A Simple Introduction To Marzen Beer
Marzen beer is most famous for existing at one very special time of year in dangerously large containers wielded by dirndl-clad servers and ruddy-faced revelers. The classic, sweet, exceptionally drinkable lager of Oktoberfest has a long history as a festival beer. Care to learn more? Right this way.
What Is a Marzen Beer?
Marzen beer (often referred to as Marzen), is a traditional German lager known for its rich maltiness and amber color. It is medium-bodied with a very low hop profile.
Marzen beer has a strong historical connection to Oktoberfest. Traditionally, these beers were brewed in the month of March. (März is “March” in German. Add the “en,” and it makes it plural. So they called the beers “March’s.”) The March’s were aged throughout the summer months and ready to drink in September and October. They were toasty, sweet, creamy, and the perfect beer to celebrate the harvest and the coming winter months.
Marzen was drunk for the first Oktoberfest in Germany (see below) and for around 100 years after that. Now, various styles have been adopted as acceptable Oktoberfest beers. Germany has an “official” style called the Wiesn, or simply Oktoberfest. More on that later.
What Is the Difference Between a Marzen and a Lager?
Marzen beer is actually a type of lager known for its malt-forward profile and balanced bitterness. The term “lager” refers to the method of fermentation, where the beer is made with bottom-fermenting yeast and cold-aged for an extended period. Marzen beers typically have a slightly higher alcohol content and a richer malt character compared to other lagers.
Is Marzen Beer Heavy?
While Marzen beers have a pretty robust malt profile, they are generally not considered heavy in the same way that stouts or porters might be. They offer a medium-bodied mouthfeel with a smooth texture, making them highly drinkable and suitable for extended enjoyment festivals like Oktoberfest. Pace yourself, though. Bavarian beer steins hold an entire liter of the good stuff–that’s around 34 oz to us, which is more than a Big Gulp.
What Is the Official Oktoberfest Beer in Germany?
While the Marzen continues to be an American favorite, for Oktoberfest, Germany has moved on to a different style. That’s right. They pulled an Apple. We just got the latest version, and now there’s a new one and it requires an entirely different charger and you can only listen to music with an implant.
The “official” beer for Oktoberfest in Germany is the Wiesn. The name comes from the very first Oktoberfest, which was actually a wedding celebration in 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen tied the knot in a lavish, 5-day festival that culminated in a horse race in a long stretch of meadow. The meadow had no name at the time, but the guests so enjoyed themselves they decided to give it one. They named it after their new princess: Theresens Wiese (Therese’s meadow).
The affair was deemed worthy of repeating, and guests around Munich would go to the Wiese to drink beer and celebrate. Today, “wiese” has become synonymous with any Oktoberfest, especially in Munich. And the beer is called “wiesn” which, we assume, is how you start to say “wiese” after too many festbiers.
What Does Wiesn Beer Taste Like?
The Wiesn style is also commonly called Oktoberfest or, simply, Festbier. It is usually paler in color than a Marzen, like straw or gold. The taste is comparable, with an emphasis on bready, malty flavor and aroma. A wiesn is potentially even less hop-forward than a Marzen, however, lacking the latter’s dry finish in favor of that cereal sweetness.
What Are Some Other Popular Oktoberfest Beer Styles?
Marzen and Wiesn are malty, sweet, and low on hops bitterness. There are a few other styles that share this flavor profile and are thus often prevalent at Oktoberfest. These include:
Dunkels
Dunkels share the bready sweetness and minimal bitterness of the Maren and Wiesn. However, they are quite dark in color (the name means” dark” in German). They can take on a deep amber to an almost ruby-like shade. Dunkels can also have notes of dark fruit, like raisins, blackberries, and plums.
Helles
Helle means “bright” in German, referencing this style’s signature golden color. Like Marzen and Wiesn, Helles are sweet and malty with a low hops profile. They tend to be somewhat lighter than other Oktoberfest brews, however, with a slightly lower alcohol content. .
Celebrate With Us: 11 Years Of Awesomeness
We’re gearing up for Oktoberfest at Diebolt, which happens to be in the wake of our 11th Anniversary Extravaganza! Consider it an Oktoberfest pre-game: join us 9/13 to 9/15 for food, fun, friendship, and, of course, beer. Admission is free! Just bring some cash for the beers and snacky snacks from our delicious food truck partners. See you there!
