German / Imported Märzens

Considering the beer finder says it's available, I'd be asking questions.

Is it possible they're waiting for "October" to put it on the shelf? Or do they have other Oktos shelved?

 

I’m not sure but I think I’ve seen other ones. And since people are generally aware that Oktoberfest begins in September (or July if you are a brewery) I’d be surprised if they were waiting. I just checked and 10 of the 12 Marzens I’ve reviewed (usually the first time I tried each beer) was in September; the other 2 were in Oktober.

 

I think most beer nerds know that, but you never know who's working the store from year-to-year. "It says October on the label, aren't we supposed to wait?"

You know there are people out there like that -- I've even heard people who adamantly won't buy an Oktoberfest after October because it's not October anymore.

 

Here is another example. The two top pictures likely stem from around 1925-1930s since Edelstoff was launched in 1925. Note the large Märzenbier signage on the wall and the smaller Edelstoff Hell signage to the right of it. Also note the stylized M's on the beer barrels akin to the ones seen in the videos. Then consider the bottom picture of an Augustiner beer waggon ("barrel waggon anno 1901") with barrels marked with E and M. My take would be that this stands for Edelstoff and Märzen and that they use these older markings to go along with the retro theme of the waggon (even though Edelstoff itself wasn't around in 1901).

 

Bonus pic.

 

This might be true in some areas. Around here It's not just beer nerds who know Oktoberfest generally begins in September; I think it's just common knowledge. People read, people travel, etc.

No, in the case of the Seattle area I think something might be up with Ayinger Oktoberfest-Marzen this year. The fact that the distributor is actually located here (which I had forgotten) makes me feel even more strongly that this is probably the case. I'm just generally not the type to call distributors, bother store clerks etc. as, again, one assumes that if a store wants to sell products it has in stock, the most effective way to do this is to put them out on the shelves.

I'm guessing that now that I've taken the time to write about this in this thread, the next time I look for it I'll find cases of the stuff laying around. That's usually how these things seem to work.

 

From your collection?

 

So I decided that I wanted to try this myself. 50-50 blend. It was excellent. The nicest blend I've had in years. The rusty color was beautiful. It's rare that I like a blend more than the components, but I actually liked this better than the Dunkel on it's own... and it had a character that set it apart from a pale lager. I've never been into the Dunkel though, so take that for what it's worth. Loved this combo. Wish I had a glass in front of me now.

@Jacobier10 , I think you'd like this 0.5L glass. @jesskidden , I hope you approve of it too.

 

Nah, they're taken off the internet.

 

Does it taste "traditional" Marzen-like?

 

@steveh to underscore my point (about AWOL Ayinger), I just received my weekly email from one of my favorite beer stores where they list new arrivals etc. They posted this photo in the email. One beer seems to be conspicuously absent...

 

Weird, and not just because of the missing Ayinger -- "new arrivals" showing beers I've seen on shelves for almost 2 months now. I think it's a sign you shouldn't give up hope.

 

I literally just came home with a 4-pack of Ayinger, and it was the first that I saw it this year. I was even getting ready to write it off, but I guess they just played it to come out later than the others.

 

Well if nothing else, the email prompted me to order a few fresh hop beers I've been hoping to try. Another reason this is my favorite beer season of the year I'll ask about Ayinger when I go pick these other ones up.

 

Well, Merchant du Vin is the importer. Some importers also have state wholesale distributor license (where legal) but that does not seem to be the case according to MdV's Washington state distributors list:

I guess you want NW Beverages

 

I remember that report early on saying Ayinger wouldn't be as widespread this year, but right afterward I saw it on a shelf. Was wary of old stock, but it wasn't.

Just strange that it was here sooner than other places.

That said, I've seen nothing of the new Bitburger Okto.

 

Well, it's missing about an inch of beer - snap the crown off another one to top it off! Thanks, tho' - you reminded me that I bought a single 500 ml. bottle of Ayinger October Fest-Marzen over a week ago, but it wound up on the "wrong" shelf in the beer fridge and I keep forgetting about it. So, I just opened it up and.... damn, both my 0.5l willi bechers seem to be "out" - so I picked a Young's Nonic. Hey, we're all NATO members (so far).

 

Just had a bottle of the Bitburger Festbier and of the ones I've had so far this season, I think this is my favorite to date. Nice toasted caramel/toffee/honeycomb flavors upfront, there is a sweetness present, but it never becomes cloying. Nice malt bill and has a bready finish. I hope this survives until the official tasting (got 4 bottles left). Bitburger - please come out with this one every Oktoberfest season and don't fool around with the recipe, it is good 'as is'.

 

I am not sure what has been going on with Ayinger Octoberfest, last year, I didn't see any of the 500ML bottles in my area. A few weeks ago, i went to my usual beer store and to my surprise, they had the 500ML bottles of Ayinger Octoberfest (as well as the 4 packs). I know they go quick, so I snapped up a few bottles (checked the dates, of course) even though I wasn't planning on buying them. I have yet to try one, probably will during the games on Sunday.