Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Lagers Get Some Love

Vienna Märzen

The classic amber to red lager that was originally brewed in Austria in the 19th century has come to be known as the Vienna style. These are reddish-amber with a very malty, toasted character and a hint of sweetness. This style of beer was adapted by the Munich brewers and in their hands has a noted malty sweetness and toasted flavor with a touch more richness. The use of the term “Märzen,” which is German for March, implies that the beer was brewed in March and lagered for many months. On a label, the words “fest Märzen” or “Oktoberfest” generally imply the Vienna style. Oktoberfest beers have be- come popular as September seasonal brews among U.S. craft brewers, though they are not always classic examples of the German or Austrian style.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 6.3% ABV (11/11)
Old gold color. Aromas of honeyed baguette, peppery hops, dried fruit with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a rich, tangy, seamless earthy, lettuce-like hop finish. A brilliant, elegant märzen.

93 Volksfestbier, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/10)
Golden amber color. Integrated aromas of salty deviled egg, tortilla chip, and dried citrus with a seamlessly carbonation dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, honeyed apple and nut-accented finish. A delicious, appetizing fest beer.

92 Oktoberfest Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Rich amber color. Aromas of peach danish and orange marmalade on toast follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with custard notes. Finishes with a long, interplay of sweet citrus pastry and grassy earthy hop notes. Excellent style and drinkability.

92 Oktoberfest, Lake Superior Brewing (MN). 5.96% ABV (11/09)
Pure copper color. Fruity caramel yogurt and raisin toast aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with sweet roasted grain and toasted pastry notes in fine balance. Finishes with a long, citrusy, earthy, grassy hop-accented fade. A delicious version of Oktoberfest that will work great on the holiday table.

92 Oktoberfest, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5% ABV (11/10)
Pale amber color. Aromas of lemon bread, salted nuts, and orange jelly with a crisp, vibrant and frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a nicely astringent nutskin, honey, and citrusy, earthy hop smack.

92 Voll-Damm Doble Malta Marzenbier, Damm Brewery (Spain). 7.2% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color with a high head. Aromas of soufflé, pepper bread and orange cake with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery, roasted corn and root vegetable and honey-accented finish. Rich and flavorful.

91 Hoptoberfest, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Pure aromas of roasted nuts, brown sugar, and ruby grapefruit follow through on a round, supple entry to a finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with sweet melon and custard notes. Finishes with a grassy, lightly phenolic American and European hop fade. An fun amped up hop take on märzen that is stylistically incorrect but palate-wise very tasty and adventurous.

91 Fairbanks Lager, Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co. (AK). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Rich copper color. Lush caramel nut danish and milk chocolate aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and long, toasty nut fudge, dried citrus and straw finish. Delicious, exquisitely balanced, and fine-tuned for the table.

91 Session Fest, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6.2% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Rich aromas of caramelized fruits and spiced nuts with a supple, finely carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and long, floral orange blossom, grilled sweet potato and lemon grass-like hops. Very nicely articulated and balanced flavors.

91 Oktoberfest, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of honeyed graham crackers, cashews, strawberry milk, and peach marmalade with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, lemon-herb bread and microgreens-like hop finish. Very fresh, tasty and satisfying.

90 Oktoberfest Lager, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Translucent copper color. Dense aromas of chestnut honey, pecan pie, and dates with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a orange buttermilk custard, nutty praline and earthy hop finish. A deliciously balanced combination of fruity malt and noble hops.

90 Märzen Gold, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of butter roasted peanuts and bread toast with a supple, dryish medium body and a roasted sweet potato and apple, honey and radish spout-like hop finish. A great companion for sausages.

90 Brooklyn Oktoberfest, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.5% ABV (12/11)
Copper color. Aromas of citrus gelato, date bread, and herbs with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, praline, pepper and jicama finish. A zesty, tasty food beer.

90 FallFest, Pagosa Brewing Company (CO). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of toasty nut brittle, grilled fruit, and chocolate nuts with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a breezy straw, nutshell and chocolate bar finish.

90 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Golden amber color. Mild aromas of yeasty bread dough, dried fruit, honeycomb, and peanut brittle with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, pure, clean grain, dried citrus and lettuce finish. Nice poundability.

90 Rocktoberfest Lager, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.65% ABV (11/11)
Amber copper color. Bright orange blossom honey butter and nougat aromas with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a zesty peach, orange, and root vegetable-accented finish. A delicious food beer.

89 Oktoberfest, Delafield Brewhaus (WI). 6.3% ABV (11/11)
Aromas and flavors of roasted nuts, Texas toast, and milk chocolate with a supple dryish medium body and a lively, melon and peppery hop-accented finish. Very tasty and balanced.

89 Oktoberfest, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 7.5% ABV (12/11)
Copper brown color. Bright aromas of roasted grain, chocolate, and yams with a supple, frothy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a warming, jicama, chive, peppercorn and dried fruit finish.

