Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Gordon Biersch Märzen

Today's sample is another from the Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose, California.  As for explaining the name of this beer, I'll just quote from the website:

Our most popular beer, Märzen is a smooth, mildly sweet, auburn colored lager.  This beer originates from Barvaria where it was brewed in March ("Märzen" in German) and stored in caves to be enjoyed during warmer weather.  At the end of September, any remaining kegs of Märzen were consumed during the two week celebration which became known as Oktoberfest.

This beer pours with a beautiful amber hue and a nice head that sticks around.  The taste is accented by a wonderfully sweet caramel flavor and a mild hop presence.  It rings in at 5.7% ABV.

My attempt back in January to brew this style was only minimally successful.  My color was way off and the flavor profile is a little too much on the roasted side.  The beer tastes good, but it doesn't fit this profile like I wanted it to.  I'm going to make another attempt at it sometime in the future, probably in March just for nostalgic purposes.  Märzen is traditionally a lager, but since I'm not equipped to ferment a lager properly, I will be making an ale version once again.  I think my switch to the all-grain brewing format will help me properly brew this style in the future...