Dogtoberfest is Flying Dog Brewery’s take on the classic German Märzen, the amber lager traditionally brewed in March and poured all through Oktoberfest season. Our notes listed it at 5.7% ABV and 18 IBU; the verified beer is 5.6% ABV and 30 IBU. It has been in the Flying Dog lineup since 2004, and it is brewed with 100% imported German ingredients: Vienna and Munich malts with Perle and Hallertau hops. Flying Dog, founded in Aspen, Colorado in 1990 and long based in Frederick, Maryland, is best known for its bold, Ralph Steadman-labeled ales, so a traditional German lager like this one shows a quieter side of the brewery.

The basics

• Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, MD)
• Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest
• ABV: 5.6%
• IBU: 30

What to expect

Dogtoberfest pours a clear, glowing amber with a creamy off-white head. The aroma is all malt: fresh bread, toasted crust, and a touch of caramel. On the palate it is smooth and medium-bodied, with rich bready malt leading the way, a gentle toffee sweetness in the middle, and a clean, dry lager finish. The hops stay in the background, adding just enough noble spice to keep the malt from getting heavy. It is the kind of beer that rewards a slow pour into a proper mug and a long, unhurried session, and it pairs naturally with sausages, pretzels, and anything coming off the grill.

Our rating

7.5/10

Rated by Alex (8) and Nick (7). Alex gave it an 8 and Nick a 7, and we think the average of 7.5 is a fair read. Dogtoberfest is a textbook Märzen done right: malty, toasty, and clean, with nothing out of place. Alex clearly loved the bready richness, and Nick was nearly as high on it. It will not convert anyone who finds lagers boring, but for an autumn seasonal it is one of the more dependable ones on the shelf, and it is easy to see why it has stuck around in the lineup for more than twenty years.

Sources: BeerAdvocate, Dogtoberfest, Flying Dog Brewery, 5.6% ABV, Malts: Vienna, Munich, Hops: Perle, Hallertau, 30 IBU, Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients, Beer added Sep 2, 2004, https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/69472/19651/ ; Birrapedia, Flying Dog Dogtoberfest, Oktoberfest-Marzen, 5.8%, 30 IBU, rich, bready malt aromas and subtle hints of toasted crust, https://birrapedia.com/en/beer-united-states/58/i-secer-paus