Berkshire Brewing Life on Marzen

Life On Marzen is a Märzen-style lager brewed in Massachusetts and sold as a four-pack of cans. Märzen is the traditional Oktoberfest lager, originally brewed in March and stored cold through summer. Beers in this style usually pour amber to deep copper with a creamy off-white head. Expect a malt-forward profile of bread crust, toasted grain and light caramel, with a clean lager finish rather than fruity ester character. Hop bitterness is typically restrained, in the low-to-moderate range, and mostly serves to keep the malt from tasting sweet. The listing doesn't give an ABV or IBU, but the style generally lands in the mid-5% ABV range, which makes it an easy-drinking, full-flavored lager rather than a heavy one. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 40 to 45°F. Fridge-straight temperatures tend to mute the toasted malt that defines the style. A traditional Oktoberfest stein or a Maß works, as does a dimpled mug or a wide-mouthed pint glass, which gives the head room to build and releases the bready aroma. Pour with a slight tilt, then straighten the glass to finish so the carbonation settles into a proper foam cap. Märzen's malt backbone makes it a natural match for rich, salty or smoked food. Bratwurst, soft pretzels with mustard, roast chicken, pork schnitzel and sauerkraut are the classic pairings, and the beer's carbonation cuts through fat well. It also works with grilled sausages, roasted root vegetables, and aged cheeses such as Gruyère or a mild cheddar. Spicy dishes and very delicate fish are better matched with something lighter. Since the cans come four to a pack, it suits a small autumn gathering or a few evenings of seasonal drinking, and it's best drunk fresh, as lagers lose their malt snap with age.