This week I am taking a break from my normal craft beers to give you a beer review on a category will be consumed by the millions of gallons over the next few days and weeks. That is right, by the time you read this it will be less than 12 hours until Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany kicks-off! And there is not time like this weekend to review one of my all-time favorite beers, this weekend Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu’s Spaten Oktoberfestbier Ur-Märzen (aka Spaten Oktoberfest) is What’s on Tap!
Yes, I know it is September but Oktoberfest runs from the last two weeks of September and ends just after the first weekend in October. And Spaten’s Oktoberfest is the world’s first Oktoberfest Märzen. As Spaten pours it is a nice auburn-ish color. It’s aroma is full of German malty characteristics, a nut like bready-ness to it that also has some subtle sweetness (I am betting the this too is from the malt). The taste is very similar to its aroma, sweet, nutty, breadiness, that contains a sweet caramel / toffee notes within each sip. On the backend you get a wonderful toasted flavor that reminds you of the fall.
What else do you pair a true Oktoberfest beer with other than grilled brats!? Whether you are tailgating or watching football at home beer and brats is always a winner. Do yourself a favor and before throwing the brats on the grill boil them just a bit in the Spaten and the flavor will be ridiculously good! So cheers to the weekend, Oktoberfest, and delicious German brews!
Cheers!
Beer Stats:
Style: Märzen
Alcohol by Volume: 5.9%
Color: Copper / Auburn
Original Gravity: 13.7%
Bitterness (IBU): 23
Beer Review Stats:
Beer Advocate: 81 and 86
Rate Beer: 73
