But then, Firestone Walker injects its own DNA, partially lagering Oaktoberfest in neutral oak barrels. After all, Co-Founders Adam Firestone and David Walker started the twenty-seven-year-old brewery as an exclusively barrel-fermented business!

For our part, we wanted to recognize the holiday by digging into its history. Above all, we’ll clarify the exact difference between Oktoberfest, Märzen, and Festbiers. Lastly, we’ll give you a few updated recommendations of our favorite classic German and current American versions to try. Today in the States, 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. Oktoberfest Lager— With Oaktoberfest, Firestone Walker takes the threads of traditions and weaves in its own heritage. So yes, you’ll find all that caramelly goodness you love in Oktoberfests from Weyerman Pils, Vienna, Munich, Cara Hell, and Cara Red malts.

Märzen— We love how breweries known for other styles put an equal emphasis and care on nailing these German-style Märzens. Some might argue that it’s worth visiting Denver in late September / early October for something other than the Great American Beer Festival. And if you do happen to be there for GABF, maybe consider making a side trip to Bierstadt Lagerhaus to snag a stein of their Oktoberfest (oh, and also this Slow Pour Pilsner is a can’t-miss). Brewed with German Pilsner, Munich, Cara Munich, and Vienna malts, plus a traditional Märzen yeast, Whisper is Tree House’s culmination of years toying with the idea of a German-inspired lager to celebrate Oktoberfest.

Of course, there are some brewers in the United States that do adhere more closely to the paler, modern German Oktoberfest styles. But for the most part, if you’re drinking an Oktoberfest in America, it’s probably a copper-hued, toasty Märzen lager. Wait, I’m Still Confused. Can You Recap Everything For Me? Photography courtesy of Metropolitan Brewing Truth be told, we didn’t get many floral or herbaceous hoppiness here. Instead, this one is all about the malt.

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Festbier— Considered the authentic and original Oktoberfest Bier, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier, falls under the Festbier category, served at the actual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich. Märzen— Yes, one of the best IPA-producing breweries in the country makes a couple of damn fine Märzens. In fact, this beer made it onto Untappd’s list of All-Time Top-Rated Märzens. Pouring a burning gold, Athletic’s Oktoberfest hit us first with some really nice floralness on the nose from the Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops.

Between you and me, I’m not a huge of fan of beer but there a few different ones that I can stomach, especially a fruity beer, I’m all over that! I thought I would put together a few fun facts about Oktoberfest because who doesn’t want to learn more about the most celebrated beer festival in the world that happens each year in Munich. Märzen— Brewed as a part of the brewery’s Long Live Lagers celebrations, Tröegs take on the timeless classic includes leveraging a traditional German brewing technique called decoction. Be sure to hold this one up to the light of any harvest moon and enjoy ‘Wisconsin’s Real Red,’” writes the brewery in the beer’s Untappd description. Find an aroma of fresh fruity hops and a rich and full-bodied flavor. This brilliant and authentic lager-style beer offers the true Oktoberfest experience—a beer bringing the world together.

Wait, I’m Still Confused. Can You Recap Everything For Me?

And that’s what this beer is all about. Released just this past week, Bierstadt’s version stays true to the Märzen style. Green Bench Co-Founder and Head Brewer Khris Johnson uses a traditional double decoction process and natural carbonation to truly mimic an authentic German-inspired interpretation of this celebratory harvest beer.

Brewed with Colorado-grown malt from Troubador Maltings and a lot of patience, Small-Tober is one Oktoberfest lager you can’t miss. Preferably you can make it to New Image’s taproom from September 9, through October 7, 2023, to try it! Oh, and did we mention the royal family provided beer and food free of charge? So much fun was had by all that the festival became a yearly celebration. Coming to you live from Germany! OK OK, we’re actually in our apartment in Leeds and we just transformed it into an Oktoberfest party over here but you get the gist. What do you think? Would you like to come party with us? Hell yeah you would!

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Lowenbrau Oktoberfest: This beer is a classic Oktoberfest beer that is brewed in Munich. It is known for its rich, malty flavour and is one of the most popular beers at the festival.