Let the Celebrations Begin

With all the recent talk of the Munich Oktoberfest, one might have a craving for some delicious tawny, tasty lager. And the celebrations where this beer takes center stage seem to pop up all over the place, as there are more and more brew parties every year. The popularity speaks to the continued interest and appeal of craft and micro-brewed beer and the Teutonic tradition that started it all.
Although this year’s Munich Oktoberfest in Germany runs through October 3rd, the first (German Unity Day), you do not have to fly to Munich to experience that carnival extravaganza. You will have a number of chances to experience the festival atmosphere in your own backyard, as numerous southern cities celebrate their (not so) German heritage.
Even easier than traveling around town or across the state or southeast to attend a festival, which I highly recommend, the best way to enjoy Oktoberfest is to have a fiesta in your mouth, American style! Sadly, the wonderful German Märzen beers are generally the best examples of this amber, malty, autumn lager. But numerous yank-brewed versions of Märzen are excellent beers in their own right and should be enjoyed now.
While typical German Oktoberfest beers will be a lighter amber color, and offer a low to moderate alcohol level (between 4 and 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), with a balanced yet malty flavor, the versions made on our shores tend to be a darker shade, have higher alcohol levels, and can swing from extreme malt tastes, to spicy overtones, to mouth puckering hop madness.
In honor of American Oktoberfestivals all over, I have amassed a list of some of the better yank versions of that great March German beer, Märzen. I hope you find one to your liking. Keep in mind that German Oktoberfest beers and American Märzen can be quite dissimilar, although both are lager beers.
Staying in the southeast, especially if you find yourself in the Charlotte area, do not miss the fest beer from Olde Mecklenburg. One of the few breweries to actually brew an Altbier, it’s Olde Meck’s Mecktoberfest which is the true standout. Both beers are classically made and are excellent.
A true American example of the style can be found from Great Lakes Brewing Company. Their fall release, Oktoberfest, is higher in alcohol (6.5 percent ABV), and flavor (noble hops and caramel malts) than most other American examples. Even with the non-traditional strength, this one is easy-going.
A recent pickup, Dead Ringer from Ballast Point Brewing Company, is more a traditional Märzen lager, although it is 6% alcohol by volume. A medium-bodied lager, it hits in the middle of the road between carbonated and smooth. This beer is equal parts toasted malt, caramel elements and some nutty flavors.
By far the strongest Märzen of the bunch, a blitzkrieg of a beer, and the one with the most flavor, typically uncharacteristic of the style, Avery’s Brewing Company’s The Kaiser, a self-titled ‘Imperial Oktoberfest’ weighs in at just over 10 percent ABV. For such a strong alcohol level, the beer masks it’s presence with style. Old Wilhelm once said, “Give me a woman who loves brew and I will conquer the world.” Ah, he wished he could have had this American Märzen on his side. Enjoy the brews.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. While they don’t have every beer the Beer Snob writes about, they probably have most. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.