Highly awarded; sought after by fine restaurants, stores, and great bars . . . and revered by pretty much any one who has tasted it – Ayinger Oktober Fest Märzen arrives in the US soon. Ask for it at your favorite beer place after August 10, 2009.

Munich’s Oktoberfest began in 1810 when Princess Theresa married Prince Ludwig. The party lasted for days, and was such a success that it has become an annual 16-day celebration in Munich as well as in many other parts of the world. (To determine the start date of Oktoberfest, count backward 16 days from the first Sunday in October. In 2009, it starts on Saturday, September 19.)

Starting in the middle of the 19th century, Bavarian breweries began to sell full-bodied, flavorful March (Märzen) beer, brewed and lagered to celebrate this famous Oktoberfest. In September and October, these rich beers fueled German beer festivals — served in big mugs, alongside sauerkraut, roasted meats, lederhosen, and brass bands. In recent years, brewers from outside Bavaria – in other parts of Germany, and all around the world – have borrowed the term “Oktoberfest” as a means of marketing beer: the term turns up on many beers of widely varying flavor, from ales to light lagers, with the only criteria being that they are for sale in the fall.

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen is one of the most highly-respected Märzens available in the world today. Ayinger Brewery, founded in 1878 and located in the Bavarian village of Aying, has earned their reputation for beer of the highest quality. Ayinger always represents a commitment to excellence, which shows up at the World Beer Championships (where Ayinger regularly takes first place in every category entered), or in a consumer poll, or in the delightful Ayinger beer quaffed at your local pub, or even in a discussion between other German brewers.

Oktober Fest-Märzen is an honest Märzen – full-bodied, rich lager with a malty bouquet and a hint of sweetness. Color is deep amber-gold and the flavor is a perfect balance: malt backbone with depth & richness; complemented by perfect conditioning from long maturation; and alcohol of 5.6% by volume. Fest-Märzen is spiced with enough hops to make it snappy and thirst-quenching, but in the classic Bavarian style it’s not highly bitter. Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen shows big bold flavors and clean purity while still maintaining perfect balance: we’ve never tasted any fall beer that can surpass it in comparison. But don’t just take our word for it – try some yourself. Just remember, Oktober Fest-Märzen is seasonal . . . so get it while you can, or you may have to wait until next year.

U.S. packages are the traditional, slender half-liter bottles (20 per case) as well as 30-liter kegs.

ABV: 5.6%; IBU: 21; OG: 1.054

Merchant du Vin imports Samuel Smith from England; Traquair House from Scotland; Ayinger and the organic beers of Pinkus from Germany; and Zatec from the Czech Republic. Our offerings from Belgium include Lindemans lambics, Green’s gluten-free beers, and the Trappist beers of Orval, Westmalle and Rochefort.