Dan's Beer Blog: Märzen

Love Oktoberfest beer and can't wait for October? 
Try a Penn Märzen!  

By Dan Cummins

The Penn Brewery is right downtown but you won't have to cross a bridge to try their Penn Märzen because its imported to the North Hills by us here at the Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant.
 

Named after the German word for March (März) this style of beer was brewed in the spring and kept in cool cellars over the summer to be tapped at the beginning of fall to celebrate Oktoberfest as far back as the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese in 1810.  Astute readers may know this as the yearly celebration that has become known as Oktoberfest.  The spring version of the beer is equally as good, and is likewise a delicious beer without a lot of alcohol perfect for a celebration or a drinking session with friends.

Märzen has a sweet aroma of roasted malt with caramel overtones, and the taste of the beer matches.  The complex malt can give a biscuity bready taste and remain sweet and flavorful.

Märzen will pair well with most foods, but the taster should try a chorizo dish (like our chorizo appetizer pictured left or our chorizo burrito) to let the hearty sweetness of the beer cut through the spiciness of the sausage, or the pork colorado to let the rich roasted flavors meld together.

Try the  Penn Märzen at the Inn today and let us know what you think?

Pennsylvania Brewing Company Märzen
Style: Märzen/Oktoberfest
ABV: 5.6%
Beer Advocate Score: 86
Hops:  Perle
Malt:  Two-row, Caramel, Dextrin, Munich, Black malt

About Dan: Shortly after turning 21, Dan famously quipped to friends that he "just didn't like beer very much."  Nearly ten years later Dan has parlayed that general dislike into a passion for the juice of the barley.  He admits that he is no expert, but is more than willing to share with our visitors the knowledge he has gained from sampling hundreds of beers from around the world, visiting breweries, and even making home brews.  Dan has a degree in technical theater from Slippery Rock University and is a relative new comer to the Franklin Inn but we hope he sticks around for awhile. Stop by the Inn and let Dan know your thoughts on his beer choices. He'll be happy to chat with you.