Festbier is the modern German beer served at traditional Oktoberfests (and fests of all kinds, really). Since we are not in Germany, and since we host our own fests, we figured it was about time for us to commemorate the harvest season with a proper festbier. Plus we wanted to pour something else at our annual Chugtoberfest event outside of Chug Life, something a bit more traditional, with more graham cracker and caramel in the body but with the same refreshing finish.
Marz Octoberfestbier is a smooth, clean, pale German lager with a moderately strong malt flavor and light hop character–the perfect companion for a mouthful of spaetzle, schnitzel, or Bavarian pretzel. Really any of the German foods that end in “l(e).” Sorry, Schnitzengruben; also, you don’t exist.
Our festbier deftly balances strength and drinkability, with a palate impression and finish that encourages drinking it over and over. It showcases premium pilsner malt and toasted malted oats from Haus Malts in Ohio without becoming too heavy or filling, and a touch of old world red wheat for some crispy-boy crackle.