The main beer style for the fest to end all fests is a amber/copper confection called Märzen. It has its origins in Bavaria, before the 16th century. A Bavarian brewing ordinance decreed in 1539 that beer may be brewed only between September 29th April 23. The reason for this requirement was the increased danger of fire during the dry summer months.
The original Märzen was described as "dark brown/full-bodied". The beer was often kept in the cellar until late in the summer and the remaining bottles were served at Oktoberfest. The current style is characterized by a medium to full body with a malty flavor and a dry finish. In Germany, the term covers beers which vary in colour from pale (Helles Märzen), through amber to dark brown (Dunkles Märzen). The North American style normally exhibits a stronger hop aroma (not as much as a craft IPA) and bitterness balance. American styles of this beer inlcude Dundee, Leinenkugel and Sam Adams.
Common names for Märzen include Märzenbier, Wiener Märzen, Festbier, and Oktoberfestbier. It is an extremely popular style in many lager-producing countries, and is produced as a seasonal special (usually for the autumn here in the US) by a great many breweries around the world. (and I know for a fact that it is always on tap at the Germany pavilion at Epcot!)
If Märzen is too “festy” for you, there are other great Autumn beers to try out. Many pumpkin flavored lagers are out and about for the next few months. My favorites include Shipyard’s Pumpkinhead, DogFishHead’s “Punk”, Bluemoon's "Harvest Moon" and Shocktop’s Pumkin Wheat beer. Plus, there are huge amount of German imports you can enjoy during this festive time of the year (am I using the word “fest” too much?) Becks, Bitburger, Warstiener just to name a few… Trinksprüch!
