German / Imported Märzens

Look up Bavarian or Tyrolean hat. Never bought one for myself because I didn't want to insult all the old guys who looked like they earned them the hard way.

 

Apologies, I just saw some screwballs in that 1929 film that do look like they've stuck ostrich feathers in their caps! Never saw decoration like that on my trips.

Badger tail looks cooler.

 

You know, I watched it again and thought "damnation that's a feather" but I appreciated the cultural tidbit, so no apologies necessary. At least one of my ancestors emigrated from Bavaria and it somehow feels like home when I come across stuff like this.

Plus, I felt like it was derailing the thread, so... had a Spaten Oktoberfest this evening. Good clean, malty flavor, with a date of 2/2021. I'll post more about it in 2 weeks.

 

Finally cracked one open. I thought the initial head was pretty normal, but the retention was pretty short lived. Although it isn’t gone entirely after a few minutes and a couple drinks, it did dissipate to this in probably less than 2 minutes with a fairly solid pour.

The body still feels about right though.

 

I had my first Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen this weekend and really liked it. It's right up there with Ayinger in the maltier styles for me. Carbonation seemed fine to me.

 

I was able to get a 6 of Hacker/Pschorr Oktoberfest Marzen this morning. I also bought Bitburger's Oktoberfest Beer. No Ayinger yet in Eastern Tennessee (Will see if I can locate a few bottles)

 

Judging by what my relatives tell me you are lucky to get any beer at all there.

 

In my area, selection is often good. Total Wine has a very nice selection in Knoxville. This year is the most brands of German Oktoberfest biers I've been able to buy, so far they've been:

Spaten
Warsteiner
Paulaner
Hacker-Pschorr
Bitburger

Last year Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, and Ayinger were my German choices.

 

A German restaurant near me actually bothered to list that option on their menu (at least I assume that’s what they mean... I haven’t been there yet).

(cue the White Claw jokes )

 

Wait, what does that mean? Mix Both (Fest)? They trying to tell us if you mix a Helles and a Dunkel you get a Fest?

 

Let us know how that works out for you. Might have to experiment with ratios. Then again HB Fest is 6.3 and the Helles and Dunkel are mid 5s, aren't they?

 

Vienna Lager?

 

OK folks, I'm starting to panic. It's now mid-September and I have yet to see my favorite Märzen, Ayinger. I haven't scoured the 14 pages of this thread yet; are other people finding this beer stateside this year?

I do remember really enjoying the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen as well, but that one generally seems limited to specialty shops and I haven't yet been going that far out of my way—but I will if I have to.

 

Fresh Ayinger is on shelves in Northeastern Illinois. Not that it helps you, but at least you know it's stateside.

Isn't Ayinger's importer based in WA state? Merchant du Vin? Get on the horn!

@draheim

 

Well it should be around at many of the places I've been looking, according to their Find Our Beer page. I sent MDV an email, my preferred communication method. If I don't hear from them within a few days (or start seeing this at any of the usual spots) I'll give them a call.

 

Have you queried those in charge at the retailers?

 

No, so far I’ve just been checking the beer aisle while on grocery runs. It’s usually out on shelves by now. I assume if they want to sell products they have in stock to consumers they’ll make it as easy as possible. There’s one market in particular where the beer/wine person is usually right nearby, I’ll ask them next time I’m over there.

 

There was a post about it being less available this year. Couldn't say if that was true or not. It did show up by me.