Traditionally Oktoberfestbiers were the lagers of around 5.5 to 6 abv called
Märzen - brewed in March and allowed to ferment slowly during the summer months. Originally these would have been
dark lagers, but from 1872 a strong March brewed version of an amber-red
Vienna lager made by Josef Sedlmayr became the favourite Oktoberfestbier.
[16] The colour of Märzen and so Oktoberfestbier has become even lighter since the late 20th century, with all Oktoberfest beers brewed in Munich since 1990 being golden in colour;
[16] though some Munich brewers still produce darker versions, mostly for export to the USA.
[17]