The Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest Beer

Oktoberfest season is one of the best times of year for beer drinkers. Even if you’ve never been to Germany and don’t own a pair of lederhosen, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Oktoberfest beers start taking over store shelves as soon as late summer rolls around. They’re easy to drink, full of flavor, and somehow seem to taste even better once the weather cools down.

So what exactly is an Oktoberfest beer?

Traditionally, Oktoberfest beer is associated with Munich and the famous annual Oktoberfest celebration held there. Historically, the style was closer to a Märzen, which is a smooth, amber-colored lager with a slightly toasted malt flavor. These beers were brewed in the spring, stored through the summer, and then enjoyed during the fall festival season.

Today, you’ll see a couple of different styles labeled as Oktoberfest. Some are darker, richer Märzen-style lagers, while others are lighter, crisper Festbiers. Both are great choices, but they drink a little differently.

Märzen is probably what many American drinkers picture when they think of Oktoberfest beer. It usually has a deep golden to amber color, a medium body, and flavors that lean toward toasted bread, caramel, and malt. It’s flavorful without being heavy, which is exactly why it works so well for long afternoons of football, grilling, or hanging out with friends.

Festbier tends to be lighter in color and a little more crisp. It still has plenty of malt character, but it’s generally cleaner and more refreshing than a traditional Märzen. In Germany, this lighter style is much more common at modern Oktoberfest celebrations because it’s easy to drink over a long period of time.

One of the best things about Oktoberfest beers is how well they pair with food. These aren’t beers that need fancy meals. They’re made for hearty, salty, comforting foods.

Bratwurst is an obvious choice, especially with mustard and sauerkraut. Pretzels with cheese or mustard are another easy pairing. Burgers, roasted chicken, pork chops, sausages, and even pizza all work well because the beer’s maltiness complements richer foods without overpowering them.

If you’re putting together your own Oktoberfest night at home, keep it simple. Grab a few different Oktoberfest beers and let everyone try them side by side. You’ll probably notice that some are sweeter and maltier while others are lighter and more crisp. It’s an easy way to figure out which style you prefer.

Glassware doesn’t need to be complicated either. A traditional beer stein is always fun, but a regular pint glass works perfectly fine. The biggest thing is serving the beer cold, but not absolutely ice-cold. Letting it warm up just slightly can bring out more of those toasted malt flavors.

Another fun part of Oktoberfest season is checking out different breweries. German breweries offer some of the most traditional examples, but American craft breweries have really embraced the style too. Colorado breweries especially tend to put out some great seasonal lagers once fall approaches.

And if you normally reach for IPAs or light lagers, Oktoberfest is a great excuse to try something different. These beers sit right in the middle: flavorful enough to be interesting but still incredibly drinkable.

Stop by Boone’s Wine & Spirits this Oktoberfest season and check out the different seasonal beers hitting the shelves. Grab a few varieties, fire up the grill, add some pretzels and brats, and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid fall night!