Dezemberfest
Territorial Brewing Company

Märzen, sometimes called Oktoberfestbier, is maltier and a little darker and stronger than a pilsner. Before artificial refrigeration, the brewing season in Munich went from October to March, when temperatures were less favorable for bacteria which would spoil the beer. März is German for March, when Märzen was brewed. Brewers worked overtime to produce an extra strong, more hopped beer to last through the summer months. When summer was over and it was safe to resume brewing again, breweries needed to make space for new beer. Thus, Oktoberfest was the perfect time to sell and consume the remaining stock of Märzen beer. Our Märzen is a little stronger than a traditional Oktoberfestbier so we named it Dezemberfest. It’s as great and refreshing in the cold winter months as it is during Oktoberfest.