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Märzen
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
- United States
- Style:
- Märzen
Ranked #288 - ABV:
- 5.7%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #25,995 - Avg:
- 3.64 | pDev: 13.46%
- Reviews:
- 306
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 15, 2023
- Added:
- Dec 07, 2001
- Wants:
- 20
- Gots:
- 120
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good


Notes:
Our most popular beer, Märzen (Maert-zen) is a smooth, mildly sweet, auburn colored lager. This beer originated from Bavaria, where it was brewed in March (Marz in German) and stored in caves to be enjoyed during warmer weather. At the end of September, any remaining kegs of Märzen were consumed during the two week celebration which became famous as Oktoberfest. We hope you'll enjoy it year round.
18 IBU
18 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York
3.94/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the Detroit International Airport.
This one pours a golden brown color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.
This smells like slightly sweet bready malt, caramel, and slightly spicy hops.
For a “big brand” marzen, this is pretty solid. It’s got a restrained sweetness, a nice spicy and lightly bitter hop character. There’s caramel and a nice toasty breadiness to this one.
This is medium bodied, and quite drinkable, with a slight creaminess.
Even though this was bought at an airport and was $17, this still managed to be enjoyable.
May 15, 2023This one pours a golden brown color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.
This smells like slightly sweet bready malt, caramel, and slightly spicy hops.
For a “big brand” marzen, this is pretty solid. It’s got a restrained sweetness, a nice spicy and lightly bitter hop character. There’s caramel and a nice toasty breadiness to this one.
This is medium bodied, and quite drinkable, with a slight creaminess.
Even though this was bought at an airport and was $17, this still managed to be enjoyable.
Rated by davidward from Florida
3/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A decent Marzen.
Nov 14, 2020Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
3.73/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I used to really like this beer as a twenty one year old living in San Jose and before the craft beer craze. Got to go on a tour and it was my favorite beer tour of all time. The workers were great, gave us samples of beer just brewed and before it was filtered, gave us a six pack to go. Life long fan.
May 16, 2020Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.6/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.6/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Sometimes life is funny. I think I've been drinking this beer since the mid 90s. Somehow made it over 4000 reviews though without reviewing it.
Anyways, she's a pretty marzen, prototypical appearance, deep amber color, 3/4" off white head, amazing retention. If you don't like this beer, don't let it be for its appearance, because I don't know how one could see it as anything less than really good. Had all the malty aroma of style. You know all the normative descriptors: caramel.
Taste is a smooth malty experience. Not for hopheads. But definitely for that person you drink with (or are trying to bang) that doesn't like bitter beer. For a lager yeast its pretty much a non entity. Doesn't do anything good nor bad relatively speaking. Its just a mild malty beer that has been pretty consistent all these years. Alternate toffee and caramel waves of grain. Very light sweetness to it when it warms. Its not for your nerdy collector 54 bottle count release friend, but it is for the one who might be more fun to be around.
Nov 20, 2019Anyways, she's a pretty marzen, prototypical appearance, deep amber color, 3/4" off white head, amazing retention. If you don't like this beer, don't let it be for its appearance, because I don't know how one could see it as anything less than really good. Had all the malty aroma of style. You know all the normative descriptors: caramel.
Taste is a smooth malty experience. Not for hopheads. But definitely for that person you drink with (or are trying to bang) that doesn't like bitter beer. For a lager yeast its pretty much a non entity. Doesn't do anything good nor bad relatively speaking. Its just a mild malty beer that has been pretty consistent all these years. Alternate toffee and caramel waves of grain. Very light sweetness to it when it warms. Its not for your nerdy collector 54 bottle count release friend, but it is for the one who might be more fun to be around.
Reviewed by mothmanscott from Georgia
3.68/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From notes 10/31/11: Bronze in color this brew is mildly hoppy yet quite malty in aroma and flavor with a crisp, dry finish. Very pleasant and an old favorite of this brewery.
Nov 20, 2019Rated by sokol_1993 from California
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A tad too sweet compare to other Marzen, as well as lacking the metallic taste.
Mar 03, 2019Reviewed by CaptainHate from Ohio
3.44/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.44/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Stopped at San Jose airport Brewpub and thought I'd try it even though it's way out of season (although in this terrain all bets are off). I hate to say this but it comes off as an old beer: small head and almost no carbonation. Smell was lacking and taste was ok but lacking in the type of caramel malts that I've come to expect from American versions of this style. I probably should've chosen the seasonal blonde bock.
