Top 10 Märzen / Oktoberfest Beer Brewed in America
This Top Ten List of the best Oktoberfest Beers is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The best Oktoberfest beers are characterized by a medium body and broad range of color. They can range from golden to reddish orange. Sweet maltiness should dominate slightly over a clean, hop bitterness. Malt character should be light-toasted rather than strongly caramel. Bread or biscuit-like malt character is acceptable in aroma and flavor. Hop aroma and flavor should be low but notable. ABV: 5.1%-6.0%. IBU: 18-25.
1) Follow the Lederhosen – Moontown Brewing Company – Indiana
Prost to autumn with Follow the Lederhosen, Moontown Brewing Company’s vibrant Oktoberfest lager from Indiana. This malty masterpiece bursts with caramel sweetness and toasty bread notes, balanced by a crisp, noble hop finish. At 5.5% ABV, it’s the perfect companion for harvest festivals or cozy evenings by the fire, evoking the spirit of Bavarian tradition in every golden sip. Brewed with local pride, it’s a Hoosier favorite that brings warmth to any fall gathering.
Address: 345 S Legacy St, Whitestown, IN 46075
Website: https://www.moontownbeer.com
2) Ska-Tober Fest – Meddlesome Brewing Company – Tennessee
Unleash the fun with Ska-Tober Fest from Meddlesome Brewing Company in Tennessee—a playful twist on the classic Oktoberfest style. This 6.2% ABV amber lager delivers rich, biscuit-like malt flavors with a subtle herbal hop bite and a smooth, refreshing body. Ideal for lively gatherings or pairing with grilled sausages, it brings a ska-inspired energy to your fall celebrations. Its bold character shines at local taproom events, inviting all to skank to the beat of autumn.
Address: 7750 Trinity Rd #114, Cordova, TN 38018
Website: https://www.meddlesomebrewing.com
3) Oktoberfest – Spilled Grain Brewhouse – Minnesota
Discover the hearty warmth of Spilled Grain Brewhouse’s Oktoberfest lager from Minnesota, brewed to honor the season’s bounty. Featuring a deep amber hue, this 5.8% ABV beer offers layers of caramel malt, nutty undertones, and a clean, lager crispness. Perfect for crisp fall days, it pairs beautifully with pretzels and hearty stews, capturing the essence of Midwestern Oktoberfest cheer. Crafted with local ingredients, it’s a true taste of Minnesota’s brewing heritage.
Address: 300 Elm St E, Annandale, MN 55302
Website: https://www.spilledgrainbrewhouse.com
4) Pleasantbräu Oktoberfest – Soul Brewing – New York
Raise a glass to Pleasantbräu Oktoberfest by Soul Brewing in New York, a delightful Märzen-style lager that embodies festive joy. With 5.6% ABV, it shines with toffee and honeyed malt sweetness, accented by floral hops and a silky mouthfeel. This crowd-pleasing brew is a must for tailgates or beer gardens, blending New York craft flair with timeless German authenticity. Enjoy it fresh at their cozy taproom, a local gem in the Hudson Valley.
Address: 15 2nd St, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Website: https://www.soulbrewingco.com
5) Oktoberfest – Left Hand Brewing – Colorado
Left Hand Brewing’s Oktoberfest from Colorado is a robust tribute to Bavarian brewing heritage, crafted with precision for fall revelry. This 6.0% ABV amber lager boasts bold caramel and biscuit malt profiles, rounded out by a mild, spicy hop presence and effervescent finish. Elevate your gatherings with this versatile beer, ideal alongside roasted meats or simply enjoyed solo under the autumn stars. A Rocky Mountain staple, it’s poured with pride at their Longmont brewery.
Address: 1265 N Boston St, Longmont, CO 80501
Website: https://www.lefthandbrewing.com
6) Festbier – Big Grove Brewery & Taproom – Iowa
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa presents Festbier, a lighter take on the Oktoberfest tradition that’s full of flavor and festivity. At 5.7% ABV, this golden lager features bright malty sweetness with hints of fresh bread and citrusy hops, delivering a clean, quenching sip. Whether at a bonfire or farm-to-table dinner, it’s Iowa’s invitation to celebrate the harvest in style. Visit their vibrant taproom for a true taste of Midwest charm.
