Märzen - Beer Style Profile - Absolute Beer (2024)

FAQs

What makes a beer a Märzen? ›

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.

An elegant, malty German amber lager with a clean, rich, toasty and bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a dry finish that encourages another drink. The overall malt impression is soft, elegant, and complex, with a rich aftertaste that is never cloying or heavy.

The Marzen are characterized by a dry profile, nothing cloying or sweet. Its carbonation is medium-moderate and its body must also have a medium consistency. Its texture on the palate is quite smooth and creamy, which makes the mouthfeel more complete.

The 3 main beer types: Lager, Ale & Hybrid

Beer can be categorized by these two main types: lagers and ales.

In comparison to a Bavarian pale lager, the traditional Märzen style is characterised by a fuller body, and a sweeter and often less hoppy flavour. It typically contains 5.1–6.0% alcohol by volume.

Beginning around 1870, the style served at the Munich bash was Märzen, but in the late 20th century, tastes shifted toward a paler, crisper lager style sometimes called Festbier.

Märzen is “fest” strength, meaning it falls slightly higher in ABV than normal lagers of pilsner and helles with an ABV of 6% vs the normal 4.5-5%. If you like märzen, try its non-fest equivalent, the Vienna lager (more on that in a few weeks!).

A Marzen (German for "March Beer") is a medium to full body lager typically amber in color though can be brown.

Historic versions of the beer tended to be darker, towards the brown color range, but there have been many 'shades' of Märzen (when the name is used as a strength); this style description specifically refers to the stronger amber lager version. The modern Festbier can be thought of as a pale Märzen by these terms.

Oktoberfest/Märzen Hops

Common hops used in Oktoberfest beers include Saaz, Hallertau, Hallertau Mittelfruh, Tettnanger, Hershbrucker and German Tradition.

What is the difference between Märzen and Hefeweizen beer? ›

Märzen – Malty, amber in color, and extremely drinkable. No wonder this beer is a favorite during Oktoberfest! Hefeweizen (weissbier) – A wheat beer with a light body, hint of bananas, and slightly sweet finish.

There are essentially three basic categories in terms of pairing: Complement, Contrast, and Cut, otherwise known as the 3 C's.

Stouts are usually the strongest, but stronger beers of all types are made by brewing them for longer!

Snow: Another Chinese beer, Snow is the best-selling beer in the world by volume. It's a light and refreshing lager that has a loyal following in its home country. Bud Light: The lighter version of Budweiser, Bud Light is also incredibly popular and is the best-selling beer in the United States.

More specifically, malt is really any type of grain that has gone through the malting process. Most often, brewers use barley or wheat—but you can brew with plenty of other grains like spelt, rye, oats, and more.

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.

Märzen – Malty, amber in color, and extremely drinkable. No wonder this beer is a favorite during Oktoberfest! Hefeweizen (weissbier) – A wheat beer with a light body, hint of bananas, and slightly sweet finish.