Oktoberfest, the world’s largest Volksfest (or beer and folk festival), takes place annually in Munich, Germany, from mid- to late-September through the first Sunday in October. The festival originated in 1810 with the marriage of future Bavarian king Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese, culminating in a five-day celebration of feasting, games, and parades.

It has grown in the two centuries hence; today, the official celebration sees over six million visitors in attendance during its 16-day span, and a consumption of 6.5 million liters of beer in 2023 alone, according to the website Statista.

Of course, Oktoberfest isn’t confined to Munich, as it is widely celebrated by countries around the world. Breweries often release Oktoberfest beers for the season in conjunction with local festivities, typically brewed in one or both of the two associated styles: Märzen and festbier.

Stylistic traditions

Märzen is the traditional style associated with Oktoberfest, an amber lager developed by the Spaten Brewery in Munich in the 1840s. It’s a malt-forward beer, with malt character that is rich and bready, complex and luscious without being sweet or roasty. It has a mild hop presence that can be herbal or spicy, and overall finishes clean and dry.

Wild Ride Brewing Company offers up its annual version of the style, Schnitts & Giggles Festbier, which falls under the Märzen banner. It’s easy drinking with 5.4% alcohol by volume and 20 IBUs.

The beer is pale copper colored with a mellow, toasty aroma that’s a bit bready and includes a touch of herbal spice. The flavor leans into the bread-like character with toasted crust and a mildly spicy note that reminds me of rye, and there’s a mellow hop bitterness to balance with a hint of peppercorn spiciness.

There’s a crisp, easy finish that’s designed to keep you sipping and reaching for another. Schnitts & Giggles is available in cans and on draft.

Festive, light and drinkable

Festbier, also called Wiesn in Germany, is the official beer of Oktoberfest in Munich, having supplanted Märzen in 1990. It’s designed to be a lighter, more drinkable version of a festival beer, developed by the Paulaner Brewery in the 1970s, which felt that the original amber Märzen style was too filling.

The style also emphasizes malty flavors while being lighter in color and body, which can draw out a bit more emphasis on the hops. The bready character of the malts should be softer than in Märzen, with a toasty richness and sweet impression. The finish should be crisp and rounded to encourage multiple pints.

Sunriver Brewing Company brews Holy Schmidt! Festbier each year, designed to be balanced and drinkable and true to the style. It’s 5.8% ABV with 25 IBUs.

Holy Schmidt! pours a pale golden color and has a rich, bready malt note in the nose with a cereal graininess. On the tongue there’s a doughy sweetness with a touch of corn that is reminiscent of sweet rolls. There’s a mild hop spiciness but it has low bitterness, and it finishes a touch sweet but clean.

There’s a good balance to this beer and it’s one to make sure to enjoy this fall. It’s available on draft and in cans as well.

These are two good examples of each of the respective Oktoberfest beer styles, but keep an eye out for others from other local and regional breweries to enjoy this month as well.