Feb 13, 2019Reviewed by Helluvaz from California
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Drank over tap in restaurant
Good oktoberfestbier with a beautiful amber color. Scent of malt is the first thing I noticed on this beer. Personally, I enjoyed this beer a lot. Not too much thinking in the drinking process, I just drank large chugs, muy bien.
Dec 09, 2018Good oktoberfestbier with a beautiful amber color. Scent of malt is the first thing I noticed on this beer. Personally, I enjoyed this beer a lot. Not too much thinking in the drinking process, I just drank large chugs, muy bien.
Reviewed by Parmesan from Colorado
3.52/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L:. Pours a clear copper gold color with a medium white head and very little lacing on the glass.
S:. Notes of sweet apple, caramel and toffee, with a very light floral hop.
T: Sweet apple, caramel and toffee, a slight baked bread taste.
F:. Medium body smooth carbonation.
O:. This is a pretty standard marzen.
Dec 08, 2018S:. Notes of sweet apple, caramel and toffee, with a very light floral hop.
T: Sweet apple, caramel and toffee, a slight baked bread taste.
F:. Medium body smooth carbonation.
O:. This is a pretty standard marzen.
Rated by Azdirtmover from Arizona
3.58/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Does what it’s supposed to do for a medium price and available all year for when I get the wants in late spring/early summer
Nov 18, 2018Reviewed by WanderingRonin from Canada (AB)
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear with a dark reddish auburn color with brown chestnut highlights, served with a nice two fingers of solid white head that had a good retention to it. Light but malty nose with a faintly nutty hint to it. Flavor was nicely malt forward with a mild sweetness and caramel and biscuit flavor to it, as well as faint nutty, toffee hints, body feels medium/ light with an average amount of carbonation to it and a nice smooth mouthfeel to it, easy drinking and not to heavy. Finish is lightly bitter with a light balancing touch of faintly noble hop back-end that still leave a faintly lingering caramel sweetness on the aftertaste. Not a bad example of a Märzen
Jun 28, 2018Rated by omahawk from Nebraska
3.77/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Solid traditional Marzen.
Jun 27, 2018Rated by ivla0268 from California
4.65/5 rDev +27.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.65/5 rDev +27.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm big on malty beers, and this beer is just great with any burger and or sport event with a side of nachos.. or for chilling around.
Jun 20, 2018Reviewed by Brolegario from Nevada
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Beautiful deep amber with an off white white head. Decent retention. Aromas include dried fruits and roasted nuts. Notes of catamel. Upon taste the malts are the star of the show. Some hints of molasses. Not too heavy in the mouth with a light bitter finish. Would go great with some street tacos.
May 06, 2018Reviewed by Jbbdrinker from Texas
4.34/5 rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Begins with a sweet malt smell and short, sharp carbination. Deep copper color with an off white head. It has a medium body, but with an ample bread-like malt backbone. Hops are bitter and do a nice job of balancing the liquorice flavored malt.
Mar 16, 2018Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Had a 4 Black Friday growler of the week coupons given to me by a friend recently so i picked up a Marzen growler 2-26-18 that i shared with another friend at the Coyotes-Senators game on 3-3-18.
Beer poured amber with a solid off white head with the initial pour.
Nose was toasted malt forward.
Taste was on the sweeter side that is toasted malt and nutty forward but with a decent amount of hops to keep the sweetness at bay.
Mouthfeel was light to medium bodied and fairly refreshing.
Overall a nice lager and a good change of pace from IPAs and Stouts.
Mar 04, 2018Beer poured amber with a solid off white head with the initial pour.
Nose was toasted malt forward.
Taste was on the sweeter side that is toasted malt and nutty forward but with a decent amount of hops to keep the sweetness at bay.
Mouthfeel was light to medium bodied and fairly refreshing.
Overall a nice lager and a good change of pace from IPAs and Stouts.
Rated by Tom_Hoover from Texas
4.87/5 rDev +33.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.87/5 rDev +33.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
smooth taste.
Aug 02, 2017Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas
3.77/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had it while visiting New Orleans. On tap into a 0.25l glass, nice golden orange color. Good head and lacing. Nice bready smell and taste with an agreeable sweetness. Nice beer.
Jul 23, 2017
Märzen from Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
812 ratings
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