Festbier pours once a year to celebrate Oktoberfest! We highlight our favorite German malts along with a touch of noble hops also grown in Germany. This deep gold lager drinks smooth and clean with an intense maltiness. Highly drinkable but with a slightly stronger ABV for the changing of the seasons. Sure to make you order a second stein and say PROST!
Style: Oktoberfest Wiesn / ABV: 5.9% / IBU: 25 / SRM: 5
History:
This style represents the modern German beer served at Oktoberfest (although it is not solely reserved for Oktoberfest; it can be found at many other ‘fests’), and is sometimes called Wiesn (“the meadow” or local name for the Oktoberfest festival). Typically called Festbier outside of Germany since by German and EU regulations, Oktoberfestbier is a protected appellation for beer produced at large breweries within the Munich city limits for consumption at Oktoberfest.
Since 1990, the majority of beer served at Oktoberfest in Munich has been this style. Export beer specifically made for the United States is still mainly of the traditional amber style, as are US-produced interpretations. Paulaner first created the golden version in the mid-1970s because they thought the traditional Oktoberfest was too filling. So they developed a lighter, more drinkable but still malty version that they wanted to be “more poundable” (according to the head brewer at Paulaner). But the actual type of beer served at Oktoberfest is set by a Munich city committee.