It's September, time for Oktoberfest beers.
In March, 1871 Josef Sedlmayr, owner of the Franziskaner/Spaten brewery in Munich, brewed a Vienna Amber for the first time in Bavaria. It lagered until September when he had a public-relations oriented tasting which proved quite successful. Sedlmayr called this beer Märzen and it became very popular at Munich's Oktoberfest celebration. It's said his Märzen was first sold at the Oktoberfest of 1872 when the brewery ran out of other beers.
A strong beer brewed in March was suitable for a long lagering time and would be ready for the early autumn season before brewing started again with the coming of cooler weather.
From this 19th century start, Märzens brewed in Germany have evolved into slightly stronger beers with less red color and are now quite lacking in the amber color they originally had. It's no longer aged for 6 months, more like 6 weeks, but, with more modern technology, that doesn't alter the characteristics significantly.
One change in technology is the "decoction mash" which involves an early boiling of some of the beer, giving a richer, maltier, result.
The term Oktoberfestbier is only allowed to be used by the 6 big breweries within Munich. All others are Oktoberfest style beers. Versions of Oktoberfests that Germany exports are usually maltier and deeper in color than Märzens but the two are really the same within Germany.
French breweries call their Märzen "biere du Mars".
| Native Territory | Munich, Bavaria, Germany Autumn seasonal. |
| Color (SRM) | Copper to orangish amber. (7 - 14). |
| Head | White and frothy. |
| Aromas | Some rich malt. Often toasty. Very little hop aroma. |
| Flavors | Mainly complex toasty malt. |
| Finish | Balanced drying spicy Noble hop in the aftertaste. |
| Mouthfeel | Medium body tending toward creaminess with softness from the water. |
| Carbonation | Moderate - does not get in the way. |
| Alcohol | Not noticeable in the mouth. 5.0 - 6.2% ABV. |
| Bitterness (IBU) | Spicy bitterness from Noble hops comes in late. (20-28) |
| Serving | German-style stein or other handled mug. Glass is normally used to show off the color. Munich's favorite glass is a 1-liter mass. |
| Malts | Vienna, Munich. Sometimes a touch of Caramel malt. |
| Hops | Noble hops such as Saaz for spiciness. |
| Yeast | Oktoberfest blend of yeasts. |
| Related Styles | Vienna Ambers beers are similar but usually redder and lighter in alcohol. |
| Notes | Some brewers use Caramel malts for added color. Munich's water is substantially lower in Calcium and Sulfates than the water of Vienna. This is a major factor in the difference between the two beers. |
| Bob's Pick |  Augustiner Oktoberfest Bier - Munich mega-brewery - Crisp taste in a creamy body. Respected by the locals as the best at the fest. |
| Rare Gems |  Wiltse's Brew Pub Oktoberfest - Oscoda, MI - Darkish red. Malty with a slight sweetness but well balanced. Carbonation comes through. Sudwerk Privatbrauerei Hübsch Märzen - Davis, CA brewpub - Rich with a slight apple background. |
| Widely Available | Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten all make authentic export Oktoberfest beers. Just about every brewery in Indiana will be putting out an Oktoberfest this month (if they aren't already). |
Oktoberfest Events in Indiana (at least those that feature beer):
- Thurs, Sept 2: Oktoberfest Tapping. Sun King, Indy. 6pm
- Thurs, Sept 2: Oktoberfest Beer Tasting. Big Red Liquors, Bloomington. 6-8pm
- Tues, Sept 7: Tapping of Oktoberfest at Ram Fishers. 6:30pm
- Thurs, Sept 9 – Sun, Sept 12: German Park Oktoberfest, Indy
- Sat, Sept 11: Mad Anthony Oktobeerfest. Fort Wayne. $25. 2-6pm
- Mon, Sept 13: Granite City Oktoberfest Mug Club Party. Ft. Wayne, Mishawaka, Indy.
- Thurs, Sept 16: Tapping of Rocktoberfest at both Indy Rock Bottoms. 6pm
- Thurs, Sept 16: Feast of Fall Beers - Tasting. Keg Liquors, Clarksville. 5-8pm. Free. 20 O'fests.
- Sat, Sept 18: Back Road Fall Fest, LaPorte.The Ein Prosit Band with the Alphorngruppe will be back. Chuck is brewing Double Back Autumn Ale for the occasion.
- Sat, Sept 18: Oaktoberfest party. Noon-4pm. Oaken Barrel, Greenwood
Typical 5-gallon (US) recipe
| Grains | 8 lb German Pils malt 3.25 lb Munich malt .75 lb Crystal 90L malt .75 lb Crystal 40L malt .75 lb Crystal 10L malt |
| Adjuncts, Fruit, Spices | None |
| Hops | 2 oz Saaz hops boiled for 60 minutes 1.25 oz Saaz hops at boiled for 30 minutes 1 oz Styrian Goldings at end of boil |
| Yeast | Munich Lager yeast |
| Mash | Single Decoction. |
| Boil time | 90 minutes A 40% decoction mash for 30 minutes |
| OG / FG | 1052 / 1014 |
Augustiner tent at Oktoberfest
Hacker-Pschorr tent at Oktoberfest
3 comments:
Not only is the French "Biere de Mars" a red beer, but it is also low gravity!
Glad somebody is reading this. You are absolutely correct. Chalk one up to confusion and a late night.
Thank you,
Bob.
Hi, looking for a place to buy Augustiner Oktoberfestbier in the New England area (MA/CT/NH), does anyone know a place that stocks this particular beer? I heard it isn't imported into the US, but hoping some place may have it. Thanks
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