Festbier: A Lighter, Brighter Oktoberfest Classic

Festbier, a celebrated style of German lager that is served during Munich’s famed Oktoberfest, carries with it a rich history and a unique character that embodies the spirit of Bavarian festivals. Its roots are deeply entwined with tradition, and its evolution tells a story of cultural heritage, seasonal celebrations and a deep-seated love for finely crafted brews.

Here, we will cover everything about the Festbier style including its origin and history, characteristics, flavor profile, attributes, how to serve, food pairings, popular and best brands around the world and in the U.S., a customized recipe and FAQs.

The Origin And History Of Festbier

Festbier, also known as Oktoberfest, Wiesn or Festibiere, is a traditional German beer style closely associated with Oktoberfest, the world-renowned beer festival held annually in Munich. Its origins and history are deeply intertwined with the development of Oktoberfest itself and the evolution of beer styles in Bavaria.

Oktoberfest Beginnings (1810)

The roots of Festbier are linked to the first Oktoberfest, held in October 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

This event was marked by horse races, feasting, and, of course, beer. The beer served at this early festival was similar to the Märzen style, a stronger, amber-colored beer brewed in March and stored for consumption in the fall.

Märzenbier Influence

The original Oktoberfest beers were variations of Märzenbier, which was darker, maltier and had a higher alcohol content than typical lagers. Märzen was brewed in the cooler months of March (März in German) and stored in cool cellars or caves during the summer. This beer became a staple at Oktoberfest in the 19th century.

Shift from Märzen to Festbier (1970s)

In the 1970s, Oktoberfest saw a significant change in the type of beer being served. The traditional Märzen, while popular, began to be replaced by a lighter, golden-colored lager, now known as Festbier.

This change was driven by the desire for a beer that was easier to drink in larger quantities, as Oktoberfest had grown into a massive event attracting millions of visitors.

Oktoberfest Today

Today, Festbier is the official beer of Oktoberfest, served by the six major Munich breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. These breweries have exclusive rights to brew and serve beer at the event, and their Festbiers are enjoyed by millions each year.

Characteristics And Flavor Profile Of Festbier

Festbier is a harmonious, malt-forward beer with a clean, smooth profile, making it an ideal companion for traditional German festivities. Here are its key characteristics and flavor profile:

Characteristics

Color:Festbier typically has a deep golden to light amber color, lighter than Märzen, another Oktoberfest beer style.
Body: It has a medium body with a smooth mouthfeel, which makes it highly drinkable.
Alcohol Content: The alcohol by volume (ABV) ranges from 5.8% to 6.3% to provide a moderate level of strength.
Carbonation:Festbier requires medium carbonation to contribute to its refreshing quality.
Malt Profile: The malt backbone is prominent, with a clean, bready and slightly toasty flavor, achieved through the use of Pilsner and Munich malts.
Hop Profile: It has a low to moderate hopbitterness, often from noble hops like Hallertau, which provide mild spicy or floral notes without overpowering the malt.

Flavor Profile

Malt-Forward: The primary flavor of Festbier is its maltiness, with sweet, bready and slightly toasted notes.
Balanced Bitterness: The hopbitterness is subdued to balance the sweetness of the malt without dominating the flavor.
Clean Fermentation:Festbier has a clean fermentation profile, with minimal fruity esters or phenols to allow the malt and hop flavor to shine.
Smooth and Crisp Finish: The finish is smooth, with a crispness that makes Festbier highly quaffable and perfect for the festive season.

Festbier Attributes

SRM: 4 – 7
IBUs: 18 – 25
ABV: 5.8% – 6.3%
Original Gravity: 1.050 – 1.057
Color:Deep gold to light amber
Clarity: Clear
Carbonation: Moderate
Hops:Noble hops, low to moderate bitterness
Malt: Pilsner and Munich malts, bready, slightly toasty

How To Properly Drink And Serve Festbier

Festbier is more than just a beer—it’s a symbol of tradition, camaraderie and celebration. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large Oktoberfest party, serving this seasonal brew properly is essential to capturing its full character and enhancing the overall experience.

1. Chill the Beer

Festbier should be served cold but not overly chilled. Place the bottles or kegs in the fridge or cooler, aiming for a temperature between 40-45°F (4-7°C). This temperature range preserves the beer’s malt-forward flavors while providing a refreshing drinking experience.

2. Choose the Right Glass

The choice of glassware enhances the overall experience of this style of beer. Opt for a traditional beer stein or a dimpled glass mug, which not only holds a generous serving but also keeps the beer cool longer. The thick glass and sturdy handle give it a classic Oktoberfest festival feel, making it easy to hold during long celebrations.

