Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, one of the most highly-respected märzens available in the world, will be arriving at a store, bar or restaurant near you soon. Look for it by the beginning of September.
 

Ayinger Brewery, founded in 1878 and located in the Bavarian village of Aying - about 30 minutes from Munich - has earned a reputation for beer of the highest quality. Ayinger always represents a commitment to excellence, which shows up at the World Beer Championships (where Ayinger often takes first place in every category entered), or on beer websites, or in the delightful Ayinger beer quaffed at your local pub, or even in a discussion between other German brewers.

Oktober Fest-Märzen is an honest märzen - full-bodied, rich lager with a malty bouquet and richness that stops short of sweetness. Color is deep amber-gold and the flavor is a perfect balance: malt backbone with depth & richness; complemented by perfect conditioning from long maturation; and alcohol of 5.6% by volume. Fest-Märzen is spiced with enough hops to make it snappy and thirst-quenching, but in the classic Bavarian style it's not highly bitter.

(The deep maltiness of Oktober Fest-Märzen comes in part from decoction mashing, a time- and equipment-intensive process that is not common outside Germany and the Czech Republic. )