How to Identify Märzen Style Beer

Märzen beer is the classic Oktoberfest brew. In the distant past, Bavarian brewers had to stop production during the summer months, when hot weather made brewing unreliable. Finishing their supplies in March, they would then hoard barrels of beer in cool, dark cellars until production resumed in the fall. To celebrate this revival, Oktoberfest was born.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Study the beer's color. Classic Märzen beers are a reddish-copper color, darker and bolder than the pale golden hues of the modern lager. Austrian varieties tend to be lighter and more yellow than Bavarian brews.

2. Taste the hops. Märzen beers are usually only moderately hopped, but American versions tend to be more bitter than their European counterparts.

3. Note the beer's alcoholic strength. Brewers give their Märzen beers alcohol contents between 5.0 and 6.0 percent ABV to preserve them over the summer months. If it's not written on the bottle, try to taste the dry warmth of the alcohol.

4. Taste the beer's maltiness. Malt is the primary flavor of traditional Märzen beers, although newer lagers are often less flavorful.

5. Weigh the beer in your mouth. Märzen beers are medium- to full-bodied and will feel heavy on your tongue.

6. Notice the beer's finish. A good Märzen beer should be clean and satisfying in the finish without any overwhelming sweetness, bitterness or spiciness.

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