3. Pour Properly

Proper pouring technique is key to showcasing Festbier’s rich golden color and forming a thick, foamy head. Hold the glass at a 45-degree angle and pour the beer slowly down the side. As the glass fills, gradually straighten it to create a fluffy head of foam that traps the beer’s aromas and enhances the drinking experience.

4. Serve with a Smile

Festbier is best enjoyed in a festive atmosphere, often shared among friends and family. When serving, present the glass with the handle facing the drinker, to ensure it’s easy to grab. The act of serving with a smile adds to the convivial spirit, which encourages everyone to relax and enjoy the moment.

Food Pairings

Festbier’s malty sweetness and smooth, balanced profile make it an ideal companion for a variety of hearty and flavorful dishes. Here are some traditional and complementary food pairings that elevate the Festbier experience:

1. Pretzels with Mustard

A classic Oktoberfest snack, warm soft pretzels with a side of tangy mustard provide a satisfying contrast to the beer’s maltiness. The saltiness of the pretzel highlights the beer’s subtle sweetness, while the mustard adds a zesty kick.

2. Bratwurst and Sauerkraut

The savory, spiced flavors of bratwurst pair perfectly with Festbier. Serve with sauerkraut for a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the sausage, balancing the beer’s smooth finish.

3. Roast Chicken

A staple of Oktoberfest, roast chicken is a juicy, flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with Festbier. The crispy skin and tender meat complement the beer’s malt-forward character for a comforting and satisfying meal.

4. Schnitzel

This breaded and fried cutlet, whether made from pork, chicken or veal, is a delightful match for Festbier. The crispy coating and juicy interior of schnitzel harmonize with the beer’s slightly toasted malt notes to create a rich, cohesive flavor profile.

5. Cheese Platter

Offer a selection of mild to medium cheeses like gouda, havarti or Emmental. These cheeses complement Festbier’s creamy texture and slight sweetness to provide a delicious contrast to the beer’s smooth, malty base.

6. Apple Strudel

For dessert, consider serving apple strudel. The sweet, spiced filling of this traditional pastry pairs beautifully with the caramel and biscuit notes in Festbier, rounding off the meal on a warm, comforting note.

Comparison: Festbier vs Märzen

Aspect	Festbier	Märzen
History and Origin	A more recent evolution, Festbier has become the official beer of Munich’s Oktoberfest since the 1970s, replacing Märzen at the festival.	Traditionally brewed in March (“März” in German) and stored in cool caves to be consumed during Oktoberfest. It has been associated with the festival since the early days of Oktoberfest in the 19th century, though it has been replaced by Festbier in recent years.
Color	Lighter in color, ranging from pale gold to light amber, making it more similar in appearance to other pale lagers.	Typically has a rich amber to deep copper color, which reflects the malt-forward nature of the beer.
Flavor Profile	Lighter and crisper, with a more subtle malt profile. It has a clean, bready malt character with a gentle hop bitterness. It is refreshing and easier to drink in larger quantities.	Malt-driven with flavors of caramel, toasted bread and a hint of nuttiness. The malt sweetness is balanced by a moderate hop bitterness.
Alcohol Content	Slightly lower in alcohol, typically around 5.8% to 6.3% ABV, which makes it more sessionable for festival-goers.	Generally has an ABV ranging from 5.1–6.0%, which means it’s slightly heavier
Mouthfeel	Lighter in body, with a more effervescent carbonation that contributes to its crisp finish.	Medium-bodied with a smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel due to the higher malt content.

Customized Festbier Recipe

As Oktoberfest draws near, there’s no better way to capture the spirit of the season than by brewing your own Festbier. This recipe has been carefully customized to deliver the perfect blend of malt sweetness, crisp hop bitterness, and a clean, smooth finish that defines this celebrated style.

Ingredients

1. Grain

9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) Pilsner Malt: Provides the light color and bready, slightly sweet malt flavor.
2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) Munich Malt: Adds depth with a malty richness and slight toasty flavor.
0.5 lbs (0.23 kg) Vienna Malt: Contributes to a fuller body and enhances the malt complexity.

2. Hops

1 oz (28 g) Hallertau Mittelfrüh (4% AA) – 60 minutes: Traditional German hop known for its mild, herbal and slightly spicy aroma.
0.5 oz (14 g) Tettnang (4% AA) – 30 minutes: Adds a delicate floral and herbal note.
0.5 oz (14 g) Saaz (3.5% AA) – 15 minutes: Complements the other hops with a subtle earthy and slightly peppery character.

