I Learned Something - Oktoberfest Beer

Question: What makes a beer an Oktoberfest beer?
Answer:  


For starters and Oktoberfest beer is also called a Märzen.  I would guess they are marketed here as Oktoberfest beers because it is more recognizable than Märzen.  Märzens came about way back in the day when they couldn't brew beer in the summer because it was too hot and there was no refrigeration.  They would brew these beers in March (März) with a higher alcohol content and more hops so they would last through the summer being stored in a cellar.  These beers would then be served at Oktoberfest, giving it the more common name.


For more reading, wikipedia to the rescue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marzen

Happy Drinking!