Festbier & Oktoberfest

When you think of beer festivals, Oktoberfest is probably one of the first that comes to mind. The celebration is a favorite all over the world and every year, millions of people get together to share German-inspired food, music, dancing, games, and of course, beer. 

The History of Oktoberfest 

The very first Oktoberfest took place in Munich, Bavaria, on October 12, 1810, and despite what you may think, it was not a beer festival. The celebration honored the marriage of Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, with the entire city taking part in five days of music, dancing, a feast, and on the last day, a highly anticipated horse race. 

The celebration was such a success, the city decided to repeat it the next year. And so was born “Oktoberfest.” 

After a few years, an agricultural fair was added to the festival to help boost the economy and a few years after that, carnival tents appeared to draw in more families. Oktoberfest grew larger each year and in 1819, it became an official annual event in Munich. By the mid-late 1800s, the festival was moved to September to take advantage of longer days and drier, warmer weather, and remains that way today. 

Oktoberfest Beer Styles 

Beer was always part of the festival, but it didn’t become abundant until later in the decade. In the early years, just a few brewers participated, and Oktoberfest attendees were likely served dark lagers that resemble today’s Munich-style Dunkels.  

Slowly, more and more breweries became part of the celebration. Then in the middle of the 18^th century, the Märzen style of beer (or better known simply as Oktoberfest in the states) was introduced to festivalgoers and became one of the most classic Oktoberfest beer styles. Once World War I began in 1914, many Oktoberfest celebrations were canceled and after the war, brewing styles varied; Märzens remained popular along with other styles that fluctuated in ABV strength. Most beers, however, tended to be malt-forward and with a copper or reddish-brown hue. 

The Rise of Festbier 

By the 1970s, Munich’s Paulaner Brewery thought Oktoberfest could use a lighter beer option and debuted a traditional German style called Festbier. The gold-colored lager with a moderate malty flavor and a light hop character slowly overtook Märzens and the darker, maltier, styles as the crowd favorite. By the late 1980s-early 1990s, Festbier became the most popular beer at Oktoberfest and today, many of the 6+ million liters of beer poured every year in Munich are Festbiers. 

A Spirited Collaboration 

This year, Buoy partnered with Zoiglhaus Brewing Company to create a Festbier that embodies the Oktoberfest spirit. Crafted with heirloom German malts and balanced with Kazbek and Hallertau hops, this crisp, full-bodied lager boasts flavors of freshly baked bread and aromas of biscuit, honey, and floral notes with a hint of bitterness and a clean finish. 

“Many American Oktoberfest beers lean toward a darker Vienna or Munich style,” says Head Brewer Matt Jones. “We wanted to create a lighter style that’s unique and approachable. And by using Czech-style Kazbek hops, our version of Festbier has a nice spicy, floral aroma and a citrusy finish that will leave you wanting more.” 

Oktoberfest at Buoy Beer Co. wraps up with a grand finale on October 5th! Join us at our new taproom from 12-8 PM for a day of fun, featuring the final Stein-ly Cup competitions, live music, and the release of Decapitator, our barrel-aged Doppelbock. Admission is free, ½- and full- liter steins will be full, and all ages are welcome—it’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of our five-week Oktoberfest extravaganza! 

Buoy’s limited-edition Festbier can be found on draft and in 16oz cans throughout the Pacific Northwest but in limited quantities so get yours soon! Prost!