Gluten Free Oktoberfest beer
Prost! is the common shout heard around Oktoberfest events, as beer lovers adorned in Lederhosen or Dirndls come together to toast to good health and good beer, with stein glasses full of litres of beer crashing together.
But the literal translation of “Prost” (from the Latin “Prosit”), "May it agree with you" becomes a little ironic when you take into consideration that 11% of Aussies avoid gluten entirely and another 14% choose to avoid it in different situations (25% total) because it doesn’t always agree with them, so can’t enjoy a festbier at Oktoberfest, or any other time.
TWØBAYS are forever on a mission to change this and make sure everyone is included in events like Oktoberfest. Imagine clinking your wine glass, or even a cider with all those steins of crisp refreshing lagers… it’s just not the occasion for anything except a really good German style beer! This October we are sending kegs and cans of Märzen German Lager around the country to ensure no one is excluded from the fun.
Why is it called Märzen?
Märzen (pronounced meer-tzen) or Märzenbier takes its name from the month in which it was traditionally brewed – March. German brewing laws dictated no beer could be brewed between April and September for the sake of quality – a quality control measure due to warmer weather leading to off flavours when brewing with lager yeasts.
Märzenbiers were the last brews of the season, intended to be consumed over the Summer months, lasting into Autumn when brewing could recommence in October, so became the original beers of Oktoberfest. Over the years, the preferred festbier style has shifted to lighter lager styles that make for great sessionable beers, served by the litre. The slightly darker, fuller bodied Märzen style has had a renaissance of late, particularly on the modern craft beer scene.
What does it taste like?
This beer is all about the malts, with toasted bready notes, and very light on the hop profile. It is still very much a lager style, fermented slow and cold giving a clean and crisp finish, but Märzen beers are often brewed with a touch of darker roasted malts offering more colour than a typical light lager would have. A rich amber-orange colour is often associated with the style, preparing your taste buds for a fuller mouthfeel and a beer with more body than modern day light lagers. The beer was the original preferred style for Oktoberfest so is no doubt a highly sessionable brew.
Where can I try it?
Kegs are already making their way to Oktoberfest events and bars around the country (keep an eye out for further announcements).
TWØBAYS Märzen is available in cans as well. Buy direct from our online store, or ask in your local independent bottle shop – and remember, if they don’t already have it, they’ll be happy to order some in for you if you ask.
PROST! (May it agree with you!)
