Marzen Ale?

[wortchillergoal]

I went in to a Winn Dixie in Fl and saw this beer. I had a hard time getting info on it. It appears according to Beer Advocate that it is a contract brew for them. It is called Cable Car and it seems it is being made by City Brewing of Lacrosse , MI.

It said it was a Marzen Ale. Using Google and Ask I did fine a couple of hits for marzen ale. Every thing else was to my train of thought that marzens are bottom fermented. Anyone have any input as to Marzen Ale?

I did not buy it due to this fact. I see that the other beers made for WD by this brewery seemed well received.

[BigEd]

Could be made with ale yeast or it could be called an ale due to ignorant state alcohol laws. Some states, I think Texas is one, by law have any beer above a certain ABV labeled as ale regardless of its' true style.

[munich1]

I just recently noticed, w/ Hacker-Pschorr's new labels/packaging, that their Oktoberfest is labeled an ale. I was also told it was due to states like Texas and their silly abv laws. I guess you can label a lager an ale and that makes everything OK.

[steveh]

Originally posted by munich1
I was also told it was due to states like Texas and their silly abv laws.

Yep. Ale doesn't mean a thing other than ABV percentage in some states -- ignorant information from the past.

Though I'll bet City is brewing an Amber Ale and just calling it a Märzen as marketing -- 'tis becoming the season, and ales are easier and faster to brew -- Goose Island didn't make an Oktoberfest this year, opting instead to make a "Harvest Ale" to save time and move the product from fermenter to bottle/keg faster.

In it's original definition, Märzen (German for of-March) was the label for any beer brewed in the month of March -- traditionally, and pre-electric refrigeration, the last month of brewing before the wild spores of Spring filled the air (and could ruin a beer). All brewing ceased until Autumn.

These days, Märzen has become a definition for a malty, amber lager because the original amber Oktoberfest style beers were Märzens. Of course, the darker brews served before the ambers were technically Märzens too, but now I'm starting to sound like an Alton Brown TV show...

S.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by steveh
Yep. Ale doesn't mean a thing other than ABV percentage in some states -- ignorant information from the past......In it's original definition, Märzen (German for of-March) was the label for any beer brewed in the month of March -- traditionally, and pre-electric refrigeration, the last month of brewing before the wild spores of Spring filled the air (and could ruin a beer). All brewing ceased until Autumn.

These days, Märzen has become a definition for a malty, amber lager because the original amber Oktoberfest style beers were Märzens. Of course, the darker brews served before the ambers were technically Märzens too, but now I'm starting to sound like an Alton Brown TV show...

S.

That could be it as WD is in a variety of states where I have seen that odd labeling law mentioned before. I learned of the March thing in my research.

Please steveh, continue to sound like an Alton Brown tv show. You pass on mmuch great and useful information in a pleasing to read way.

[steveh]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
Please steveh, continue to sound like an Alton Brown tv show.

Should I start to refrain from shaving too much and get some tortoise shell hornrims too? ;)

S.

Don't tell anyone, my GF thinks Brown is a schmoe!

[rlkbaylor]

St Arnolds Okto is brewed with an Ale yeast. Now I know its not officially an Okto, but thats what they call it.

looks like it falls into one of the Scottish Ale categories at the GABF.

I know its early, but I couldnt resist buying St Arnolds Okto, saw it in the store on Sunday. Havent had one yet, its still too hot, but I like knowing its in my fridge should I get the urge.

here's a description of the St Arnolds Okto:

http://www.saintarnold.com/beers/oktoberfest.html

[steveh]

Originally posted by rlkbaylor
looks like it falls into one of the Scottish Ale categories at the GABF.


Well, since the original Oktoberfest Amber beer was inspired by the English ESB, a Scottish ale might not be too far off -- but even a Scottish ale doesn't rise beyond 5% ABV (traditionally stylistic).

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by rlkbaylor
St Arnolds Okto is brewed with an Ale yeast.

BTW -- their "History & Trivia" is waaay off the mark. The Oktoberfest celebration evolved from the wedding of Theresa and Leopold, but beer consumed was the every day beer available at the time. It wasn't until 1872, 62 years after the wedding, that Josef Sedlmayer introduced the first amber lager (a lighter beer for the time) to the fest -- when the traditional Munich Dunkel ran out because of a long, hot summer! So the brewmasters of the day never claimed to brew a beer special for the wedding. The current-day Oktoberfest-Märzen was more of a happy accident than anything.

S.

[HogieWan]

steve, I figured you would have blasted them for this:

Malt: We blended three different types of Munich-style malt to provide a rich caramel flavor.

[steveh]

Originally posted by HogieWan
steve, I figured you would have blasted them for this:

Ehh, they lost me at "Oktoberfest ale."

S.

[Lee]

Taste the beer. Does it taste like an ale or lager? So far I havn't tasted anything that I couldn't tell if it was bottom fermented or top. If you can't tell the difference then send me a six pack of the beer in question. Enclose $5.00 for my trouble. I will give you my amature opinion as to what the beer is. No guarantee as to my accuracy. For information about my services call BR549. Lee

[steveh]

Originally posted by Lee
So far I havn't tasted anything that I couldn't tell if it was bottom fermented or top.

Have you tried Smithwick's lately? It calls itself an ale, but it's awfully clean to my palate (which isn't to say I doubt your palate, just that I doubt Smithwick's claim of top fermentation).

S.

[Lee]

Originally posted by Lee
Taste the beer. Does it taste like an ale or lager? So far I havn't tasted anything that I couldn't tell if it was bottom fermented or top. If you can't tell the difference then send me a six pack of the beer in question. Enclose $5.00 for my trouble. I will give you my amature opinion as to what the beer is. No guarantee as to my accuracy. For information about my services call BR549. Lee
I will give it a try and let you know what I think. I have seen it in the stores here, but never tried it. Lee

[Lee]

Originally posted by steveh
Have you tried Smithwick's lately? It calls itself an ale, but it's awfully clean to my palate (which isn't to say I doubt your palate, just that I doubt Smithwick's claim of top fermentation).

S.
I hit the wrong quote button. This is the one I meant to hit. Lee