ABV: 7.2% | IBU: 22

As much as we all love our autumn pumpkin seasonals, I thought it would be nice to have a little break from the spices and pie references. Instead, we’ll take a look at a Märzen-style seasonal from Aviator, OktoberBeast. This is one of the first Märzen style beers I have ever had, so I think it would be informative to discuss the style more generally before we tackle what stands out about the OktoberBeast.

Historically they were brewed in the month of Märzen (March) and stored cold over the summer before they were cracked open and served during Oktoberfest. They can vary in color from the very light (helles) to the dark (dunkel). The style has many variations owing to its region of origin. Bavaria is reportedly the first to have crafted a Märzen, but Austria and the Czech region picked it up and put their own spin on it.

Thanks to everybody who braved the rain with us on Saturday at Triangle Oktoberfest! We had a blast! Thanks for voting OktoberBeast Best German Oktoberfest

A photo posted by Aviator Brewing Company (@aviatorbrewingco) on Oct 5, 2015 at 11:58am PDT

With its transparent yet deep copper coloring, Aviator’s OktoberBeast is in the middle of the color spectrum while leaning toward the dark side. It smells of malt and caramel, but the sweetness of the taste is not as strong as the scent suggests. You still get the malt, yet there is a noticeable (not overwhelming) quantity of hops for balance. The texture is medium-bodied, and it finishes relatively dry. Thanks to its high ABV (7.2%), it’s somewhat boozy, but with calculated consumption, it shouldn’t make your head roll. So, if you’re in North Carolina and you’ve had enough of the pumpkin parade, consider Aviator’s OktoberBeast. You can find it at restaurants and bottle shops all around North Carolina. For a more exact search, consult Aviator’s beer finder page.

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