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Health & Fitness

Oktoberfest Beers to Celebrate Fall

Technically, Oktoberfest beers are beers that must be brewed within the city limits of Munich. Those are the only breweries who are allowed to participate in the annual Munich Oktoberfest celebration in late September to early October. All other beers brewed similarly, but not in Munich, must be labeled Oktoberfest-style beers.

In spite of their name, Oktoberfest beers are not brewed in the fall. These beers are actually 'spring beers' and brewed in March, which is why they are often called Märzen biers.

About 500 years ago, brewers in Bavaria had difficulty controlling the quality of beers that were produced in the summer. They tasted sour and medicinal.  By trial and error (and a lot of sampling), they figured out beers made between early October and the end of March tasted clean and refreshing. Today, we understand it is the cold weather of winter and spring that inhibited the growth of microbes that spoiled their beers. 

The industrious Bavarians ramped up production of their  beers during the cooler weather and placed them in casks in ice-filled caves. Any surplus beer was consumed in late September before the new production started.  Oktoberfest beers are usually well-aged, are a deep amber color and have an alcohol content of 5-6.2%.

Today, September 27th from 4-7, Mo's Wine & Spirits is having a tasting of German Oktoberfest beers.

Mo's Wine & Spirits has a great selection of Oktoberfest and Oktoberfest-style beers. Here are just a few favorites.

Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen
Hofbräu München Oktoberfestbier
Brooklyn Oktoberfest

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