Which Beer Is Customarily Served At Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, held annually in Munich, Germany. It is a celebration of Bavarian culture, music, food, and, most importantly, beer. But not just any beer is served at Oktoberfest-only special brews that meet strict requirements can be poured at the festival.

If you’re wondering which beer is customarily served at Oktoberfest, this guide will help you understand the types of beer allowed, their characteristics, and the breweries that produce them.

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The Official Oktoberfest Beers

Only beers brewed within the city limits of Munich and following the Reinheitsgebot (German Beer Purity Law) can be served at Oktoberfest. These beers are known as Oktoberfestbier and are brewed specifically for the festival.

There are six official breweries that produce beer for Oktoberfest:

Augustiner-Brà¤u
Hacker-Pschorr
Hofbrà¤uhaus Mà¼nchen (Hofbrà¤u)
Là¶wenbrà¤u
Paulaner
Spaten

Each of these breweries produces a unique Oktoberfest beer that meets the festival’s standards.

Characteristics of Oktoberfest Beer

Oktoberfestbier is a Mà¤rzen-style lager with the following characteristics:

Golden to amber color – Modern Oktoberfest beers are typically lighter in color, though some breweries still produce darker versions.
Malty flavor – The beer has a rich, toasty malt flavor with slight sweetness.
Medium body – Oktoberfestbier is not too heavy but has a satisfying mouthfeel.
Balanced bitterness – Hops are present but not overpowering, allowing the malt flavors to shine.
Higher alcohol content – The ABV (alcohol by volume) ranges from 5.8% to 6.3%, slightly stronger than regular lagers.

The Six Official Oktoberfest Beers

Each of the six Munich breweries produces its own version of Oktoberfestbier, offering slight variations in taste, aroma, and appearance.

1. Augustiner Oktoberfestbier

Augustiner-Brà¤u is Munich’s oldest brewery, dating back to 1328. Their Oktoberfest beer is highly regarded for its smooth and clean taste with a mild hop presence. Unlike the others, Augustiner is served from wooden barrels, giving it a traditional touch.

2. Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Mà¤rzen

Hacker-Pschorr’s Oktoberfest beer is a bit darker than others, sticking closely to the traditional Mà¤rzen style. It has a deep maltiness with caramel and bread-like flavors.

3. Hofbrà¤u Oktoberfestbier

Hofbrà¤u’s version is one of the lightest in color, with a crisp and refreshing taste. It has a slightly higher bitterness than other Oktoberfest beers, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a bit more hop character.

4. Là¶wenbrà¤u Oktoberfestbier

Là¶wenbrà¤u’s Oktoberfest beer is known for its clean malt profile with a dry finish. It has a smooth balance of sweetness and bitterness, making it an easy-drinking option.

5. Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier

Paulaner is one of the most popular Oktoberfest beers worldwide. It is golden in color with a balanced mix of malt sweetness and floral hop bitterness. It is often described as one of the easiest to drink.

6. Spaten Oktoberfestbier

Spaten is credited with creating the first Mà¤rzen-style Oktoberfest beer in 1872. Their version is malty, slightly sweet, and smooth, with a full-bodied taste.

How Oktoberfest Beer Differs from Regular Mà¤rzen

Many breweries outside of Munich produce Mà¤rzen-style beers and label them as “Oktoberfestâ beers. However, these are different from the official Oktoberfestbier served at the festival.

Mà¤rzen-style beers are typically darker and maltier, with a more caramel-like sweetness.
Oktoberfestbier served in Munich is generally lighter in color and crisper, designed for drinking in large quantities.

If you buy an “Oktoberfestâ beer from a non-Munich brewery, it will likely resemble a Mà¤rzen rather than the golden-hued beers served in Munich’s festival tents.

Oktoberfest Beer Tents and Their Breweries

At Oktoberfest, each beer is served in a dedicated beer tent. Here are some of the most famous tents and the beers they serve:

Schottenhamel Tent – Spaten Oktoberfestbier
Hofbrà¤u Tent – Hofbrà¤u Oktoberfestbier
Augustiner Tent – Augustiner Oktoberfestbier
Brà¤urosl Tent – Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfestbier
Là¶wenbrà¤u Tent – Là¶wenbrà¤u Oktoberfestbier
Paulaner Tent – Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier

Each tent has its own atmosphere, music, and decorations, making the Oktoberfest experience unique depending on where you choose to drink.

How to Enjoy Oktoberfest Beer Like a Local

If you’re lucky enough to attend Oktoberfest, here are some tips for enjoying the beer like a true Bavarian:

1. Order by the Maà

Oktoberfest beer is served in a one-liter glass mug called a Maà. Ordering anything smaller is uncommon at the festival.

2. Toast Properly

When clinking glasses, make eye contact and say “Prost!â (cheers). It’s considered bad luck if you don’t.

3. Pace Yourself

Oktoberfest beers are stronger than regular lagers. Drink plenty of water and eat traditional Bavarian food like pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken to stay balanced.

4. Sing Along

Each beer tent has live bands playing traditional German drinking songs. Join in the singing for the full Oktoberfest experience!

Where to Find Oktoberfest Beers Outside of Munich

If you can’t make it to Munich, you can still enjoy authentic Oktoberfestbier at home. Many liquor stores and beer importers carry official Oktoberfest beers from the six Munich breweries during the fall season.

Look for:

Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier – widely available internationally
Hofbrà¤u Oktoberfestbier – commonly found in specialty beer shops
Spaten Oktoberfestbier – often available in major beer retailers

Some craft breweries also produce their own Mà¤rzen-style Oktoberfest beers, which can be a good alternative if you want to celebrate Oktoberfest in your own way.

The beer served at Oktoberfest is unique, historic, and carefully brewed to meet strict standards. Only six Munich breweries produce the official Oktoberfestbier, ensuring a high-quality drinking experience at the world-famous festival.

Whether you attend Oktoberfest in Munich or enjoy a Mà¤rzen-style beer at home, the tradition of Oktoberfestbier is something beer lovers worldwide can appreciate. Prost! ð»