3. Yeast (Choose one)

Wyeast 2206 Bavarian Lager Yeast: Provides a clean, crisp fermentation with slight malt accentuation.
Saflager W-34/70: A versatile dry yeast option that also results in a clean, well-attenuated beer.

4. Water Additions (optional)

Gypsum: Enhances hop sharpness.
Calcium Chloride: Accentuates maltiness.

5. Other

Whirlfloc Tablet (optional) – 15 min: Helps with beer clarity.
Yeast Nutrient (optional) – 10 min: Ensures a healthy fermentation.

Brewing Process

Step 1. Mash

Water Volume: Start with about 3.5 gallons (13.25 L) of water at 168°F (76°C).
Mash-In: Add grains to the water, aiming for a mash temperature of 152°F (67°C). Hold this temperature for 60 minutes.
Mash-Out: Raise the temperature to 168°F (76°C) for 10 minutes to stop enzyme activity.

Step 2. Sparge

Sparge with 170°F (77°C) water until you collect about 6.5 gallons (24.6 L) of wort.

Step 3. Boil

Total Boil Time: 90 minutes.

Step 4. Hop Additions

60 minutes: Add Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops.
30 minutes: Add Tettnang hops.
15 minutes: Add Saaz hops and Whirlfloc tablet.
10 minutes: Add yeast nutrient (if using).

Step 5. Chill

Quickly cool the wort to about 50°F (10°C) using a wort chiller.

Step 6. Fermentation

Primary Fermentation: Transfer the wort to a sanitized fermenter and pitch the yeast. Ferment at 50°F (10°C) for 2 weeks.
Diacetyl Rest: Raise the temperature to 65°F (18°C) for 2 days at the end of fermentation to ensure a clean profile.
Lagering: Gradually lower the temperature to 35°F (2°C) and lager for 4-6 weeks for a smooth, clean finish.

Step 7. Packaging

Kegging: Force carbonate to 2.4-2.6 volumes of CO2.
Bottling: Prime with 3.5 oz (100 g) of corn sugar dissolved in 2 cups of boiling water. Cool and add to the beer, then bottle.

Popular Festbier Brands

Now that you’ve explored the process of brewing your own Festbier, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the popular brands and craft breweries that have perfected this classic style.

Top 5 Breweries Producing Festbier in the U.S.

As the popularity of Festbier continues to rise, several breweries across the United States have embraced this traditional German style, each bringing their unique twist to the classic festival brew. From established favorites to innovative newcomers, these breweries exemplify the diverse and vibrant world of American Festbier.

1. Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Great Lakes Brewing Co., based in Cleveland, Ohio, is a prominent source of Festbier in the United States. Established in 1988, this brewery has a rich history of crafting quality brews.

Their Festbier showcases a smooth, malty character with a balanced hop bitterness to capture the essence of this traditional style. Alongside Festbier, Great Lakes Brewing Co. also produces renowned beers like Edmund Fitzgerald Porter and Dortmunder Gold Lager.

Untappd Rating: ⭐3.71
Total Ratings: 1,956,523
Open: 12 PM – 10 PM
Address: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States
Website: Great Lakes Brewing Co.

2. Sierra Nevada Brewing

Located in Chico, California, Sierra Nevada Brewing can be considered a premier source of festbier for Americans. The brewery has a rich history of crafting high-quality beers since its establishment in 1980.

The Oktoberfest Festbier, produced by the California brewery, is known for its smooth malt character and balanced bitterness, which embodies the traditional style with a modern twist. In addition to its festbier, Sierra Nevada is renowned for its Pale Ale, Torpedo Extra IPA and a variety of seasonal and specialty brews.

Untappd Rating: ⭐3.70
Total Ratings: 7,686,284
Open: 11 AM – 9 PM
Address: 1075 East 20th Street, Chico, CA
Website: Sierra Nevada Brewing

3. Brooklyn Brewery

Brooklyn Brewery, located in Brooklyn, New York, is another notable source of Festbier in the U.S. Founded in 1988, it has become a staple in the craft beer community. Brooklyn Brewery is known for its flagship Brooklyn Lager and the flavorful Brooklyn Brown Ale.

The Brewery’s Märzen Oktoberfest Lager showcases a traditional German style with a deep golden hue and a balanced malt profile. Its smooth, slightly sweet taste is complemented by a subtle hop bitterness, making it a perfect example of this festive lager.

Untappd Rating: ⭐3.54
Total Ratings: 2,833,370
Open: 4 PM – 9 PM
Address: 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
Website: Brooklyn Brewery

4. Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams, a flagship brand of The Boston Beer Company, has been a cornerstone in the craft beer industry since its founding in 1984 by Jim Koch. Known for its flagship Samuel Adams Boston Lager, the brewery offers a diverse range of beers, including seasonal and specialty brews.

