Marches is a beer traditionally brewed in March (März in German) before the summer heat prevented beer brewing. The beer was made with a slightly higher alcohol and wort strength than its predecessor Wiener, to better withstand the summer heat.

There was a tradition of drinking the last Märzen beer in October, in connection with the autumn market. This is why Märzen beer was also called Oktoberfestbier. This name is also used for beers of this type in other countries. Today's beers at Oktoberfests in Germany are rarely of the traditional type, but mostly standard light lager.