Das OktoberfestBier:
A Guide to October Beers
Das OktoberfestBier:
A Guide to October Beers
The difference between Oktoberfestbier and Märzen is a bit nuanced due to a shift in brewing traditions, particularly in Munich. Traditionally, the beer served at Oktoberfest was a Märzen, a full-bodied, amber lager with a rich, toasted malt flavor. Märzen, meaning "March" in German, was brewed in the spring and lagered (cold-stored) through the summer to be ready for the autumn festival.
However, since the 1990s, the official beer served in the tents at the Munich Oktoberfest has been a lighter, paler, and more sessionable style known as Festbier. This change was made to create a beer that is easier to drink in large quantities. While still malt-forward, Festbier has a cleaner, less toasty profile and a golden color, similar to a strong Helles lager.
Märzen is the traditional, amber-colored Oktoberfest beer. It is known for a rich, toasted maltiness that often includes notes of bread crust, biscuit, and a hint of caramel or nuts. It has a medium body and a smooth, elegant mouthfeel with a dry finish. The hop bitterness is restrained, serving only to balance the malt sweetness without adding significant hop flavor.
Festbier, the modern, pale-colored Oktoberfest beer, is brewed to be more drinkable in large quantities. It is a lighter, crisper, and more sessionable lager. It still has a noticeable malt backbone, but the flavor profile is cleaner and more subtle, with notes of fresh-baked bread and a gentle sweetness. The hop character is slightly more pronounced than in a Märzen, providing a crisp, clean finish that encourages you to take another sip.
Today, the term "Oktoberfestbier" in Germany refers to this specific, lighter Festbier style that is brewed by the six Munich breweries licensed to sell beer at the festival.
In the United States and many other parts of the world, however, the term "Oktoberfest" is often used interchangeably with the Märzen style, which is the amber-colored, malty lager that was historically associated with the festival.
Of note, The 6 breweries that brew real Oktoberfestbier are Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, Paulaner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Augustiner-Bräu, Spatenbräu, and Staatliches Hofbräu-München. These Brewers all adhere to the rigid constraints imposed by the beer Reinheitsgebot (Edict of Purity) of 1516.
All other beers claiming the name Oktoberfest are actually considered “Oktoberfest style” beers.
Rheinblick is lucky enough to serve three of the Real Oktoberfest Beers this year, as well as a great Märzen style lager from Ayinger (Ayinger is brewed 15 miles south of Munich).
Paulaner Oktoberfestbier: (ABV 6%) A golden lager, it’s the only beer served in Paulaner Oktoberfest tents today. It’s also the best-selling Oktoberfest beer in Germany! 0,5 liter - $9 | 1 liter - $14
Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen: (ABV 5.8%) An amber beer style that was developed over 200 years ago to celebrate the original Oktoberfest. 0,5 liter - $9 | 1 liter - $14
Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen: (ABV 5.7%) Hacker-Pschorr have returned once again to the age-old recipe and recreated a gloriously smooth, honey-coloured piece of history from times gone by. And all is brewed with due reverence to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. - 11.2oz - 9
Ayinger Oktoberfest style Fest-Märzen: (ABV 5.8%) Rich, amber-golden color. Deep, inviting, malty nose and bready, wonderful flavor that’s an ode to barley! There is a VERY LIMITED SUPPLY available this year. Please ask your server if it’s still available! - 11.2oz - 10