Hofbräu München Original Oktoberfestbier

Review Date 9/16/2000  Last Updated 10/15/2025 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Festbier   Brewery: Hofbrau   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.18 (B), $.33 (D)   ABV: 6.3%

What happened to my Oktoberfestbier? Traditionally, as we all know, Oktoberfest beer has been in the Vienna-Maerzen style, but that's not the case anymore. Yes, most of the bottled Oktoberfest beers (especially those you'll come across brewed here in America) are still in the traditional style, but if you go to the tents of one of the five Munich breweries at the Munich Oktoberfest these days you are more likely to receive a Maß (one liter glass stein) of a beer closer to the Helles style, a light colored soft-malty lager.

Still when I read the label on my bottle of Hofbräu München Original Oktoberfestbier I expected what I have usually got when I poured a bottle of this beer in the past, Maerzen beer. Surprise! Instead of a rich malty Vienna-style lager I got the Münchner Helles. That was ok though, as I enjoy a good Helles, especially when fresh, and my 1/2 liter bottle is in excellent condition, being in brown glass certainly helped.

The beer pours light gold with subtle head formation, bubbly carbonation, and a sweet malty nose with a faint whiff of grassy hops. There's a gentle, biscuity, slightly sweet malt body here making this beer extremely drinkable and very delicious. Hops are just below balancing in the finish, slightly grassy, ever so slightly minty. A wonderfully delicate beer, one of the best imported Helles I've yet to come across.

Have it with a roasted chicken as you might in Munich. Last year they went through 609,661 at Oktoberfest. Come to think of it, you might want to pick up a few extra bottles of this beer.

Update 10/1/2020: It's about time I posted an update on this beer. To be sure, I have enjoyed it many times since I last pondered upon it, but tonight three bottles in a maß are tasting so fresh bready and the beer just explodes with fresh nutty malty notes. I will confess I prefer the traditional Märzen style, but Festbier is wonderful in its own right, too. No oktoberfest season is complete without a six-pack of Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier. A bargain, too, at $9.99 for my six at Sherlock's in Kennesaw, same as I paid 20 years ago.

Update 10/15/2025: Fresh bready Hofbrau Oktoberfest in the modern Festbier style is a staple every fall chez Bruguru. I love to enjoy a Maß every year at home and fresh draft at the Helen Festhalle. This year is no exception, although last September I had it on tap at Taco Mac for $7.50. It ran me $11.99 for a six-pack at Total Wine this year, up 20% from the last time I checked in here.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??