Thankfully this September isn’t going to be about which brewery is releasing a pumpkin-inspired beer. Instead we prefer to expect beers inspired by a certain festival in Munich.

The month on the Calendar may read August but that shouldn’t stop you from thinking about September and Oktoberfest.

So this beer is from Germany right?

Actually no.

Like many lagers, brewed outside Europe, this beer carries the asterisk of ‘style’. But that hasn’t stopped Left Hand’s head brewer Ro Guenzel from reflecting on his experiences brewing for HRH Prinz Luitpold of Barvaria. In fact Ro has developed what he calls a “… complex yet balanced Oktoberfest that has become an annual cult favorite.”

Left Hand’s thoughts on Oktoberfest Märzen Lager

Pouring a brilliant copper in color, the märzen lager entices the imbiber with notes of warm biscuit reminiscent of home and fall tradition. Oktoberfest begins with the toasty sweetness of the malt up front while the noble pedigree hops allow for a dry crisp finish at 6.6% ABV.

The Oktoberfest label features traditional German elements with the modern treatment as a part of Left Hand’s packaging redesign with Moxie Sozo. The blue and white color checkered pattern as well as the featured lions, are a tribute to the state of Bavaria. Moreover, the prominent gold ring is a history buff’s nod to the marriage of Prince Ludwig & Princess Therese for which the celebration of Oktoberfest originates. Finally, Head Brewer Guenzel’s silhouette is blended in the left side of lion’s mane, a signature feature of many of Left Hand’s beer labels.

Style: Märzen lager

ABV: 6.6%

Malt: Munich and Pilsner

Hops: Magnum and Spalter Select

(12 ounce) six packs and draft versions of Oktoberfest, wherever you find Milk Stout and other Left Hand beers. As always if you can’t find it near your ask your grocer or server to buy some!

Cheers

About Left Hand Brewing Co.

Living here in our great state requires great balance – there’s just simply too much to do! Soak in over 300 days of sunshine a year. Catch a show at Red Rocks. Climb to the top of 14,255’ Longs Peak. Catch an Avs or Rockies game. Drop into some fresh powder at A-Basin. Tee up on the first hole at Haystack Mountain. Fly fish the South Platte. With so many choices, how does one manage? We sum it up all in one word: balance.

Too much of any one activity leaves you missing out on another, always wondering if the other was better. A healthy dose of all things in a balanced way keeps your right brain feeling good and the left brain knowing it’s all good. We believe the same to be true with craft beer. Everyday we strive for that perfect balance between malt and hops, from our lightest to our darkest—allowing a unique flavor experience in every bottle. From a golden crisp Polestar Pilsner to a roasty, black Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout, our balanced portfolio of handcrafted ales & lagers will keep your mind and your palate in a happy state of equilibrium. Now, we can talk about our beers all day, but we’d rather sit back and drink one with you. Next time you’re in town, swing by our Tasting Room for a tour, a few pints, and a great deal of balanced befuddlement about life. See you soon!