Exhibit A Oktoberfest

Exhibit A's Oktoberfest is a 6% ABV seasonal lager brewed in Massachusetts, and it follows the template of the Märzen-style beers that Oktoberfest celebrations are built around. The listing gives no IBU figure (it is recorded as zero, which almost certainly means "not measured" rather than "unbitter"), so judge bitterness by style: Märzen-type beers are typically restrained in hop character, with just enough noble-hop bitterness to keep the malt from tasting sweet and heavy. Expect the malt to carry the flavor. Beers in this style usually show bready, lightly toasted Munich-malt notes, a hint of caramel or toffee, and a dry, clean finish that comes from lager fermentation. Color usually runs from deep gold to copper-amber. At 6% the body is medium and smooth rather than syrupy, so it drinks easily over a full half-liter. Because this is a seasonal release from a smaller brewery, it is worth drinking relatively fresh while the malt character is at its brightest. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 44 to 48°F (6 to 9°C). Straight from a fridge set near 38°F, give it a few minutes in the glass to open up. The traditional vessel is a stein or a Maß, but at home a Willi-style or stange glass, or a standard nonic pint, works well. All of these hold a firm head and concentrate the toasted-bread aroma. A pour with a steady stream down the side, then a final tilt upright, builds a solid white foam without overfilling. At the table, the style is built for food with salt, fat, and char. Bratwurst, soft pretzels with mustard, roast chicken, pork schnitzel, and sauerkraut all match the malt without fighting it, and the carbonation clears richer bites like potato salad or spaetzle with cheese. Aged Gouda, Havarti, and smoked cheddar are good cheese-board partners, and roasted root vegetables or apple-and-sausage dishes suit the autumn-leaning sweetness of the malt.