Oktoberfest beer emerged from Marzen beers that had been around since the sixteenth century originated in Bavaria. Marzen was a spring lager that had a medium to full body, lightly hopped with a bready taste. A version of Marzen began being served at Oktoberfest and this style then began its modern evolution. Many top German breweries made a Marzen for the Oktoberfest and they became known as festbiers.
At the 1872 Oktoberfest, Spaten brewer Josef Sedlmayr introduced the first amber-colored Marzen style beer and it became the Oktoberfest beer we know today. It defined many key characteristics we associate with Oktoberfest beers: biscuity or toast malt flavor, slight spiciness with a lemon hop finish. The malty graininess combined with lemon dry hop finish leaves you ready to drink a LOT MORE. This is the ultimate sessionable beer.