Grain Usually an Oktoberfest/Märzen is made with a combination of Munich, 2-Row or Pilsner, and Vienna malts. Traditionally, 50% Munich malt is used and Pilsner or 2-Row makes the rest of the grain bill. 10 to 15% of Munich malt can be substituted with Vienna malt. A small amount of Crystal malt at 5-10% may be used.
Once you have the recipe locked in, you can make this beer sing on command if your process is consistent and your ingredients are fresh. Munich Helles is truly one of the world’s great beer styles, and you’ll find that no one doesn't like it—even someone, who shall remain nameless, who makes Pilsner styles without Pils malt. Prost!
Oktoberfest Beer Recipe (Extract) Instructions: This simple extract recipe comes from the E. C. Kraus beer recipe database. Either steep the specialty grains at around 150°F as you heat the brewing water, or perform a partial-mash following these directions. Batch Size: 5 Gallons Recipe Type: Partial Mash Approx. Original Gravity: 1.053
In Designing Great Beers, Ray Daniels mentions using Belgian Biscuit malt in a Munich Helles recipe that garnered a few awards. Acidulated malt can also be used to help get the appropriate pH levels during mashing. Use below 5 percent. Unfortunately, this is going to be a style that will be tough to brew with extract.