Address: 1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Website: https://www.biggrove.com
7) Oktoberfest – Golden Road Brewing – California
Golden Road Brewing’s Oktoberfest lager from California captures the sunny spirit of fall with a West Coast edge. This 6.1% ABV brew pours a brilliant copper, revealing toasty malt, subtle fruit notes, and a refreshing hop balance. Designed for beachside picnics or urban fiestas, it’s a hop-forward homage to the classics, perfect for pairing with tacos or seasonal salads. Savor it at their lively Los Angeles brewpub for a true SoCal experience.
Address: 5410 San Fernando Rd W, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Website: https://www.goldenroad.la
8) Oktoberfest – Round Trip Brewing Company – Georgia
Embark on a flavor journey with Round Trip Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest from Georgia, a Southern-infused Märzen lager that’s richly rewarding. Clocking in at 5.9% ABV, it offers deep caramel and toasted grain aromas, with a smooth, medium body and gentle hop nobility. This beer shines at backyard barbecues or music festivals, blending Georgia hospitality with authentic Oktoberfest soul. Drop by their Atlanta taproom for a pint and Southern vibes.
Address: 1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Website: https://www.roundtripbrewing.com
9) Oktoberfest Gemütlichkeit – Wiseacre Brewing – Tennessee
Wiseacre Brewing in Tennessee brews Oktoberfest Gemütlichkeit, a cozy embrace in beer form that radiates warmth and tradition. This 6.0% ABV Festbier-style lager enchants with velvety malt sweetness, hints of plum and spice, and a crisp, dry finish. Evoking good cheer and camaraderie, it’s the ultimate pour for porch swings or holiday toasts, true to Tennessee’s craft beer legacy. Visit their Memphis taproom to experience this seasonal delight firsthand.
Address: 2783 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38112
Website: https://www.wiseacrebrew.com
10) Festbier – Brick West Brewing – Washington
Brick West Brewing’s Festbier from Washington delivers Pacific Northwest precision in a classic German-inspired lager. At 5.5% ABV, this straw-gold beauty highlights clean malt character with light caramel and herbal hop nuances, finishing refreshingly dry. Crafted for outdoor adventures or rainy-day reflections, it pairs seamlessly with smoked salmon or hearty cheeses, celebrating the season’s bounty. Stop by their Spokane taproom to enjoy this crisp, festive brew.
Address: 1318 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201
Website: https://www.brickwestbrewing.com
History of Oktoberfest Beers
Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, began in 1810 in Munich, Germany, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The event featured horse races and communal festivities, but beer quickly became a centerpiece due to Bavaria’s rich brewing tradition. Early Oktoberfest beers were likely darker, malt-heavy brews, reflecting the styles popular in the region at the time, such as Dunkels or Märzen, a robust, amber lager brewed in March and stored through summer for fall consumption. These beers were crafted by Munich’s prominent breweries, like Spaten, Augustiner, and Paulaner, which adhered to the 1516 Reinheitsgebot, ensuring purity with only water, barley, and hops (yeast was later included). By the mid-19th century, Märzen became the festival’s signature beer, valued for its balanced maltiness and drinkability during the multi-day celebration.
As Oktoberfest grew into a global phenomenon, the beer evolved to suit changing tastes and brewing innovations. By the late 20th century, the darker, heavier Märzen was largely replaced by a lighter, golden-hued style known as Festbier, pioneered by Paulaner in the 1970s. Festbier offered a crisper, more approachable flavor with a similar alcohol content (around 5-6%), making it ideal for mass consumption during the festival’s raucous atmosphere. Today, only six Munich breweries—Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten—are permitted to serve beer at Oktoberfest, each producing Festbier or Märzen-style beers that adhere to strict festival standards. These beers remain a symbol of Bavarian heritage, blending centuries-old tradition with modern brewing techniques to delight millions of festivalgoers annually.
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