Festbier v. Märzen

I have sampled several Oktoberfest beers recently and think that I have figured out the difference between Festbier and Märzen. Festbier ressembles an Imperial Helles. Märzen ressembles a hoppy Scotish Ale with a clean lager finish and a malty flavor that accentuates toast or biscuit rather than barley or peat. Festbier is lighter, more quaffable, and simpler. Weihenstephaner Festbier is a great example of Festbier and Great Lakes Oktoberfest is a great example of Märzen. What BeerAdvocate says about the two styles follows below.

BeerAdvocate
Festbier is the modern day "Oktoberfestbier" that's served at the official Oktoberfest in Germany, as governed by the Munich city committee. Traditionally, the majority of the beer served was the dark, rich Märzen lagers that we've all come to love and associate with Oktoberfest, but that hasn't been the case since the 1990s. Now, it's all about Festbier, which is a bright and golden beer that's akin to an export-style (slightly stronger and maltier) Helles lager. Paulaner Brauerei is credited with creating the style back in the mid-1970s. According to many sources, their brewmaster wanted to give the people something "more poundable." Gotta love that.

Drinkers can expect Festbiers to showcase a clean, but strong malty backbone, light hop profile, and incredible drinkability.

And you might see the style referred to as Wiesnbier, Wies'n, or Wiesn. The latter is what locals in Munich call Oktoberfest, based on Theresienwiese, which is the meadow/fairgrounds where it's hosted. This is not to be confused with Weissbier, Weißbier, or Weizenbier (wheat beer).

BeerAdvocate

Märzenbier ranges from dark amber to deep copper in color. It's a full-bodied lager that's rich, malty (toasty, bready, biscuity, caramel, roasty), moderately hopped (floral, spicy, herbal), and finishes clean and dry like a good lager should. Alcohol can bite and warm a bit, but overall should be tame.

Historically, Märzen (March in German) was brewed in the spring, lagered in caves (stored cold) during the summer months, and served in the fall. From 1872 to the 1990s, the style was served at, and widely associated with, Oktoberfest in Munich until the lighter Festbier became popular and adopted as the official Oktoberfestbier. That said, brewers around the world still brew "Oktoberfest" and "Fest" beers that lean toward the Märzen style.

Weihenstephaner Festbier

 

Brewer's Notes: A full rich bodied, hoppy, seasonal lager. Especially brewed for the Festbier season. This beer truly represents the Bavarian way of celebrating. Deep gold color, great mouth-feel and lots of flavor. Prost! 

BeerAdvocate

Festbier v. Märzen

Tasting Notes

August 2023

Nov 2022

I am updating the rating. I went back to buy more and keep liking it more and more.

Rating = 5.5 glasses

02 Oct 2022

I am back to really liking the beer. It drinks easy and goes great with food. One bottle calls for another.

Rating = 5 glasses and I thought about 5.5

10 Oct. 2020

With more tastes, I am downgrading the rating to 4 glasses. 

Rating = 4 glasses.

05 Oct. 2020

Festbier is a great Oktoberfest beer. It is light enough to encourage drinking massive quantities and flavorful enough to enjoy every sip and gulp. The more I drink Oktoberfest beers, the more I appreciate ones that are more delicate and quaffable. Festbier fits the bill. 

I like it better than the raters on BeerAdvocate. Some of them complain that the beer is more a Hells or Pilsner than an Oktoberfest beer. I call it good.

Rating = 5 glasses.

Kerkom Reuss

Brewer's Notes: Reuss is produced for the Bink festival. Marc Limet blends the lambic with a less bitter version of Bink Blond (38 IBUs versus 52 IBUs.) Reuss was the name of the first beer brewed at Kerkom in 1878.

BeerAdvocate

Tasting Notes

August 2023: First, a 750 ml bottle cost $5.99 @ Corks and Kegs. I didn't expect much. I didn't get much. The taste matches the brewer's notes - a blend of lambic and blond ales. The taste is an aimless mixture of sour, tart, lemon, sweet, and possibly brett. I am tempted to buy more at the price but think I will stick with two bottles of Stone IPA.

Rating: 2 glasses

Jester King The Weigh-In Montmorency

Brewer's Notes: Montmorency cherries from Michigan were added to mature barrel-aged sour beer and refermented to dryness. 

Tasting Notes

August 2023: I bought a bottle from Corks and Kegs as a treat. I was expected something like a tart Kriek. I am disappointed. The beer has an earthy sourness and, maybe, some tart cherry playing in the background. The earthiness may be oak from the barrels used for aging. The beer is brewed with skill but for the price I want more tart, vinegar, and cherry bite.

Rating: 1.5 glasses.

Stone IPA

Brewer's Notes: One of the most well respected and best-selling IPAs in the country, this golden beauty explodes with citrusy flavor and hop aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character.

The IPA That Launched Generations of Hop Fanatics
First Release: August 1997

By definition, an India pale ale is hoppier and higher in alcohol than its little brother, pale ale—and we deliver in spades. Now one of the most well-respected and best-selling IPAs in the country, this golden beauty explodes with citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. This crisp, extra hoppy brew is hugely refreshing on a hot day, but will always deliver no matter when you choose to drink it.

Packaging Notes: the iconic west coast style IPA.

BeerAdvocate

Tasting Notes

April 2020: Loads of crisp hops bitterness balanced enough for one sip to invite a gulp. A wonderful beer and a great example of the style. 

August 2023: I noticed that I have not updated my review of Stone IPA in over three years. It has become my go-to IPA and one of my favorite beers. At $17.99 for a 12-pack, it is a standard in my refrigerator. I am officially upgrading the rating from 5 glasses.

Rating = 6 glasses.