Märzen

Festbier served at Oktoberfest in the traditional 1-litreMaß

Märzen(German:[ˈmɛʁt͡sn̩]) orMärzenbier(German:March beer) is alagerthat originated inBavaria,Germany.It has a medium to full body and may vary in colour from pale through amber to dark brown.It was the beer traditionally served at the MunichOktoberfest.The geographical indicationOktoberfestbierisprotected in the EUand can only be used forMärzenthat is brewed in Munich.

History

Märzenhas its origins inBavaria,probably before the 16th century. A Bavarian brewing ordinance decreed in 1553 that beer may be brewed only between 29 September (St. Michael's Day orMichaelmas) and 23 April (St. George's Day orGeorgi), as the high summertime temperatures were more likely to cause off-flavoured beer due to elevated ambient fermentation temperatures.

Märzen was brewed in March, with moderate and balanced hopping levels, malt and slightly higher alcohol content that would allow the beer to last while the brewing of new beer was forbidden from 24 April to 28 September. The beer was then allowed to lager in ice and straw filled beer cellars until autumn.

The originalMärzenwas described as "dark brown, full-bodied, and bitter".The beer was often kept in the cellar until late in the summer, and kegs were then served at the Oktoberfest.

Common names forMärzenin Germany and Austria includeMärzenbier,Wiener Märzen,FestbierandOktoberfestbier.

Märzenin Germany and Austria

Märzenis now a rarity in Germany and is mainly found in the South,often in varieties that explicitly refer to its association with Oktoberfest, such as the "Oktoberfest Bier" from the Paulaner brewery.In Austria, however,Märzenis the name given to the most popular type of beer, but the AustrianMärzenis lighter in color and taste and corresponds, more or less, to a Bavarian Helles or Export beer. The reason for this has to do with Austrian post-war regulations which limited the prices of essential food and drink products.Märzenbierwas a preferred variety due to its reputation as a festive drink and its high pre-war price, but brewers reduced its malt and alcohol content in order to maintain its profitability at its newly limited price.

Description

In comparison to a Bavarianpale lager,the traditionalMärzenstyle is characterised by a fuller body, and a sweeter and often less hoppy flavour.It typically contains 5.1–6.0%alcohol by volume.

The Austrian style is light in colour, body and flavour balance, and is the most popular beer style among thebeers in Austria.AustrianMärzenbiersoften use caramel malts that impart a sweeter flavour than their German counterparts; other AustrianMärzenoverlap stylistically with Munich-styleHelles.

Brewers in theCzech Republichave been producingMärzenstyle beer, calledbřezňákormarcovní(March beer), since the 15th century. Today's equivalents are legally defined as 14°lagers calledsvětlé speciální pivo(light special beer),polotmavé speciální pivo(half-dark special beer), andtmavé speciální pivo(dark special beer).

In Lithuania,Švyturysproduces a Märzen stlye beer calledBaltijos.

Żywiec,a Polish brewery, produces aMärzenstyle lager calledpiwo lager typu marcowe(March type lager beer), or simply "Marcowe".

• 
  Märzen fromAyinger Brewery,Bavaria
• 
  Egger Märzen, Austria
• 
  ŠvyturysBaltijos, Lithuania

See also

• Helles
• Pale lager