Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest

Review Date 9/26/2002  Last Updated 8/17/2020 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Oktoberfest   Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.12 (B), $.41 (D)   ABV: 5.3%

Lately, it seems like I'm drinking Oktoberfest beers and little else. That's not entirely true, of course, but I am drinking more of the Marzen style right now than any other. And why not? It's certainly the season for it, and there are a large number of these deliciously malty brews from which to choose. Indeed, this is a beer drinker's heaven on Earth.

The Bavarians have long enjoyed their own liquid paradise if you will in the form of Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest. The brewery itself has long been known as "Bavaria's Heaven" (Himmel der Bayern), and indeed it is one of the original Munich breweries legally allowed to brew and sell Oktoberfest beer within Germany.

Hacker-Pschorr is no Johann-come-lately. The brewery can trace its roots all the way back to 1417. It got a big boost from the business acumen of Georg Pschorr (1798-1867), who some say invented Bavarian Weisse Bier as we know it today. You can see his picture on bottles of Pschorr-Brau Weisse. Recently, Munich's Hacker-Pschorr brewery was acquired by one of Munich's other brewing giants, Paulaner.

Hacker-Pschorr beers have a long history with me, too. I have enjoyed the Weisse as one of my favorites for close to two decades now, and the Oktoberfest was one of the very first of the style I ever tasted. Today, Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest is available year round, but I still enjoy it more this time of year than any other.

Not too long ago I was in Sherlock's Wine and Spirits in Marietta, Georgia perusing the beer aisles as I am wont to do when I spotted a glint of light gleaming off of brand new bottles of Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest. I quickly scoffed up a six-pack of this fresh German brew and took it home with me, where it would join the ranks of so many other Oktoberfest brews ensconced safely away in the depths of my beer fridge.

So far, this one ranks at the top, as usual. It's as good as it ever was, and along with Paulaner and Ayinger forms a triumvirate of my favorites. It might be my favorite of the three at that. It is clearly more authentic than domestic versions I've paired it against: Samuel Adams (though I like that one a lot), Harpoon (not very authentic this year at all), and Dogwood (read my review of this one).

Hacker Pschorr Original Oktoberfest pours to a delightful orange-amber color that is quite reminiscent of beautiful fall leaves. It forms a thick creamy head and produces an appetizing, slightly sweet malt nose. The palate is complex with sweet malt flavors, a subtle toasty character, and robust nutty malt notes topped off with a touch of chewy caramel. The finish is fairly balanced, perhaps leaning to the slightly sweet side.

I love this beer. I truly think it is my favorite Oktoberfest. It is more-ish and eminently drinkable, and a bargain at the $6.49 a six-pack I paid. If you drink one Oktoberfest beer this year, make it a Hacker-Pschorr.

Update 10/25/2015: I've been drinking a lot of Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest this year. First, a 32-ounce growler from Stout's growlers here in Canton for $7.75 was a nutty malty treat as well as a bargain. A mug at Taco Mac for $6.50 later in October was delicious while watching the Patriots defeat the New York Jets, and a six-pack is $8.55 at Target. This is still one of my very favorite examples of the style, and a toasty-nutty melanoidin bomb that should not be missed.

Update 8/17/2020: Welcome to Augtoberfest! Octoberfest beers are already hitting the shelves, and one of my all time favorites is Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Marzen. Nobody brews this style like the Germans do and this delightful fall classic is as toasty nutty and full on malty as ever. I got a six-pack at Target for just $8.54, and it's in nifty new bottles this year to boot. Will my six-pack make it to the end of September? If not, I'll have to buy more.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??