Beer Style Guide: Get to Know Märzen with Em Sauter
Every early August in America, a sign that autumn is just around the corner shows up at your neighborhood beer shop- the märzens are here!
Märzen is an amber-colored lager originally from Bavaria in Southern Germany that was the official beer of the large Oktoberfest celebration from the mid/late 19th century until well, no one really knows when the change happened but some people say the switch to the lighter colored Festbier style came about in the late 80’s, early 90’s. I’ll say it again, beer history is messy and a lot of hearsay.
Märzen has been a style of beer for centuries although we know it in its modern form of amber lager. Marzen was more of a class of beers historically, not just one style (to be clear, ask a German or beer historian and they will say this is still how it is but for the sake of an American audience, we will discuss the märzen as we know it). Spaten called an amber lager version of the beer in 1841 a “märzenbier” thanks to its use of 100% Munich malt (a recent invention).
Märzen is the German word for “March” - when historically the beer was brewed and then stored/lagered until the fall when it was drunk at harvest festivals. In Germany it was illegal to brew from late April till September as the weather could be too hot and beer would spoil quickly.
The modern märzen is quite popular in America, imbibed at many Oktoberfest celebrations by the half liter or liter stein. Americans think of an “oktoberfest” beer as a märzen whereas in Germany, that beer would be a festbier (I invite you to read my article on differences between festbier and märzen). Lucky for lager lovers, this style of beer is very easy to obtain and brewed by large and small breweries alike.
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!).
Märzen may be the perfect beer for cooling temperatures. Its flavors of graham cracker, toast, and a light herbal quality make it a great beer not just for hoisting a stein but for football, leaf-peeping, and other autumnal activities. It’s also quite dry, making it easy to imbibe.
I truly believe that märzen is the ultimate tailgating beer. Its subtle sweetness goes well with many BBQ items from chicken to brisket to sausages. It also works well with tomato-based dishes such as chicken tikka masala or spaghetti bolognese as it acts as a tasty, bready complement.
Beers to Try
One of the most storied breweries in Germany, Paulaner brews a tasty märzen that makes it to the U.S. Usually one of the first beers I buy in August. Any Munich-made märzen though is going to be delicious so you can’t really go wrong with any of them to be honest.
Connecticut-based Two Roads’ best beer in their collection, Ok2berfest benefits from a decoction mash and is smooth and utterly drinkable. Excellent in a 16 oz can.
Ohio-based Great Lakes has great consistency when it comes to many styles of beer and their oktoberfest is always a good decision.
Your local brewery
This is one lager style that most breweries seem to do as it is very popular with everyone from craft geeks to macro drinkers. Check out your local brewery in early to mid September and chances are, they’ll have one available to drink.