September 21, 2022
For more than 200 years, revelers have gathered in Munich each autumn to celebrate Oktoberfest. Bavarian immigrants brought the tradition around the world, with numerous cities welcoming fall with their own festivals featuring traditional games, music, and food.
But the real star of Oktoberfest is the beer. Munich’s six major breweries are the only ones allowed to serve pints at the main event, pouring a pale lager known as Festbier. Brewers around the world try their hand at the style each fall as well as making Märzen — named for the German word for “March,” as it was traditionally brewed each spring so that it would reach peak flavor just in time for the fall celebration.
We asked 14 brewers around the country what their favorite Oktoberfest beers are, whether they’re aiming to recapture moments spent in a raucous beer tent or just looking for something easy to drink during the last warm days of summer. Grab a stein and check out their picks.
“Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen has always been one of my favorite Oktoberfest beers to enjoy. There is something about this beer that makes you want to order a full stein to enjoy alongside a brat and a nice chewy pretzel while listening to an oompah band (possibly why it is one of my favorite styles). I personally prefer a traditional Märzen style to the more modern pale Fest styles now served at Oktoberfest because of the tradition and skill behind the style. A really good Märzen balances bready maltiness with just enough bitterness, while still finishing toasty yet crisp and dry. Ayinger is one of the best examples of this style that I look forward to every year.” —Mark Poffenberger, head brewer, Haymarket Brewing, Bridgman, Mich. and Chicago
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