We are so excited for this time of year when the cooler weather starts to slowly creep in, tailgates are popped for football season and Oktoberfest is in full swing. Today, September 16th is the official kickoff to the 2023 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and it will go through October 3rd. It is typically celebrated the last couple weeks in September through the first Sunday in October or through October 3rd, whichever comes first. This year we want to provide some education about this 16 day holiday that extends beyond the walls of Germany. Also, if you can't make it to Germany this year, there is no reason why you can't pick up some Oktoberfest-style beers and celebrate with a little Beer Can Fishing.
History of Oktoberfest in Germany
Oktoberfest started back in 1810 to honor the marriage between Prince Ludwig’s and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began October 12, 1810, and lasted for almost a week, until October 17. It was common long ago to have marriage celebrations last multiple days and weeks, and after such a spectacular party, the royal couple decided to continue it in Germany annually. Over the years, it has spread through German culture outside of the country and was eventually moved earlier into September to have better weather for the outdoor celebrations.
Popular types of Oktoberfest-style beers
Oktoberfest (Oktoberfestbier) is any beer brewed by one of the six official Munich brewers below and served on the Oktoberfest grounds:
Over the years these could have been any style of beers such as Dunkels to Märzens to Festbiers, but today Festbiers are served. These are light gold in color and easy-bodied since you are drinking them in huge steins.
Festbiers – THE official beer of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany first pioneered by Paulaner. It is a strong golden German lager with floral and slight spiciness of Noble hops. They come in at 6-6.5% ABV.
Märzens – The name Marzen comes from the month of March, when the beers were originally brewed and held in cold cellars over the summer months to enjoy during the fall. These German amber lagers are typically malty and light red to chestnut in color. This style is smooth, toasty, and slightly spiced with Noble hop. Märzens are usually 5-6% ABV and in America is the most common style of Oktoberfest-style beer.
Play the Oktoberfest Beer Can Fishing drinking game
Celebrate Oktoberfest this year with a new drinking game designed to let you try all the varieties of great seasonal beers out there. Start by asking the people attending your party to purchase their favorite canned Oktoberfest-style beer and load them into your cooler. Snap on our custom beer can lids that have catchable zip ties that you can reel in with a fishing pole. The more variety of German-style drinks you are able to find, the more mystery there will be in the catch.
Best 2023 Oktoberfest American beers (in no particular order)
Beer can |
Beer details |
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Beer: Sam Adams Octoberfest About: Seasonal brew that is released every August from Samuel Adams Brewery based in Massachusetts, US. Taste: Crisp, Light, Malty, Rich, Smooth ABV: 5.3% |
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Beer: Schlafly Oktoberfest About: Clean and balanced in its amber color, sweetness and toasted malts, this beer is brewed in St. Louis, MO. Taste: Crisp, Carmel, Light, Aromatic Malts, Rich ABV: 5.5% |
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Beer: Cigar City Oktoberfest About: From Florida, this beer nods to the seasonal style with a bill of six different German malt varieties, including a generous helping of Munich malt. Taste: Rich Aromas, Malty, Hint of Caramel, Subtle Bitterness ABV: 6% |
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Beer: Tröegs Oktoberfest About: German-style lager using a traditional brewing technique called decoction, creating a bright, dry maltiness from this Pennsylvania brewer. Taste: Caramel, Fresh-Baked Bread, Flowering Herbs ABV: 6.1% |
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Beer: Left Hand Oktoberfest About: This märzen is brewed in Colorado and balances malt-driven notes of bread crust with just the right amount of noble hop character in a copper color. Taste: Malty, Crisp, Spicy, Dry Finish ABV: 6.6% |
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Beer: Midwest Coast Oktoberfest About: Born in Chicago, IL, this märzen offers a deep copper color with a toasty caramel malt aroma and subtle spice. Taste: Medium Body, Creamy, Spicy, Carmel ABV: 5.8% |
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Beer: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest About: This is a California Festbier that’s bright like polished copper, rich with biscuity malt, and balanced by a punchy blend of German and American hops. Taste: Simple, Balanced Hops, Malty, Clean Finish ABV: 6% |
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Beer: Founders Oktoberfest About: Made in Grand Rapids, MI, with imported German malts and hops with a beautiful lager yeast for the finish. Pours a gorgeous copper hue with a Taste: Rich, Crisp, Malty, Slightly Sweet ABV: 6% |
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Beer: Atwater Brewery Bloktoberfest About: Born in Detroit, MI, this beer offers nut-like characters with a clean, light sweetness brought to heel by a crisp hop finish. Taste: Nutty, Crisp, Malty, Slightly Sweet ABV: 6.1% |
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Beer: Green Bench Brewing Festbier About: From St. Petersburg, FL, this festbier is golden in color, a medium-high bread dough, and less richly toasted intensity. Taste: Hopy, Crisp, Light, Golden ABV: 5.8% |
If you want to try them, you better get your hands on them quickly as they will soon be replaced by the winter seasonal beverages.
