Style: Oktoberfest (Marzen)
Selected Beers:
Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen - Munich, Germany
Hofbrau Oktoberfest - Munich, Germany
With temperatures finally looking like they might dip below ninety degrees and stay there for a few months, Floridians can finally do what the rest of the northern hemisphere has been doing for the last month and drink some beers that taste like fall. The place to start is a no-brainer: Oktoberfest.
People have been drinking Oktoberfest (also known as Marzen) style beer in Germany for around 200 years. The general style is very heavy on the caramel malts, although those flavors are often balanced out with a generous amount of hops.
The ABV will be around 5%, and it generally will not be too bitter. This description is merely a generalization, however, and there can be big differences between breweries. Needless to say, the most famous Oktoberfest beers come from Germany, and if it's called "Oktoberfest" on the bottle and brewed in Germany, by law it has to come from Munich.
In real time, while writing this, I have been drinking two of the most famous German Marzens, Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen and Hofbrau Oktoberfest. Although quite different, both are outstanding. The Paulaner is a rich amber color, with a very nice toasty aroma and taste. It seems to follow exactly my earlier generic description of an Oktoberfest.
The Hofbrau, on the other hand, is lighter and crisper, with a slightly bitter finish. Hofbrau has its own claim to authenticity, as it is one of a very select group of beers that are actually served at the Oktoberfest in Germany. Without question, it deserves such a stage for consumption.
While summer styles and lagers from Large-American-Beer-Company are crisp and refreshing, they often hold back on the flavor, sometimes to the extreme of wateriness. Hofbrau's flavor, however, without being aggressive or even assertive, is solid beer taste. My roommate said it best: "This is beer."
Final Word: Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen is a textbook Marzen, with fantastic toasty, caramel taste. Hofbrau Oktoberfest is beer. Nothing fancy, but right on the money.
Whether Paulaner or Hofbrau, you will not be disappointed. I bet they taste even better on tap in Germany. 4/5 & 4/5.
Oktoberfests are available just about everywhere, but the selection will dwindle as we approach the winter.
