Sure, you could travel to Bavaria in search of the greatest beers to drink during the greatest season of beer drinking, but I have a handy guide for you to save you from all the travel (not to mention the Covid overlords once again, cancelled the event this year). Of course, the greatest beer drinking season I am referring to is none other than the Oktoberfest season. You don’t need me to give you all the details, but it is an annual event held in Munich, Germany that dates back to 1810 and runs for 16-18 days starting in mid to late September.
Now, it should be noted that American style Oktoberfest beers do vary from the current versions that are served up in Munich. Indeed, according to CraftBeer.com, the German Style-Marzen/Oktoberfest is, “a beer rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness…with toasted bread or biscuit-like malt aroma and flavor. Originating in Germany, this style was traditionally brewed in the spring (‘Marzen’ meaning ‘March’) and aged, or lagered, throughout the summer. Today, the festival’s version of an Oktoberfest is quite a bit lighter than what American craft brewers consider an Oktoberfest.” The Oktoberfest beers that are commonly brewed in the United States are more aligned with the type of beer that would have been served up in the 1870s era Oktoberfest (Bavarian Dunkel and Amber-hued Märzen style beers). Oktoberfest is often used as a catchall encompassing Märzens and festbiers. The Märzens here in America typically feature Munich and Caramel malts for beers that tend to be redder, maltier, and slightly sweeter.
Historically, the beers served at Oktoberfest can only come from the large breweries inside Munich’s city limits including Augustinerbräu Münche (Augustiner), Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu (Spaten) and are certainly all worth seeking out, but if your travel budget is limited, take a quick trip to Colorado and you’ll find a plethora of Oktoberfest Lagers, Märzens and Festbiers.
Via HopCulture.com: “According to European Union regulations only beers brewed by the aforementioned six breweries can use the label “Oktoberfest” (much like real champagne can only technically come from the Champagne region of France). All other breweries must call their seasonal lagers Oktoberfest style beer. But that hasn’t stopped American brewers from using the terms like Oktoberfest, Märzen, and festbier pretty much interchangeably. To further confuse things American breweries will often see beers with punny variations such as Oaktoberfest, Octoberfest, etc.”
It was a great Oktoberfest season and here were some of my favorites, keep an eye out for them next year! These are more or less in ranked order, for what it’s worth. Don’t see your favorite Oktoberfest beer – let me know about your favorite!
Stay Gold – Oktoberfest Marzen Lager
Oktoberfest Festbier Lager
German-Style Oktoberfest Lager
Oktoberfest
The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest Lager
Oktoberfest Marzen Lager
Seshtoberfest
Oktoberfish
Crystal Springs Brewing Company
Oktoberfest German-Style Ale
Oktoberfest
