The birthday went on and the next beer on the table was the Borbecker Fastenbier. According to the waiter this is Märzen. Derived from the beer colour, which is black – looks like a Guinness – I’ll call it a Dunkles Märzen.

The Dunkles Märzen has a burned, malty, caramel, oily and a little hoppy flavour. It goes down the throat very well, leaving a warming, sweet and little bitter taste behind.

It’s a well produced, well balanced beer with good foam stability.