Top 10 Märzen / Oktoberfest Beer Brewed in America
The best Oktoberfest beers are characterized by a medium body and broad range of color. They can range from golden to reddish orange. Sweet maltiness should dominate slightly over a clean, hop bitterness. Malt character should be light-toasted rather than strongly caramel. Bread or biscuit-like malt character is acceptable in aroma and flavor. Hop aroma and flavor should be low but notable. ABV: 5.1%-6.0%. IBU: 18-25. This list below comes from the medal winners of the Great American Beer Festival, the U.S. Open Beer Championship and RateBeer.com.
1. Surly SurlyFest – Surley Brewing – Minnesota
2. Das Umlaut – Flix Brewhouse – Indiana
3. Asheville Lager – Wedge Brewing – North Carolina
4. Marzen – Liquid Mechanics – Colorado
5. New Glarus Staghorn Octoberfest Beer – New Glarus Brewing – Wisconsin
6. Oktoberfest – Rahr & Sons Brewing – Texas
7. Great Lakes Oktoberfest – Great Lakes Brewing – Ohio
8. Oktoberfest – Beaver Island Brewing – Minnesota
9. Capital Oktoberfest – Capital Brewery – Wisconsin
10. Lobo Oktoberfest – Pedernales Brewing – Texas