If you’re anything like us, you’re still having trouble coming to terms with the fact that summer is almost over. Sure, the last summer day is September 22, but there are signs of fall all around us. If you live in a part of the country with seasons, you’re already seeing trees turn from green to yellow, red, and eventually brown before dropping their leaves, gently to the ground. The days are getting shorter, the nights are longer, and the temperatures are dipping. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The end of summer and the beginning of fall means it’s time for Oktoberfest.
For those unaware, Oktoberfest is arguably the biggest beer festival in the world. This year, it takes place from September 17 to October 3. Each year (save for the last two thanks to the global pandemic) this festival is held over two weeks at the end of September and the beginning of October. But you might be wondering why Germans (and beer fans throughout the world) celebrate Oktoberfest. It all started back on October 12, 1810. That’s when the crown prince of Bavaria married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. This annual festival takes place each year to mark this important event. Even if you didn’t know that, there’s still a good chance you’ve celebrated by throwing back a few tasty brews.
And even though there’s a good chance you won’t be purchasing a plane ticket and booking accommodations in Munich to celebrate this wedding anniversary when the massive beer festival begins in a few weeks in Munich, Germany, you’re probably going to visit a local Oktoberfest gathering. Or, at the very least, you might grab a six-pack of Oktoberfest-style beer.
This year, instead of opting for one of the “big six” breweries of Augustiner, Hacker-Pschor, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten, Hofbräuhaus, why not try an American interpretation? Keep scrolling to see ten of our favorite takes on the classic German beer style.
Troegs Oktoberfest
This annual fall release is brewed with Pilsner and Munich malts, House Lager yeast, and Hallertau Tradition hops. It’s simple, clean, and easy to drink with notes of caramel malts, fresh-baked bread, and grassy, herbal, floral, slightly spicy hops. It’s surprisingly well-balanced and easy to drink. It’s the kind of Oktoberfest-style beer you’ll go back to again and again every fall.
- Origin: Pennsylvania
- ABV: 6.1%
- Price Range: $11.99-12.99 for a six-pack
Narragansett Fest
Brewed with Weyerman’s Munich malt and German Tettnang hops, this 5 percent ABV Marzen-style lager was crafted to taste like the iconic Oktoberfest-style beers Narragansett produced in ‘60s and ‘70s. The result is a complex, malty fall beer with notes of bread-like malts, caramel, toasted malts, spicy, floral hops, and a dry, pleasing finish that leaves you craving more. It’s a flavorful, memorable beer worthy of a fall festival.
- Origin: Rhode Island
- ABV: 5%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99 for a six-pack of 16-ounce cans
Victory Festbier
With a name like Festbier, you have a pretty good idea of what you’re in for when you crack open this Marzen-style Oktoberfest beer. Brewed with 2-row, Vienna, and Munich German malts as well as whole flower German hops, it’s sweet, malty, but has a nice floral, hoppy, slightly spicy backbone that brings everything together. Grab a sixer, pour it into a stein, and hoist one of these to celebrate the world’s most favorite beer festival. Better yet, pair it with a salty pretzel bigger than your head.
- Origin: Pennsylvania
- ABV: 5.6%
- Price Range: $10.99-12.99
Great Lakes Oktoberfest
One of the most popular, highest-rated US Oktoberfest-style beers on the market, Great Lakes Oktoberfest is not to be missed this fall. It’s a great beer for American craft beer fans because its use of Northwest Mt. Hood hops paired with 2-row, Munich, and Caramel 45 malts give it a nice gateway between European and American beers. It’s sweet, bready, loaded with caramel flavor, but tempered by slightly piney, floral, spicy hops. If you only drink one beer on this list, make it this one from the iconic Cleveland-area brewery.
- Origin: Ohio
- ABV: 6.5%
- Price Range: $10.99-12.99
Schlafly Oktoberfest
When you think of St. Louis-based breweries, your mind likely immediately heads to Budweiser. But you’d be remiss if you don’t try some of fellow St. Louis brewery Schlafly a try. Especially its Oktoberfest. This 5.5 percent ABV Marzen-style beer is as authentic to European traditions as American beers come. Brewed with Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnang, Marynka hops, as well as Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts, it’s loaded with toasted malts, caramel, vanilla, and dry, floral hops. One sip and you’ll totally forget about that other St. Louis brewery and its “king of beers”.
- Origin: Missouri
- ABV: 5.5%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99
Samuel Adams Octoberfest
You know when Samuel Adams makes something, they go all out. That’s why it should come as no surprise that this seasonal beer was brewed with German-sourced Tettnang Tettnanger and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops along with various malts and house yeast. It’s known for its combination of toasted malts, roasty flavors, vanilla, caramel, and light, dry, Noble hops presence. There’s a reason beer fans eagerly await this beer every late summer and early fall.
- Origin: Massachusetts
- ABV: 5.3%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99
Founders Oktoberfest
Founders is most known for its Kentucky Breakfast Stout (and various offshoots), but if you’re a fan of Oktoberfest-style beers, you definitely shouldn’t sleep on this seasonal brew. Brewed with imported German malts, hops, and lager yeast, it’s known for its rich, malty backbone with notes of toasted vanilla beans, toffee, and just a hint of floral, slightly spicy, piney hops. One sip and this beer will become your new favorite fall brew.
- Origin: Michigan
- ABV: 6%
- Price Range: $10.99-12.99
Karbach Karbachtoberfest
The folks at Texas’ Karbach intended for this Oktoberfest-style beer to be enjoyed with pretzels, sausage, and sauerkraut Not only is this classic, malty, caramel, and Noble hop-tasting beer a great example of the style, it’s also made using the decoction brewing style with Vienna and Munich malts before being cold fermented and aged for six whole weeks. It’s a truly unique fall beer that needs to be tasted to be believed.
- Origin: Texas
- ABV: 5.5%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99
Jack’s Abby Copper Legend
Jack’s Abby’s brewers know a thing or two about crafting a high-quality lager. That’s because that’s literally all they do at the popular Massachusetts brewery. One of the most easy-drinking, smooth, malty, sweet, and subtly hoppy fall beers on the market, Jack’s Abby Copper Legend is the type of beer you’ll start looking for on store shelves in June and July, hopeful it’s being released early (sadly, it’s only available from August-October). It’s that good.
- Origin: Massachusetts
- ABV: 5.7%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99
Left Hand Oktoberfest
While some of the beers on this list bridge the gap between Europe and America, none do more than Left Hand Oktoberfest. Brewed with Munich and 2-Row malts as well as Apollo and Mt. Hood hops, it’s truly a unique take on the style. It’s filled with bready, caramel malts as well as a healthy dose, of floral, spicy, slightly resinous hops. It’s a great beer for American craft fans who aren’t sure they’re ready to dive into real German beers.
- Origin: Colorado
- ABV: 6.6%
- Price Range: $11.99-13.99
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