The first thing many people think of when you say Oktoberfest is a big German party with people swinging large stein glasses of beer as they drink, oompah bands, buxom serving wenches, and men in lederhosen.
However, despite being a large annual party (which is actually in September, not October), Oktoberfest is a seasonal beer style also. And although it originates from Germany, it is now brewed everywhere, including here in the US.
The original beer served at the very first Oktoberfest was a dark lager similar to a German Dunkel.
Well-kilned malts such as Munich malt were used at the very beginning of the 19th century by German breweries, but as brewing technology and techniques developed, paler beers were introduced.
Beers for Oktoberfest were actually brewed in March — due to the summer temperatures being too high to brew — and left to mature or lager in cooler underground caves for up to six months to be ready for the fall.
Rather than using dark malts that produced more copper in color and malty lagers, northern European brewers were using air-dried malts and raw grains to produce lighter lager beers.
By the 1870s, lighter European beers were becoming much more popular, and in 1872, Josef Sedlmayr introduced the lighter style of Vienna lager at the annual Oktoberfest.
The Vienna lagers sold very well and very quickly, with most Marzen (German for “March,” when the beer was brewed) beers quickly adopting the style using paler malts — and the Oktoberfest beer style which is still served today was born.
Only six breweries, however, are officially allowed to serve at the Oktoberfest in Munich properly :
- Hofbrau
- Spaten
- Paulaner
- Lowenbrau
- Augustiner
- Hacker Pschorr
Of all these breweries, Augustiner is the oldest, founded in Munich in 1328. The youngest brewery of the big six is Paulaner which served its first beers in 1634.
What Does An Oktoberfest Beer Taste Like?
Although there are many brands of Oktoberfest beer available, they are all very drinkable, yet rich, beers.
The first thing you will notice is the incredible clarity of the beer along with a slightly amber color which ranges from copper hues to more golden hints in some of the more modern paler beers.
Despite being a lager, rich malt notes dominate with some vaguely toasty notes and a bread flavor. With a really dry finish, the beer is only slightly bitter due to the presence of noble hops. But with an IBU of less than 25, on average, it will be much less bitter than most other German lagers like a pilsner.
A relatively high ABV of 6% for a lager makes it friendly to drink, but maybe in smaller quantities than a session beer or traditional lager.
The big Munich Six beers all feature slightly different flavor profiles, with some like Paulaner Oktoberfest Marine adding hints of spiced banana and a lemon hop to the general sweet flavor. One of my favorites would be the Hacker-Pschorr Brau Original Oktoberfest which uses lightly toasted malts for a nutty flavor and a fruity and floral hop aroma.
What Are the Key Ingredients in an Oktoberfest Beer?
Just what is it that gives Oktoberfest beers that amber color, slight sweetness, excellent clarity, and muted bitterness with a rich toasty malt flavor? If you want to truly experience an Oktoberfest-style beer, you will need ingredients of German origin.
The Malt
Perhaps the most important factor in making a robust beer like an Oktoberfest is the malt.
For a true German-style Oktoberfest beer or Marzen, you will need to source malts from Germany. Fortunately nowadays in the US, you can get prime German grains like Pilsner or Munich from many reputable maltsters.
Generally, Oktoberfest beers in Munich will use Pilsner and Munich malt which give the beer its deep golden color and a taste of maltiness.
Other malts which are often added to the brew include:
- Acidulated (Sauermalz) malt can help control the pH levels of the mash
- German light crystal
- Melanoidin malt
- German dark crystal
- British caramel malt
American craft breweries often substitute more caramel malt in their Oktoberfest beer blend which gives the beer more of a sweeter caramel-like flavor.
Although American-Style Oktoberfest brews don’t have the same hop-malt balance as their German cousins, they do tend to be sweeter and easier to drink for our palates.
The Hops
Oktoberfest beers are not particularly hoppy beers, They mainly add a balance to the rich malt flavors of the beer. A typical brew will only need 1 to 3 ounces of hops to achieve a low IBU. It would be best if you were looking for an IBU of between 18 and 25 for Oktoberfest beers, much lower than a Pilsner style lager or an IPA.
The Malt
Perhaps the most important factor in making a robust beer like an Oktoberfest is the malt.
For a true German-style Oktoberfest beer or Marzen, you will need to source malts from Germany. Fortunately nowadays in the US, you can get prime German grains like Pilsner or Munich from many reputable maltsters.
Generally, Oktoberfest beers in Munich will use Pilsner and Munich malt which give the beer its deep golden color and a taste of maltiness.
Other malts which are often added to the brew include:
- Acidulated (Sauermalz) malt can help control the pH levels of the mash
- German light crystal
- Melanoidin malt
- German dark crystal
- British caramel malt
American craft breweries often substitute more caramel malt in their Oktoberfest beer blend which gives the beer more of a sweeter caramel-like flavor.
Although American-Style Oktoberfest brews don’t have the same hop-malt balance as their German cousins, they do tend to be sweeter and easier to drink for our palates.
The Hops
Oktoberfest beers are not particularly hoppy beers, They mainly add a balance to the rich malt flavors of the beer. A typical brew will only need 1 to 3 ounces of hops to achieve a low IBU. It would be best if you were looking for an IBU of between 18 and 25 for Oktoberfest beers, much lower than a Pilsner style lager or an IPA.
German beers in general are much stronger than their American counterparts, so although an American Oktoberfest beer version may still be strong, it won’t be as strong as a Paulaner, Spaten, or any of the other big six Munich beers.
Oktoberfest Beers: The Conclusion
Oktoberfest beer is an incredible German-style beer that I believe every beer lover should try at least once. Although it is only available seasonally during the fall, it is now an international beer which doesn’t mean having to visit Munich.
So to have a try at an Octoberfest Beer, come help out the MashMasters Booth this Saturday October 15th at the Canyon Lake JWC Rocktoberfest <– Click for details!
Excerpts from homebrew.comthis Saturday October 15th