89 Gobbler Lager, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Copper brown color. Aromas of dark roasted nuts, burnt sugar, and Black Cow with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a zesty cracked pepper, mocha and lettuce-accented finish. A fun flavorful lager.

88 Shiner Oktoberfest, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 5.7% ABV (11/10)
Deep amber color. Bold peach and orange marmalades and frittata aromas have nice sharp herbal edge. Vibrant and frothy with a chewy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, candied dried citrus fruit and sweet potato finish. Will cut through sausages perfectly.

88 Point Oktoberfest, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.67% ABV (12/11)
Amber color. Aromas of orange soufflé, nut toast, and honey with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp lemon scone and peppery hop finish.

88 Oktoberfest Marzen, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5.7% ABV (11/11)
Rich amber copper color. Lovely aromas of toffee, mocha, and raisin nut toast with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, citrus, spice, sweet potato and grassy hop finish.

88 Oktoberfest Wiesn, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 6% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden yellow color. Mild aromas of honeyed fig and date breads and hushpuppies with a crisp, dryish medium body and a grainy bread, dried peach, blueberry and orange-accented finish. Very tasty and refreshing.

88 Fest Beer, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 5.5% ABV (12/11)
Rich amber color. Aromas of soufflé, pepper bread, and orange blossom honey with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and baked citrus and apple-accented finish. Tasty.

87 Samuel Adams Octoberfest, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (12/11)
Copper color. Aromas of honeycomb, toasted nut brittle, and dried citrus with a crisp, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery radish and grassy hop-accented finish.

87 Stegmaier Oktoberfest, The Lion Brewery (PA). 6.1% ABV (12/11)
Reddish amber color. Aromas of peach, apple, orange, and lemon cake with a crisp, frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium and a tangy, kiwi, nut and radish-accented finish.

87 Cusqueña Red Lager, Unión de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5% ABV (12/11)
Reddish amber color. Aromas of orange soufflé and frosted danish with a supple fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy citrus and buttered brioche finish. Very tasty.

87 Oktoberfest, Frankenmuth Brewery (MI). 5.27% ABV (11/11)
Amber color. Fruity Brach’s caramel aromas with hints of buckwheat honey on rye toast. Soft and frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium body and dried citrus and peach and peppered turnip-accented finish. An easygoing food beer.

86 Oktoberfest, Faust Brewing Company (TX). 7% ABV (11/11)
Bright reddish copper color. Bright aromas of orange marmalade on pepper bread with a supple, chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a touch baking soda, white pepper dust, and grilled turnip on the zesty hops-driven finish. A fun, flavorful hop-forward Octoberfest.

86 Barktoberfest, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 6% ABV (11/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of fresh peanut butter on cherry raisin scone with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, honeyed orange, peach liqueur and peppered kale-like hop finish.

86 Vienna, Theresianer (Italy). 5.3% ABV (12/11)
Rich amber color. Aromas of omelet and honeyed vanilla waffle with a dry-yet-fruity medium and a roasted sweet potato and peppery radish sprout finish.

86 Minhas Oktoberfest, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas and flavors of honeycomb, molasses and chocolate covered apricot with a zesty, frothy fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy, orange and radish-accented finish. Very fruity, lively and pleasant.

85 Oktoberfest, Lancaster Brewing Co. (PA). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of cooked honey, baked peach, nutskin, and buttermilk biscuit follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with molasses and roasted root vegetable and okra notes. Finishes with a crisp, mossy mineral and hay-like hop fade. An earthy, rustic take on an Octoberfest; pair with pot roasts.

84 Oktoberfest, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 5.7% ABV (11/10)
Aromas of yeasty sour dough bread, toasted polenta, and peach yogurt with a soft, slight sour dryish medium with creamed corn and cabbage notes on the fleeting, mossy wet stone-accented finish.

84 Maierfest Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 5% ABV (11/11)
Rich pale amber color. Aromas of ironed rayon, mustard seed and floury raisin corn bread with a crisp, mildly carbonated dryish, medium body and a tangy, apple cider, lemon pepper and arugula snap on the finish.

84 Victoria Lager, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 4.04% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of orange blossom honey on toast with a smooth, frothy, dryish light-to-medium and a tangy apple butter and starfruit finish.

84 Oktoberfest, Northwoods Brewing Corp. LLC (WI). 5% ABV (11/11)
Aromas of salty butter toasted nuts, soy bean, and straw with a crisp, dryish medium body and a creamy citrus custard, leafy veggie and honey finish.

81 Harvest Lager, Mustang Brewing Co. (OK). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of minestrone and dark bread crust with a supple, dryish medium body and a grainy dough, lemon yogurt, and peppery lettuce hop snap on the finish. A rustic table beer.

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