Beers to drink at Oktoberfest style guide
Oktoberfest is not just a festival: it is a beer ritual with precise rules. Only six historic Munich breweries have permission to serve official beer at the Theresienwiese, and the allowed styles are well defined. Here is the complete guide to Oktoberfest beer styles — and where to buy them online.
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Märzen: the historic style of Oktoberfest
The Märzen (literally "March beer") is the traditional style par excellence of Oktoberfest. It was brewed in March before the summer heat made fermentation impossible and stored in cellars until autumn.
- Color: amber/copper, from 8 to 15 EBC
- Alcohol: 5.5–6.5% ABV
- Aroma: toasted malt, bread, caramel, biscuit notes
- Bitterness: low, balanced (18–25 IBU)
- Body: medium-full, round and soft
- Finish: clean, dry, slightly malty
Märzen is the beer that made Oktoberfest famous worldwide. Breweries like Spaten (which invented it in its modern form in 1841), Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr produce iconic versions.
Festbier: the modern beer of Oktoberfest
From the 1950s onwards, the major Munich breweries gradually replaced Märzen with Festbier — lighter, clearer, more drinkable. Today it is the dominant style in the large tents at Oktoberfest.
- Color: golden yellow, clear
- Alcohol: 5.8–6.3% ABV
- Aroma: delicate malt, cereals, light flowers
- Bitterness: very low (16–20 IBU)
- Body: medium, smooth
- Finish: fresh, clean, thirst-quenching
Festbier is designed to be drunk in large quantities during the festival — refreshing, easy, never tiring. Paulaner Wiesn and Augustiner Edelstoff are the absolute references.
Weizen: the wheat beer of Oktoberfest
The Weizen (or Weissbier) is always present at Oktoberfest, even if it’s not the "official" style. Appreciated for its fruity and spicy aromas, it’s the ideal choice for those who prefer more aromatic and less malty beers.
- Color: straw yellow, hazy and cloudy
- Alcohol: 4.5–5.5% ABV
- Aroma: banana, clove, fresh bread
- Bitterness: very low (10–15 IBU)
- Body: medium, creamy
- Finish: fresh, slightly spicy
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Dunkel: the Bavarian dark beer
The Dunkel ("dark" in German) is a very old Bavarian style, present at Oktoberfest in its most traditional versions. Less common than the others, but highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
- Color: dark brown, almost opaque
- Alcohol: 4.5–5.5% ABV
- Aroma: chocolate, caramel, toasted bread, dried fruit
- Bitterness: low (16–25 IBU)
- Body: medium, smooth
- Finish: sweet, rounded, with toasted notes
How to choose your Oktoberfest beer
- Do you love malty and amber beers? → Märzen
- Do you prefer something light and refreshing? → Festbier
- Do you like fruity and spicy aromas? → Weizen
- Are you a fan of dark beers? → Dunkel
Food pairings
Märzen: pork knuckle, roasts, aged cheeses, pretzels with mustard.
Festbier: sausages, roast chicken, potato salads, light dishes.
Weizen: grilled fish, seafood, fresh cheeses, salads.
Dunkel: game, stews, dark chocolate, blue cheeses.
Buy Oktoberfest beers on Maltese
On Maltese, you’ll find a curated selection of the best German Oktoberfest-style beers, with 24-48h shipping across Italy. Bring Bavarian tradition straight to your home.
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Cheers! 🍺🇩🇪
