We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but is that the reason for the season? Turns out, this beer bash was born out of another party; a wedding party to be precise.
Back in 1810, the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, opted to turn the traditionally stuffy, private, nobles-only wedding celebration into a massive public festival complete with a huge agricultural fair, food vendors, and even an extravagant horse race at the end. This eventually grew into what we now know as Oktoberfest!
Märzen is the base style of beers served during Oktoberfest, and if you speak German you know Märzen means March. But why would a fall festival be based on a March beer? Well, this style of beer was typically brewed in March, just before the weather became too warm to make beer without risking spoiling, bacterial infection, or risk of fire from boiling the wort. The beers are brewed in March and then kept in cold storage caves to be drank throughout the warmer months. So, when the prince decides to throw a party the last week in September, the beer you’re going to have the most of ready to drink is the one that’s been hanging out in cool caves all summer.
In order for a beer to be called an Oktoberfestbier it has to be brewed by one of the six breweries located in the Munich city limits. Those six breweries are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Some of them you’ve probably heard of while others are not as popular in the U.S.
While Oktoberfest beers are the ideal way to celebrate Oktoberfest, unless you’re strapping on lederhosen and heading to Munich, a German beer in general is usually good enough! With that in mind, here’s our top 5 German beers to put some shine on your stein!
Top 5 German Beers
Ayinger Oktoberfest- Märzen
This festbier is robustly malty with toastiness on the nose and palate with medium-level carbonation that makes it super drinkable.
Paulaner Salvator
Brewed from Munich malt, Salvator has a mild, sweet aroma of chocolate and imparts a distinctively bold, robust flavor.
Weihenstephaner Hefe
From the oldest brewery in the world, this award-winning hefe is full of bright, refreshing banana flavors with fruity, yeasty notes.
Steigl Grapefruit Radler
This thirst-quenching beer is made from 40% Stiegl Goldbräu and 60% grapefruit soda for delightfully tangy, fruity flavor.
Spaten Optimator
A classic dark German beer, this bottom fermented Doppel Bock has a rich roasted malt flavor.
