Himmelblau Means Sky Blue, Though the Beer Pours Amber

Pivotal Brewing Company has released Himmelblau, its annual Marzen, timed to land just as summer starts giving way to fall. The beer is built on a blend of Munich, Vienna, and Pilsner malts and then lagered a full eight weeks before release, a conditioning period the brewery says produces a smooth, light-bodied beer with natural carbonation.

That malt trio is the classic backbone of the style: Munich malt for depth and a touch of sweetness, Vienna for a light amber color and biscuity edge, Pilsner malt to keep the whole thing from getting heavy. Pivotal describes the finished beer as pouring a deep orange-amber, with flavors of rich toasted malt alongside softer notes of bread crust and sourdough, the kind of profile that extended lager conditioning tends to smooth into something clean rather than sweet.

The name itself is a bit of a misdirect. Himmelblau translates to "sky blue" in German, and the brewery is upfront that it has nothing to do with the beer's amber color; it's meant to evoke the crisp, clear-skied days of early fall the beer is timed to arrive alongside.

Himmelblau is available on draft and in cans to go at Pivotal's Bristol taproom starting Thursday, August 13.