Time, Effort, and Authentic Ingredients Help Märzens Shine in the Fall

We're firmly in the fall season now, but October is quickly coming to an end. It's an appropriate time to feature a classic Märzen, an iconic beer style that's a hallmark of this month. Malty, yet balanced, and very approachable, a Märzen is the beer style you'd find in each of the massive tents at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Many American craft breweries brew their own versions that measure up to the taste and quality of a German Märzen, and one of them is Fest Devious from Epic Brewing Company. 

Part of what goes into making an excellent Märzen, also commonly known as an Oktoberfest style, is the length of production time compared to many beer styles. As a lager, fermentation happens at lower temperatures than ales, and at a lower speed. Longer storage in the fermentation vessel, or possibly lagering tank, after primary fermentation is also necessary for the yeast to settle out and clean up any unwanted flavor compounds so they don't make it into the finished product. To nail the flavors of a Märzen, the recipe must call for the appropriate types of German malt and varieties of German noble hops, and the right amounts of each. When all the aspects of the brewing process come together, a great Märzen is hard to beat this time of year.

Epic Brewing has facilities in Salt Lake City and Denver, but Fest Devious is brewed primarily at the Salt Lake City brewery and sold for retail in 22-ounce bombers. It pours a rich, clear, copper color with nice carbonation. Munich malts make up the majority of the grain bill, and they really come through in the aroma of bread crusts and molasses. There's no hop presence in the aroma, but the noble hops definitely shine in the flavors. They add a spicy, floral character to complement the prominent malt flavors of caramel, biscuit and nuts. There's a lingering sweetness in the finish, probably more than in most classic Märzen examples, but it doesn't go overboard. Fest Devious is a fine version of a balanced, clean, delicious European amber lager.

You may have had your fill of the Märzen style at Oktoberfest celebrations in late September and throughout October, but if not, you can almost certainly still find bottles of Fest Devious or many beers like it. When you enjoy one, consider the extra time and effort that went into making your beer as authentic as possible.