The Schloss Eggenberg Brewery is located in a former Benedictine Monastery in the town of Vorchdorf, north of the Alps in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. The site dates back to the 14th century, with the first records of a brewery operating from 1681 making it one of Europe’s oldest breweries.
Austria is known for its lagers, and in particular Marzen’s which are considered the national beer. They are of course very similar to the Marzen’s Germany has made famous through Oktoberfest, but there is a slight difference. Both are malty, Austrian Marzen are typically lighter in colour than the German style, and often a little sweeter (thanks to the use of caramel malts) that softens out the bitterness.
Our example here ticks all the style boxes. Pouring a pale golden straw colour, the aroma is mildly sweet with some grassy, slightly spicing notes.
Tasting this beer, the word you immediately think of is ‘balanced’. There is an initial sweetness from the malt that gently melds with a moderate hop bitterness. The beer is just so easy to enjoy, which makes it just as well that this beer comes in a nice big 500ml can for our enjoyment!
A smoked Marzen style beer from this little artisanal brewery in Upper Franconia
The beer brewed to celebrate the anniversary of the Weltenburg monastery brewery
