Oktoberfest From Home

Normally, this would be the time of year when thousands of tourist and locals would flock to Munich to raise a glass and take part in Oktoberfest. (Despite the name, Oktoberfest is typically in September.) This year, however, for the second year in a row, Oktoberfest has been canceled due to the pandemic. Luckily, there are many seasonal beers here in America that you can find to help you celebrate at home. 

What is referred to as an "Oktoberfest" typically falls into one to the two categories- a malty and sweet Marzen or a pale, crisp Festbier. Over here in America, most Oktoberfest tends to be closer to the Marzen side, while Germany tends to favor the lighter festbiers. Oktoberfest beers seem to be hitting stores earlier every year, so you should have no trouble stocking up for your own Oktoberfest at home! 

We have rounded up some of our seasonal favorites for you to try at home, or your favorite pub this year, Prost! 

Paulner Oktoberfest- An amber beer style that was developed to celebrate the original Oktoberfest over 200 years ago. This full bodied beer with its rich malt flavor, dark toffee note and underlying fruitiness has a masterful hop balance. The secrets behind Paulaner's excellent taste and unwavering quality are locally sourced ingredients and a tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down and perfected by our dedicated brewmasters since 1634. Here in Munich, Paulaner beer is not a mere product -- It's a matter of the heart.

Keg Creek Oktoberfest- This Marzen style features rich malt flavors including bready and toasty. The hop bitterness is enough to balance the beer and keep the finish dry. This beer style showcases a rich malt flavor that is balanced by a crisp, clean hop presence. 5.2% ABV 160 Calories 

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest- This rich Marzen lager features German malts for inviting aromas of honey and biscuit bread, flavors of caramel and graham crackers, and visions of sprawling beer tents. Smooth and balanced, Oktoberfest is here to celebrate. 5.5% ABV 190 Calories 

Sam Adams Octoberfest- Our version of this classic style blends rich malts for a hearty, smooth flavor with notes of caramel, creating a brew that is perfect for the season, or whatever you are celebrating. 5.3% ABV 190 Calories 

Boulevard Bob's '47 Oktoberfest-  Medium-bodied, dark amber brew with a malty flavor and well-balanced hop character. With this Munich-style lager Boulevard salutes their friend Bob Werkowitch, Master Brewer and graduate of the U.S. Brewer’s Academy, 1947. 5.8% ABV

Schell Oktoberfest- With its bright copper-orange color, it is quite symbolic of the autumnal shift of the season. A slightly higher strength, and warm body make it the perfect companion for the crisp fall weather. The use of Munich and Vienna malts give the beer its toasty malt backbone, and melanoidin-rich flavor and aroma. It has a soft malt sweetness, pleasant mouthfeel and a slight spiciness. hop character is subdued, as the malt takes center stage with this beer. 5% ABV 165 Calories 

Summit Oktoberfest- Brewed with the classic Marzen style with Nothern Brewer hops from Germany. Rich, toffee malt flavors up front with a clean hop finish as crisp as the autumn air. 6.5% ABV 213 Calories 

ReUnion Marzen- Grab your partner and a stein of this traditional German Fest beer. rich, bready Munich malts, herbal German hops, and clean lager yeast give us a reason to live everyday like it's a celebration. 5.5% ABV 165 Calories 

Exile Oktoberfest- Our Marzen-style Oktoberfest is rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness. Biscuit-like malt aroma and flavor comes through with a touch of floral notes from the German Hallertauer hops. 5.5% ABV 165 Calories

Big Grove Festbier- Nothing says “fall” quite like our Bavarian-style Märzen. Celebrate Oktoberfest and the return of more pleasant Midwest weather with this crisp, amber-hued lager that features notes of malty caramel and a smooth, clean finish. With Big Grove’s Festbier, your Biergarten is anywhere. 5.9% ABV 

Backpocket Hawktoberfest- Fall, tailgating and the smooth malt of Oktoberfest-style beer just make sense together. 

West O Oktoberfest- Copper color, creamy white head. Biscuit aromas from kilned malts and a hint of caramel. Slight hop aroma from a late kettle addition of Mt. Hood hops. A balanced, drinkable Marzen-style lager.

Goose Island Oktoberfest-  Goose Oktoberfest is brimming with notes of toasted malt and freshly baked rye bread. This light bodied German lager is clean and crisp with a fine noble hop character and mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops. Raise a few steins of Goose Oktoberfest this fall and celebrate this time honored tradition. 5.7% ABV

Breckenridge Oktoberfest- Elegant German amber lager with restrained bitterness, a smooth creamy texture, and rich toasty and bready malt flavors. 6% ABV