Oktoberfest Beer
Is this a specific style of beer?
An unidentified Oktoberfest beer that I ordered. I simply asked for “an Ocktoberfest,” and the server brought me this without identifying the brand or name – just the category was enough.
Yes, calling a beer “an Oktoberfest” denotes a style of beer usually served during the traditional German Oktoberfest season.
Outside of Germany itself (where the term is interpreted very specifically and with great debate), the Oktoberfest is a type of Märzen beer, which is beer brewed in March (hence the name) and served in October. Generally, it’s darker than lager, almost red, and slightly sweet, though it can vary widely.
Why I Looked It Up
It’s that time of year, and a couple servers have mentioned a seasonal beer on the menu, then added “that’s an Oktoberfest.” I got to wondering if the definition was formal.