In the simplest definition, Viennas are amber-colored beers brewed with bottom-fermenting lager yeast. On the other hand, the terms Märzen and Oktoberfest originally referred to a brewing process—not a beer style. While the terms Vienna, Märzen and Oktoberfest may seem unrelated, history indicates otherwise. Over time, Viennas became standard beers brewed on a regular basis and often at a lower gravity. The Märzen and Oktoberfest beers became “festbiers,” brewed for celebrations each Octob...

Principles of Brewing Science is an indispensable reference which applies the practical language of science to the art of brewing. As an introduction to the science of brewing chemistry for the homebrewer to the serious brewer’s desire for detailed scientific explanations of the process, Principles is a standard addition to any brewing bookshelf.