There is no better excuse to visit a brewery than for Oktoberfest. And Northern Virginia’s craft beer community shows up for it every year. Before you go, it helps to know what you’re ordering.
The two styles at the center of the celebration are Märzen and Festbier — and they are not the same thing.
Märzen
Märzen, German for March, is traditionally brewed in early spring and lagered through the summer, emerging in fall as a rich amber lager with toasty bread character, gentle malt sweetness, and a clean, dry finish. It’s what most Americans picture when they think of Oktoberfest, and your local bottle shop’s fall shelf will back that up.
Festbier
Festbier is the modern Munich take. It’s paler, golden, smoother, and a touch lighter. It’s what’s actually being poured in the big tents in Munich today, and it has earned its own devoted following.
Worth noting: Many breweries use these two style names interchangeably, and both often appear simply under the Oktoberfest banner, so don’t get too hung up on the label. Trust your palate.
Locally, you won’t have to look hard to find either variety. NoVA’s craft brewing community embraces the season enthusiastically, with taprooms pouring their own takes on both styles. Several also host full Oktoberfest events complete with steins, traditional food, and the occasional oompah band.
Additional Options
Worth your time this fall: Port City, Lost Rhino, Aslin, Caboose, Black Hoof, Wheatland Spring, Atlas Alexandria, Solace, Audacious Aleworks, and many others.
For those who like to wander to other styles, fall is also a prime season for dark lagers. Dunkels and Schwarzbiers drink far lighter than they look, with roasty, chocolatey notes that feel right for the season without the weight you might expect. For the adventurous, Rauchbiers also appear more in the fall.
Whether you stick with the classics or wander into something new, fall in NoVA has never tasted better.
Charlie Harr is the head judge and competition director of the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and the competition chair for the American Homebrewers Association National Homebrew Competition.
Feature image, karepa/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