Samuel Adams’ Festbier Smooth Lager features a malt-forward profile with a clean, smooth finish, perfectly embodying the classic characteristics of an Oktoberfest beer. With a reputation for excellence, Samuel Adams has played a significant role in popularizing craft beer across the United States and beyond, and its Festbier is a testament to that influence.

Untappd Rating: ⭐3.47
Total Ratings: 6,021,032
Open: 3 PM – 11 PM
Address: September 27, 1722, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Website: Samuel Adams

5. Athletic Brewing Co.

Athletic Brewing Co., founded in 2017, has transformed the non-alcoholic beer market with high-quality craft brews. Based in Stratford, Connecticut, the company specializes in delivering full-flavored beers like Upside Dawn Golden Ale and Run Wild IPA, all with 0.5% ABV or less.

Athletic Brewing Co.’s Non-Alcoholic Oktoberfest brings the festive spirit of autumn with its rich, malty flavor and balanced sweetness, all while maintaining a 0.5% ABV. This brew captures the essence of a traditional Oktoberfest, which is also a great choice for those seeking a seasonal craft beer without the alcohol.

Untappd Rating: ⭐3.43
Total Ratings: 116,893
Open: 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: 75 Cascade Boulevard, Milford, CT 06460, US
Website: Athletic Brewing Co.

Festbier Best Brands

These well-known and widely available brands are the highest-rated Festbier beers that have been evaluated in The Beer Connoisseur‘s Official Review.

We recommend seeking out these exemplars of the style.

Riegele Privat
Brauhaus Riegele
Rated 98 (World Class)

East Brother Festbier
East Brother Beer Co.
Rated 96 (World Class)

Festie Oktoberfest Lager
Starr Hill Brewery
Rated 94 (Exceptional)

Judging Criteria for Festbier

The Beer Connoisseur’s Official Review is conducted in a single-blind format that adheres to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).

The BJCP criteria for reviewing Festbier is as follows.

Style Family – Pale Malty European Lager, Category 4

Category 4A. Munich Helles
Category 5B. Festbier
Category 5C. Helles Bock

Download the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines (PDF version) for a full description of this style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Helles and Festbier?

Helles is a light, golden lager with a mild malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness, typically enjoyed year-round. Festbier, on the other hand, is a stronger, richer lager brewed specifically for Oktoberfest, which offers a fuller body and more pronounced malt character while still maintaining a smooth finish.

What category is Festbier?

Festbier falls under the category of “German-Style Lager”.

Is Festbier lager or ale?

Festbier is a Lager.

What is the difference between Vienna lager and Festbier?

Vienna Lager is an amber, malt-forward beer with toasty, caramel notes, typically lighter in body. Festbier, associated with Oktoberfest, is a golden, slightly stronger lager with a more pronounced malt sweetness and a smoother, fuller mouthfeel, designed for festive drinking.

Are German beers ales or lagers?

German beers can be both ales and lagers. Ales, like Kölsch and Weissbier, are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures. Lagers, including Pilsner, Märzen and Festbier, use bottom-fermenting yeast and are brewed at cooler temperatures.

Is Oktoberfest a brown ale?

No, Oktoberfest is not a brown ale, it is a style of German lager.

What is the official beer of Oktoberfest?

The official beer of Oktoberfest is Festbier.

How to pronounce festbier?

“Festbier” is pronounced as “fest-beer,” with the “fest” sounding like “fest” in “festival” and “bier” pronounced like “beer.” The emphasis is on the first syllable: FEST-beer.

What does festbier mean?

Festbier is a German term meaning “festival beer.”

Closing Thoughts: Putting the “Fest” In Festbier

Festbier is a delightful style that has become the standard-bearer for drinkers that want to take part in the greatest beer celebration in the world every year: Munich’s Oktoberfest!

This smooth and clean pale German lager strikes the perfect balance between strength and drinkability. With a moderately strong malty flavor and a subtle hop character, it offers a refined taste experience that’s both satisfying and refreshing. The elegant German malt flavors shine through without feeling too heavy, making each sip enjoyable and inviting. Its crisp finish leaves you reaching for another, ensuring a beer that’s as easy to drink as it is flavorful. Ideal for those who appreciate a classic, well-crafted lager.

So if you’re seeking out a fall seasonal beer, maybe skip the dark Marzen next time and reach for a satisfying, golden and rewarding Festbier.