Are Märzen and Oktoberfest the same?
According to the 2015 BJCP guidelines, Oktoberfest and Märzen are technically the same thing. Märzen become the official beer of Munich’s Oktoberfest in 1872, a tradition that lasted over 100 years when it was replaced by the lighter-bodied, golden-colored Festbier in the 1990 Oktoberfest.
Why is it called a Märzen?
Originating in Germany, this style was traditionally brewed in the spring (“Marzen” meaning “March”) and aged, or lagered, throughout the summer. A stronger version was served at early Oktoberfest celebrations and became known as Oktoberfest.
What does UR-Märzen mean?
Thus, the Vienna Lager beer style was born. He dubbed his creation Ur-Märzen, meaning “Original Märzen.” Josef brewed the beer again in March of 1872 to be consumed later that fall. During that year’s Oktoberfest, Josef introduced his Ur-Märzen, which proved to be an overwhelming success.
What is the difference between Festbier and Märzen?
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.”
What makes a beer an Oktoberfest?
What makes an Oktoberfest Beer, other than trademark? Traditionally speaking, these are dark-colored lagers brewed to about 5.5 – 6% ABV in March, dubbed Märzen, and slowly fermented throughout the summer months to allow rich malt flavors to develop.
Why is beer associated with Oktoberfest?
“As a result of using paler malts, it continued to get lighter in color throughout the 20th century. These days, the beer served at the Munich festival is golden, slightly more so than Helles (another pale, German lager style), but brewed to a higher gravity, resulting in a beer with a higher alcohol content.
What is amber Märzen?
Märzen or Märzenbier (German: the month of March beer) is a lager that originated in Bavaria. It has a medium to full body and may vary in color from pale through amber to dark brown. It is the beer traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest.
What style is Oktoberfest?
To help clarify things, the Brewers Association actually breaks down Oktoberfest into two distinct styles: German-Style Oktoberfest/Wiesn and American-Style Marzen/Oktoberfest. Though you can make an assumption about which type of Oktoberfest you’re ordering, if you want to make sure, it always behooves you to ask.
What is amber Marzen?
What does Shiner Oktoberfest taste like?
So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew. Appearance: Orange marmalade with some foam and lacing. Aroma: Malty, yeasty with a hint of citrus. Taste: A little light on the carbonation, sweet and a little doughy.
What style is Oktoberfest beer?
In the US Oktoberfest Style Beer is Considered to Be Märzen Amber Lager. As we clarified above, because the Oktoberfest is a Munich festival organized primarily for the residents of Munich and the surrounding areas of Bavaria only Munich breweries can brew Oktoberfestbier for the fest and sell it on the Wiesn.
Why is Oktoberfest beer stronger?
The beer has changed greatly since the 1800s. The original Oktoberfest beer was a malted stock with about 6% alcohol. Today, Oktoberfest beer is slightly more golden than Helles but brewed with a stronger alcohol content. They no longer brew the amber brews made with Munich Malt we see in America.