Märzen

Named for the month of March, when it was brewed and then lagered through summer for autumn festivals, this amber lager is a centuries-old Bavarian tradition. Gabriel Sedlmayr of Spaten and Anton Dreher of Vienna collaborated to develop it around 1840. Elegant and malty, it shows clean, toasty, bready malt with restrained bitterness and a dry finish, at 5.6 to 6.3 percent alcohol with 18 to 24 IBU and an 8 to 17 SRM colour. Long the classic Oktoberfest beer, it has since been largely replaced at the event by paler Festbier. Spaten Oktoberfest, Ayinger Oktoberfest-Märzen, and Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen are representative. BJCP files it as 6A.

An elegant, malty German amber lager with a clean, rich, toasty and bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a dry finish. The classic traditional Oktoberfest style.

Moderate to rich clean malt aroma with toasty, bready, and light caramel notes. Low to moderate herbal or floral German hop aroma. Clean, dry lager fermentation. Elegant and inviting.

Amber to reddish-copper, 8-17 SRM. Clear. Off-white to ivory head with good retention.

Moderate to rich toasty, bready malt flavor with caramel sweetness. Low to moderate German hop bitterness and flavor. Dry, clean finish. Elegant and classic Oktoberfest character.

Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth and round. Clean, crisp finish. Well-lagered texture.

Originally brewed in March (März) and stored (lagered) through summer for consumption at fall festivals, dating back centuries in Bavaria. Gabriel Sedlmayr of Spaten and Anton Dreher of Vienna collaborated to develop the style around 1840-1841. The traditional Oktoberfest amber style, though now largely replaced at the event by paler Festbier.

What is Märzen beer?

Märzen (BJCP 6A) — the traditional Oktoberfest amber lager with rich, toasty malt character. Style guide and specs.

What is the ABV of Märzen?

Märzen has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 5.6-6.3%.

How bitter is Märzen beer?

Märzen measures 18-24 IBU (International Bitterness Units).

What are some examples of Märzen beers?

Spaten Oktoberfest, Ayinger Oktoberfest-Märzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen, Hacker-Pschorr Märzen