Top Ten Oktoberfest Beers

As chosen by Official Review judge Brad Darnell.

The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp coolness, suggesting to the trees it’s time to produce those bold gold, red and orange leaf colors of fall. Meanwhile, a traditional fall celebration approaches.

Workers feverishly loft tents – halls if you will, which take approximately 70 days to erect, in Munich1. Brewers prepare their wares and communities across the globe mimic the annual event by adorning their towns with the blue and white flag of Munich. Yes, I am talking about Oktoberfest.

Though this festival began in Munich, Bavaria, two centuries ago in 1810, towns around the world continue to replicate the main event, which typically occurs over 16 beer, music and würst-laden days annually. While this event began originally on October 12, 1810 as a festival honoring the marriage of kronprinz Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, the decision in 1811 to repeat the affair made this the annual event we now know. Locals decided the better weather of late September was more favorable for a festival so they moved the event up a few calendar weeks.

History aside, let’s look at the beer now known as Oktoberfest, of which two categories exist: those served at the Munich Oktoberfest and those replicated and served elsewhere. According to Spatenbräu, Oktoberfest Beer just so happens to be a registered trademark by the Club of Munich Brewers, and consists of six breweries: Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spatenbräu and Hofbräu-München2.