What is a Märzen beer?
A beer rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness, similar to the Vienna lager. Toasted bread or biscuit-like malt aroma and flavor is to be expected. Originating in Germany, this style was traditionally brewed in the spring (“Marzen” meaning “March”) and aged, or lagered, throughout the summer.
Are all Oktoberfest beers Märzen?
In America, our Oktoberfests tend to be red hued, slightly sweet beers known as a Marzen. But at the actual festival, the beers are closer to what most of us think of when we think of a German lager: paler beers, similar to another German style known as a Dortmunder.
Is Märzen beer and ale or lager?
For one thing, Marzen beers are lagers — the generally thinner and crisper cousins to thicker, heavier-tasting ales. For another, these lagers usually include Munich malt, named for the Bavarian capital. The malt is amber in color and produces a particularly rich, sweet taste.
Why is Oktoberfest beer called Märzen?
Märzen or Märzenbier (which is German for March beer) is a pale lager seasonal that originated in Bavaria. The beer was traditionally brewed in March (hence its name) and stored in caves before summer’s weather made brewing lagers nearly impossible.
What is the difference between Oktoberfest and Märzen?
The short version is: there’s no difference. According to the 2015 BJCP guidelines, Oktoberfest and Märzen are technically the same thing.
What is the difference between a Märzen and Festbier?
According to the BJCP, Märzen is “an elegant, malty German amber lager with clean, rich, toasty and bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a dry finish that encourages another drink.” Festbier, by comparison, is described as “less intense and less richly toasted than a Märzen.”
How is Märzen made?
Generally, a Märzen is made from some combination of Munich, 2-row pale or pilsner, and Vienna malts. A more traditional Märzen will likely be made up of half Munich malt, while the lighter more modern beer served at many an Oktoberfest would lean more toward the Pilsner or 2-row.
How do you pronounce Märzen?
This is why the Märzen beer style is sometimes also called “Oktoberfestbier”. The wrong way to say “Märzen” is like this: “Mars-in” (like a hotel on Mars: The Mars Inn). The more accurate way is like this = “Mare-Tsen” where “Mare” is pronounced like the English word “mare” (an adult female horse).
What is Festbock?
Holsten Festbock is a full-bodied dark beer, aromatic and flavorful brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law. Deep amber color; sweet roasted malt & coffee aromas; medium body; round malt flavor with touch of hops; long finish” $2.99.
Is Marzen an ale or lager?
Märzen or Märzenbier (which is German for March beer) is a pale lager seasonal that originated in Bavaria.
Is German beer stronger then American beer?
Usually, beers that are exported are slightly stronger. Bottled beers are also usually more carbonated than their kegged counterparts, so if you’re drinking European beers at a bar in Europe that are served in glasses from a tap, it’s going to taste different from the same beer from a bottle in the US.
What are the best breweries in Germany?
Oberon Ale – Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo,MI)
What are the top German beers?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier