Märzenbier is one of Germany’s great seasonal lager traditions — a rich, amber-hued, malt-forward brew historically brewed in March and lagered through summer to be ready for the Oktoberfest celebrations in September and October. This recipe kit captures the essence of that tradition: a full-bodied Bavarian lager built on Muntons Munich Malt extract, with a beautiful light reddish amber colour, genuine malt sweetness, a clean Noble hop bitterness, and the smooth, satisfying finish that proper cold fermentation produces. It’s a beer with real history behind it and real quality in the glass — and brewing it yourself is one of the most satisfying projects a lager lover can take on.

Why brewers love this kit

What makes this Märzenbier stand apart is the malt. Muntons Munich Malt is kilned at higher temperatures than standard pale malt, developing a deeper colour and an intense, rich maltiness, toasty, biscuity and warming that forms the backbone of the style. The Bavarian Lager yeast requires cool fermentation (8–14°C) to produce the crisp, clean profile that lagers are known for, but the payoff is a beer with exceptional clarity and character that simply isn’t achievable at ale temperatures. 

What’s in the box

This kit contains a pre-measured blend of Munich Malt extract, hop additions, Bavarian Lager yeast. Full ingredient, weights, and complete step-by-step brew day instructions are included in the box.

Brewing Notes

• Style malt forward Bavarian lager
• Fermentation range: brew cool  8 - 14°C
• Colour : Light reddish
• Original & Gravity: 1.049 approx
• Final Gravity 1.014 approx
• ABV for an 21lt Batch : 4.8%
• Volume 21Lt
• Yeast addition: Bavarian Lager yeast
• Recipe Style: Malt Extract Beer Kit 

Tasting notes

Appearance: Clear light reddish amber with a fine, persistent white head — classically beautiful in a proper lager glass.

Aroma: Rich, toasty Munich malt sweetness with hints of biscuit and a gentle Noble hop earthiness in the background. It smells exactly like a cold one at a Bavarian beer hall.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and smooth with a satisfying malt-forward palate, clean balanced bitterness, and a dry, lingering finish. Warming without being heavy.

Perfect for

• Lager brewers who want to explore a more malt-forward German style beyond a standard pale lager

• Oktoberfest season brewing — or any time you want a proper Bavarian-style amber lager

• An impressive gift for German beer lovers or anyone who appreciates a well-made traditional lager

FAQ'S
What is a Märzenbier?

Märzenbier (‘March beer’ in German) is a traditional Bavarian lager style historically brewed in March and stored cold through summer for the Oktoberfest celebrations. It’s characterised by its amber colour, rich Munich malt sweetness, full body, and clean lager fermentation character. The style that fills the beer tents at Munich’s Oktoberfest each year is essentially a Märzenbier , it’s the original festival beer.

What is Muntons Munich Malt and why does it matter?

Muntons Munich Malt is a specialty malt kilned at higher temperatures than standard pale malt, which develops its distinctive rich colour (amber to light brown) and an intense, toasty maltiness that standard pale malt simply can’t replicate. It’s the defining ingredient in Märzenbier and many other Bavarian lager styles — without it, you just have a golden lager. With it, you have something genuinely special.

Do I need to ferment this below 14°C?

For an authentic result, yes — the Bavarian Lager yeast in this kit is specifically designed to work at 8–14°C. At these temperatures it produces the ultra-clean, crisp character that defines the style. A fermentation fridge or temperature-controlled space is ideal. A cool garage or shed in the cooler months can also work well. The lower the temperature within that range, the cleaner and more refined the finished beer will be.

How much beer does this kit make?

This kit produces 21 litres — approximately 28 × 750ml longnecks or 55 × 330ml stubbies.

How long does it take?

Lager fermentation is slower than ale fermentation at cool temperatures. Allow 2–3 weeks in the fermenter at 8–14°C, then at least 2 weeks of cold conditioning in the bottle. The extra time compared to an ale kit is genuinely worth it a properly lagered Märzenbier has a clarity and smoothness of character that you simply can’t rush.

When is the best time to brew this?

Traditionally, Märzenbier is brewed in autumn (March in the Southern Hemisphere, so around September–October in Australia) to be ready for summer drinking — or brewed in late summer to be ready for Oktoberfest season. In practice, any time you can achieve consistent cool fermentation temperatures works. Many brewers use a dedicated fridge to brew lagers year-round.

Is this kit suitable for someone new to home brewing?

It’s best approached as a second or third brew rather than a first, primarily because the cool fermentation requirement means you’ll need some way to control your fermenting temperature. If you have access to a cool space or a fermentation fridge and have done one batch before, this is very achievable , and the result is a beer that will genuinely impress.