There is a ton of content out there describing the differences between the Festbier Style and the Marzen. That said, for those unacquainted , here is a brief history: 🏰 Medieval Brewing Laws: Why Märzen Exists at All Before refrigeration, brewing in Bavaria was legally restricted to the cold months (roughly September–April). Warm‑weather brewing was banned because beer spoiled easily and fires from boiling kettles were more common in summer. This created a problem: people still wanted beer...

Summer is here in NC in full force: 100F today with added humidity making it feel like 107F. Time for a nice easy drinking refreshing lager. But not just your average everyday lager - how about something that tastes more like a west coast IPA but is lower ABV and easier to drink several of on a hot summer day? Enter the west coast pils...or india pale lager...or cold IPA...or...what the heck are we supposed to call these beers? I know...how about, delicious! Hoppy lagers are all the rage...

What a beautiful place!