The Märzenfest Story

Seasonal Celebration

Unknown to most Americans are the numerous local festivals held in small towns all year round by the town itself, by fraternal organizations, or by the local breweries to celebrate a historical event, a patron saint’s feast day, a holiday or to just celebrate the season. Some of the seasonal celebrations include Frühlingsfest, Maifest, Sommerfest, Oktoberfest, Winterfest and, of course, Märzenfest.

Origin

The origin of Märzenfest is tied to the more well-known festival of Oktoberfest. Without going through the long and fascinating history of beer in Germany, suffice to say that in 1553, summer brewing was outlawed by Duke Albrecht V in Bavaria (Some sources say there was a similar Bavarian ordinance in 1539). The authorities were always worried about the supply of healthy summer beer. They had learned that cold fermentation yielded a purer beer with better keeping qualities. However, the motive was not quite as pure as it seems. It was mired in politics, taxation and bureaucratic bribery. There’s also the consideration that brewery fires were more catastrophic and a danger to the whole town in the summer. The official brewing season was therefore restricted to between St. Michael's Day (September 29) and St. George's Day (April 23). Basically, Märzenfest (named after the month of March, März) is a celebration of Spring and the completion of a successful brewing season. Oktoberfest (named after the month of October) is a celebration of the return of the brewing season. Both reasons were as good as any to have a Bierfest (Beerfest).

Märzen

The beer brewed in March that was put into cold storage (lagered) for consumption in the “no brew” season (until the new beer was ready in the late Fall) was called Märzen or Märzenbier, a malty dark moderately strong brew. This is the beer that was originally consumed during Oktoberfest; supposedly to make room in the vats for the new beer. The recipe for this beer changed with time, fashion and technology; especially with advances in refrigeration. Today the beer consumed at Oktoberfest is not actually a Märzen, but a special lighter brew or Helles called Oktoberfestbier, Märzenfestbier, or just Festbier. In recent times, breweries in Germany and America have resurrected Märzen (the 1872 version, a modified Vienna Lager) as a style of beer to be consumed all year round. Although the beer consumed at Oktoberfest was originally only Märzen, the beer enjoyed at a Märzenfest could be any number of styles. The breweries had worked overtime to produce the lighter summer beers as well as the Märzen, both of which were starting to be released in early Spring. The month of March was also a time of Lent when the bocks, doppelbocks, and other strong winter beers were still being consumed. (To the delight of the monks at monastery breweries, Doppelbock, a liquid bread, was sanctioned by the Pope as an acceptable drink during Lenten abstinence.) The strong beers were readily available this time of year as evidenced by the traditional Munich “Starkbierzeit,” a strong beer festival, still held today for two weeks in March. So, what was the preferred Märzenfest beer? That depended mainly on the local town brewery or breweries and, more importantly, how nice the weather was during the Fest. A warm Spring day would, of course, favor the lighter beers.

Ein Prosit

Ein Prosit is the title of the official German drinking song. The song only has four words: "Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Der Gemütilchkeit! Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Der Gemütilchkeit!" (many times in the singing the article “Der” is dropped.) At a beer fest like Oktoberfest the people sing it about every fifteen minutes in the beer hall or tent. "Prost" is a common German toast, the way we may say "Cheers!" It is a shortened version of the word "Prosit," which a German/English dictionary may translate as simply "good." But that's not good enough. "Prosit" in its Latin root literally means "May it benefit you.” "Gemütlichkeit” (pronounced \gə-ˈmuet-liḵ-ˌkīt ) is the official motto of sorts of a German Fest. It doesn’t translate fully into English but its root meaning is “coziness.” German Bier Fests certainly are “cozy” especially with thousands of people packed like sardines in a tent. Gemütlichkeit also has the meaning of public festivity, camaraderie, goodwill and cheerfulness. When the song is over, the (optional) spoken toast begins immediately. It goes like this:“Oans, zwoa, drei, Gsuffa!” (Translation: “One, two, three, guzzle!”) To quote our own Benjamin Franklin,” Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” So, grab your favorite beer (light or dark, lite or strong), give thanks to the Almighty and toast “der Gemütlichkeit” of the Märzenfest. Prost!