Six Munich Breweries Define the Traditional Oktoberfest Beer Style

Only beer produced by Munich breweries is served at Oktoberfest, abiding by the oldest “Reinheitsgebot” (The German Beer Purity Law). Big Six Oktoberfest breweries flaunt their special festbiers a few weeks before the festival's commencement. 

The six official Oktoberfest breweries are Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. The beer served at the festival complies with the criteria of the protected "Oktoberfest Beer" label. A court in Munich ruled in 1990 that Oktoberfest is officially the “Festival of Munich Beer.”

Historical Background of Oktoberfest Beer

For the first few years, dark lagers, famous today as Munich Dunkel-style, were consumed at the first iteration of Oktoberfest. It was brewed completely with amber-colored malt and had a reddish brown and copper hue. 

The Brewing method followed Bavarian brewing law, which stated, “Beer could only be brewed from September 29 (St. Michael’s Day) to April 23 (St. George’s Day).” This rule was made because hot summer temperatures were likely to cause off-flavor beer during fermentation.

The shortage of Oktoberfest beer resulted in the Marzen-style beer. Spaten Brewery paved the way for a lighter amber-red traditional Dunkel labeled as Marzenbier. 

Oktoberfest Beer Characteristics From Color to Flavor

The best German Oktoberfest beer has many fascinating facts associated with it, making it one of a kind. 

Common Names for the Oktoberfest Beer

The Oktoberfest beer is known by various names around the world, each conveying a specific meaning. 

• Märzenbier

• Wiener Märzen

• Festbier

• Oktoberfestbier 

Marzen and Oktoberfestbier are two of the most common names for beer. The former refers to the month “March,” in which it is brewed, while the latter points to the Oktoberfest festival, during which the last barrels of this strong, rich beer are consumed.

Characteristics of the Oktoberfest Beer

The Oktoberfest beer has peculiar characteristics that differentiate it from other beer styles. 

Ingredients of Oktoberfest Marzen Beer

The Oktoberfest beer can only be brewed according to the German Purity Law, which suggests only the use of the ingredients listed below:

• Hop

• Barley

• Yeast

• Water

The six Oktoberfest beers go through the process of cold fermentation, with a period of cold storage(Lagering).

Oktoberfest Breweries Allowed to Serve at Festival

Only six breweries are allowed to serve their Oktoberfest beers at the festival. Each brew has different characteristics, but they are all Marzen-style lagers. 

Fact: All six Munich beer brands must have at least 13.5% original wort. This makes the beer taste rich and full of flavor.

Augustiner Beer

At Oktoberfest, they serve a special beer called Wiesnbier. It’s stronger than regular beer, with 6.2% alcohol. You can find it in big tents like:

• Fischer Vroni

• Augustiner Festival Tent

• Tradition Festival Tent

• Schützenlisl Folk Singers’ Tent

• Boandlkramerei Musicians’ Tent

Two smaller tents, Ammer Chicken and Duck Grill and Zur Bratwurst Festival Tent, also serve Augustiner Oktoberfest Beer. The brewery's most famous beer is Augustiner Hell. It comes in a cool bottle with a picture of a monk on it.

Fact: Augustiner is the only brewery still using Hirschen to store their beer in big wooden barrels.

Hacker-Pschorr Beer

Since 2007, Hacker-Pschorr beer has come in awesome bottles with swing tops that make a fun "plop" when you open them. Their German Oktoberfest beer is strong, with an ABV of 6.0%! It is available at big tents like:

• Hacker Festzelt

• Bräurosl

A few smaller tents, such as Fisch Bäda, Heimer Enten—und Hühnerbraterei, and Poschner's, also serve it. 

Hofbrau Beer

Hofbräu first served its beer at Oktoberfest in 1950 in a tent called Schottenhamel-Festhalle. It made an unplanned appearance at the festival because the Schottenhamel family and Spaten Brewery didn’t agree on the price of beer. Hofbräu stepped in with its German Oktoberfest beer. 

In 1952, Hofbräu got its very own tent at the festival. Since then, the Hofbräu beer with the 6.2% ABV is ONLY served at the Hofbräu Festzelt.

Paulaner Beer

It is the youngest brewery at Oktoberfest, but it’s still really old! At first, the monks kept the beer for themselves. On special days, they shared it with everyone. People loved it, especially the Bock beer made from Brother Barnabas’ recipe. Soon, everyone in Munich wanted to drink it!

Since 1818, the brewery has been serving its Oktoberfest Paulaner beer. This beer is strong, with a 6% alcohol content. It is served in large tents, including:

• Paulaner Festzelt

• Armbrustschützenzelt

• Käferzelt

Some small tents, such as Heinz Wurst—und Hühnerbraterei, Metzger Stubn, Münchner Knödelei, and Münchner Stubn tent, also serve it.

Lowenbrau Beer

In the 1800s, the Löwenbräu Oktoberfest Brewery was the biggest brewery in Munich. At Oktoberfest, there’s a huge lion outside Lowenbrau Festzelt replicating the logo on the beer bottle that roars “Löööö-whee-brääääu” and even drinks beer—it’s a funny sight for everyone! 

At Oktoberfest, they serve a special beer called Wiesntrunk. It has 6.1% alcohol and is also available at the large tent Schützen Festzelt or the small marquee Haxnbraterei.

Fun Fact: The lion logo matches the Oktoberfest Lowenbrau beer, replicating Bavaria's coat of arms. 

Spaten Beer

In 1894, Spaten made history by brewing the first Münchner Hell beer. This lager has a light-golden color, mild, malty sweetness, and a crisp, clean finish.

Spaten and Franziskaner Oktoberfest beer is served at the Schottenhamel tent, where the Mayor commences the festival by official keg tapping. The Spaten Oktoberfest beer has 5.9% alcohol. It’s also available in other large tents, like Marshall and Ochsenbraterei.

Small tents serving Oktoberfest Spaten beer include:

• Glöckle Wirt

• Goldener Hahn

• Kalbsbraterei

• Wildstuben

• Wirtshaus im Schichtl

Fun Fact: Spaten’s Oktoberfest beer has a spade logo, which is where its name comes from. It’s like a shovel but for beer!

Facts About Oktoberfest Beer

Here are some of the fascinating facts about Oktoberfest beer:

• Only Munich breweries that serve beer at the Wiesn can be called Oktoberfest beer. 

• Oktoberfest beers ranked around the world and had a record of 7.7 million liters consumed in 2014.

• A liter of Oktoberfest beer in a stein is also called 1 Maß.

• One liter of beer can raise your blood alcohol level to about 0.76. 

• Oktoberfest beer is intentionally brewed stronger in order for it to last until September. 

Summary

Oktoberfest beer is a special kind that is only brewed for the festival. It is a Marzen-style beer that used to be Dunkel until Spaten first introduced it to the Oktoberfest. It has a high alcohol content, is brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law within the limits of Munich, and only Bix Six Oktoberfest Beer brands are allowed to be served at the festival. The Oktoberfest beer is light amber and washes down the palate easily.