Stefansbräu Märzen
Brewery: Stefansbräu
Town: Wilhelmshöhe (Dinkelsbühl)
Style: Märzen
Color: unfiltered amber
Head: off-white, creamy
Nose: malty
Body: medium
Palate: balanced, fruity, some spice, underlying hops
Finish: lingering, dry, semi-bitter
Served: on tap at Zur Schleuse
Impression: While it looks the part of a Märzen, this continues in the direction of very dry Dinkelsbühl beers I’ve encountered on this trip. There’s a slight spiciness but otherwise hops are at the forefront of this traditionally malt forward style. I’m not sure this is a Märzen but I enjoy its dry hoppy palate and dry semi-bitter finish. I’ve just recently drunk the bottle I picked up and it’s much maltier with more of the typical spiciness of a Märzen. That said, it’s still much hoppier and dries than is typical. I would say it’s a Märzen but a new breed version and one which should be embraced as it would likely save the style from the extinction it was looking to face.
