate)<br>(<a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com" rel="noopener">https://www.beeradvocate.com</a>)<br><br>Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier | Paulaner Brauerei GmbH &amp; Co. KG<br><br>Brewed by: <br>Paulaner Brauerei GmbH &amp; Co. KG <br>Germany<br>paulaner.de <br><br>Style: German Märzen / Oktoberfest <br><br>Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80% <br><br><br>Notes / Commercial Description: <br>Also known as Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier<br><br>An amber beer style that was developed to celebrate the original Oktoberfest over 200 years ago. This full bodied beer with its rich malt flavor, dark toffee note and underlying fruitiness has a masterful hop balance.<br><br><br>Oktoberfest | Brooklyn Brewery<br><br>Brewed by: <br>Brooklyn Brewery <br>New York, United States<br>brooklynbrewery.com <br><br>Style: German Märzen / Oktoberfest <br><br>Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50% <br><br>Notes / Commercial Description: <br>When Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria wanted to celebrate his wedding engagement in 1810, he did what any good Bavarian prince would – he threw a beer festival. Both the festival and the special beer served there became known as Oktoberfest. Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style, fullbodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness.<br><br>Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes: <br><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2" rel="noopener">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2</a><br><br>*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***<br><br>Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH<br><br>Michael Potorti<br>Founder/Brewer<br>Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast<br><a href="mailto:michael@craftbeerstorm.com">michael@craftbeerstorm.com</a><br><a href="mailto:michael@bearairishbrew.com">michael@bearairishbrew.com</a><br><br>*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***<br><br>Beara Brewing Co.<br>2800 Lafayette Road<br>Portsmouth, NH 03801<br>Tel. (857) 342-3272<br> <br><a href="http://www.bearairishbrew.com" rel="noopener">www.bearairishbrew.com</a><br> <br>Like us on<br><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en</a><br><br><br>Facebook: