German beer styles, explained

Styles to know

• Märzen / Oktoberfest

  Amber, malty and smooth – the classic Oktoberfest lager, traditionally brewed in March and lagered through summer.

• Helles

  A pale, bready Munich lager that is easy-drinking and balanced – Bavaria's everyday beer.

• Hefeweizen

  Cloudy Bavarian wheat beer with banana and clove notes from its yeast.

• Dunkel

  Dark Munich lager with toasty, bread-crust malt and a clean finish.

• Pilsner

  Crisp, hoppy pale lager. German versions are drier and more bitter than Czech ones.

• Bock & Doppelbock

  Strong, malty lagers; doppelbocks were historically brewed by monks as 'liquid bread'.

• Kölsch

  Delicate, top-fermented golden ale from Cologne, served in small 'Stange' glasses.

• Rauchbier

  Bamberg's smoked beer, made with beechwood-smoked malt.