Brew Oktoberfest Beer: Your Märzen Recipe
The quintessential festival beer — Märzen is an amber lager with rich malt character. Create your Märzen recipe for your own Oktoberfest.
Typical Ingredients for Märzen / Oktoberfest
Malts
- ● Pilsner malt
Hops
- ● Saaz
- ● Hallertau Mittelfrüh
- ● Tettnanger
Yeast
● Lager yeast (e.g. W-34/70, S-23)
What is a Märzen / Oktoberfest?
Rich, malty, amber with toasted bread character
An amber, malty German lager with a clean, rich, toasty, bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a well-attenuated finish.
FAQ: Märzen / Oktoberfest
What is a Märzen / Oktoberfest?
An amber, malty German lager with a clean, rich, toasty, bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a well-attenuated finish.
How much alcohol does a Märzen / Oktoberfest have?
A Märzen / Oktoberfest typically has 5.6–6.3% ABV. Original gravity ranges from 1.054–1.06, final gravity from 1.01–1.014.
How bitter is a Märzen / Oktoberfest?
A Märzen / Oktoberfest has 18–24 IBU (International Bitterness Units). This is moderate bitterness.
What ingredients do you need for a Märzen / Oktoberfest?
Typical malts: Pilsner malt. Typical hops: Saaz, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger. Yeast: Lager yeast (e.g. W-34/70, S-23).
Do you need special equipment for a Märzen / Oktoberfest?
Yes, a Märzen / Oktoberfest is a lager and requires fermentation at 8–12°C (46–54°F). You'll need a fermentation fridge or cool cellar.