Best German Beer for Oktoberfest 2023
If you can’t make it to Munich, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Let us talk you through some of the best German beer for Oktoberfest 2023 and how you can do it yourself at home with friends or family. Oktoberfest is more than just the beer but is about the atmosphere, the food, the music and of course the rides. Now we know you can’t pop a rollercoaster up in the back garden, but you can emulate a lot of the festival in your own way.
What is the history of Oktoberfest?
The inaugural Oktoberfest emerged in 1810 from the grand celebrations of the marriage of the crown Prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. This vibrant celebration took place on the grounds known as Theresienwiese and was concluded after five days with a horse race on the open grounds.
Those celebrations created a festival that is bigger and better than ever.[RT1] Traditional Bavarian music reverberates through the festival grounds, infusing the atmosphere with rhythm. Of course, central to Oktoberfest are the magnificent beer tents which play host to the world-famous Bavarian brews, crafted under the festival's strict regulations. Only beer from six Munich breweries may be served at Oktoberfest, which are all brewed within the Munich city limits and in accordance with the Purity Law.
One thing to note now before we go further, Oktoberfest isn’t just in October, it starts in September and finishes in October, so no need to wait till then to celebrate!
This year’s dates:
Saturday 16th September – Tuesday 3rd October
What to drink?
First things first, if you want to celebrate properly you will need to grab one of our Paulaner one Litre Maßkrug. Perfect for clinking together, filling with the best German Beer and swinging in time to the music.
The only beer to drink during Oktoberfest is the traditional styles created for the festival by the original families.
You can grab something from each of the six families: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Spaten, Hofbräuhaus & Paulaner, on Beer Merchants:
Paulaner’s Oktoberfest Bier is Germany’s favourite Oktoberfest Bier and is a true institution. The bottom-fermented German beer has the perfect balance of light tasting hops and strong notes of malt and is only brewed for Oktoberfest. Sticking to the traditional Purity law Paulaner use nothing else but water, malted barley, Herkules hops, Hallertauer Tradition hops and two pilsner malts – one light barley malt 80% and one dark barley malt 20%, making it the perfect lager beer for celebrating.
Most lager beer needs about three weeks for the brewing process, but the Oktoberfest Beer takes around six weeks. The first two weeks consists of the main fermentation and during that period the yeast has time to develop all the specific aromas. This is followed by four weeks of cold storage at about -1.5°C and this slower fermentation makes the beer super drinkable.
We have also curated the perfect Paulaner Oktoberfest-at-home box which includes eight beers, two pint glasses and two Paulaner Oktoberfest Hats. Which is currently 25% off!
You can also grab Paulaner Mini Kegs if you want to be able to get the perfect pint straight from the fridge, plus If you are looking for a gift for a German beer fan look no further than our Paulaner Oktoberfest one litre can & glass stein pack.
In most of the tents at Oktoberfest you will only get the Marzen or Oktoberfest biers, but you can also usually grab a Radler if you need something a little lighter to drink. Radler is usually made with lager and a citrus juice. Think a cloudy lemon shandy so if you have friends who are watching their alcohol intake, they don’t have to miss out on the celebrations, why not grab a Paulaner Radler to ensure they feel welcome too.
You can also get a non-alcoholic beer so don’t forget to check out our offering there too!
Six of the best German beers
In addition to Paulaner Oktoberfest we are proud to offer some of the best German beer from Munich. Augustiner are one of the most highly respected breweries and their Lagerbier Hell is a classic. It is widely regarded as one of the best lagers in the world, and it's hard to argue, especially if you’ve had it straight from the barrel in Munich.
Created in 1872, Spaten Oktoberfest beer is the world’s first Oktoberfest beer. Brewed for the greatest folk festival in the world. Medium-bodied with an impeccable taste, due to the perfect balance of hops and roasted malt flavour. Spaten Oktoberfest has a rich, textured palate with an underlying sweetness true to tradition.
The waitress is carrying ten litres, and she still has a smile on her face. Celebrating, singing, swaying – Prost! The Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest is known for its lively atmosphere. Here is where the world comes to celebrate. Hofbräu Oktoberfest beer is a full-bodied, bottom-fermented specialty beer. With its fine hoppy aroma, it’s perfect alongside a classic Oktoberfest roasted chicken.
Lowenbrau Oktoberfestbier is a bright, sparkling brew which provides an authentic taste of Oktoberfest. Served at the very first Oktoberfest celebrations back in 1810, Löwenbräu is a full bodied & malty brew with a hint of spice & a yeasty tang. So, whether you choose to wear your lederhosen or dirndl or not, Löwenbräu is sure to release your inner Bavarian from the very first sip.
Clean and refreshing, the Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfestbier is deservedly one of the greats. Hacker brewery has been in existence since 1417! After merging with the Pschorr brewery in 1972 to form Hacker-Pschorr. This amber-coloured Oktoberfest beer is slightly sweeter than the rest but still boasts a good earthy and spicy hop-kick alongside biscuity and toffee malts.
Oktoberfest has many rituals, from the barrel tapping to the food, from the lederhosen to the music. So, we’ve pulled together a few tips and tricks to creating the perfect Oktoberfest at home experience.
What to say?
Why not learn a few phrases like how to order a beer in German, to get you in the spirit:
Prost! (pronounced: prohst) - This is the German word for "Cheers!" Raise your glass and cry Prost before taking a sip of your Oktoberfest beer.
Ein Bier, bitte. (pronounced: ine beer, bit-teh) - "One beer, please." How to order a beer in German when you're at an Oktoberfest celebration.
Danke schön! (pronounced: dan-keh shern) - "Thank you very much!" How to thank the waiters & waitresses for their amazing service.
Ich liebe Oktoberfest! (pronounced: ikh lee-beh ok-toh-ber-fest) - "I love Oktoberfest!" What more do you need to say?
You can find other phrases HERE.
What to play?
Music is very import at Oktoberfest, every tent has their own live music and doesn’t just include traditional brass band music. Most bands will cover those songs, but they include huge pop hits too and nearly every tent will end on the legendary Angels by Robbie Williams.
Why not create the perfect Oktoberfest with traditional song and modern bangers, here are some songs you must include:
Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit – the most important drinking song to know!
Mamor, Stein und Eisen bricht – Drafi Deutscher
99 Luftballons – Nena
Tage wie diese – Die Toten Hosen
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Go West – Village People
Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
I love Rock ‘n’ Roll – Joan Jett
Check out Paulaner’s Playlist on Spotify for more!
Or listen to Paulaner’s house band Nachtstark’s two-hour concert while you party the night away.
What to Eat?
The Bavarian snack board known in Germany as a “Brotzeitbrettl” is just as much a part of Oktoberfest as riding the Ferris wheel or drinking a cold German beer. To enjoy the perfect snack board at home, watch the video Paulaner have created – it also works great with local foods too.
Armed with a box of the finest German beer, a great playlist, some traditional food and the knowledge of how to order a beer in German, what more could you need to celebrate the greatest festival in the world, at home.
We hope you have an amazing Oktoberfest however you choose to celebrate.
