You would think that Oktoberfest would be a really great thing if you’re a brewer, especially a German brewer. You might be surprised, though, to learn that most German brewers are actually locked out of the festivities that begin in late September and end in early October every year. That’s because by German law, only a select few brewers located in Munich (Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Lowenbrau, and Hofbrauhaus Munich) can actually sell an Oktoberfest beer in Germany and call it Oktoberfest.

So what’s a German brewer to do? Why sell their Oktoberfest beer in America, of course. And that’s exactly what Warsteiner, Germany’s largest single brewer, decided to do. For the most part a one-beer brewery, Warsteiner generates most of its sales through the distribution of Warsteiner Premium Verum, a hoppy pilsner style lager.

Enviously eyeing the impressive sales other German brewers have racked up with growing exports of Oktoberfest beers to the United States (some of whom, like Beck’s, can’t sell their versions as Oktoberfest in Germany, either), Warsteiner has released for 2003 Warsteiner Oktoberfest Beer.

A Marzen beer in style, Warsteiner Oktoberfest is a limited release that will only be available for a short time. Don’t look for it in your local liquor store or supermarket, either: this is a draft-only beer, at least for 2003. Although the trend these days is to sell more of a lighter bodied Helles at Oktoberfest in Germany these days, in America the classic Marzen style is still what most beer connoisseurs expect.

Warsteiner Oktoberfest pours to a light orange amber color with a medium to light head formation and a slightly sweet malty nose. The palate is lightly toasty with notes of subtle sweet malt and an appetizing nutty character. The finish leans to the sweet malt side with a gentle kiss of hops. This would go nicely with a few wursts and some red cabbage and sauerkraut, I think.

Overall, this isn’t a bad beer, but after drinking a half liter I was left with the impression that it needed to be kicked up a notch. Most of the classic Marzen characteristics were there, if underrepresented. While the beer is definitely worth trying, it lacks a bit when compared to the more commonly available Marzens. I think I would take a Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, or a Spaten over this one most of the time.

Update 9/5/2014: Beer of the month time at Taco Mac, and for September, 2014 the featured brewery is Warsteiner. That gave me the perfect opportunity to revisit Warsteiner Oktoberfest, a beer I hadn't had in a few years. It didn't hurt that Warsteiner Oktoberfest (or Warsteiner Premium Verum or Konig Ludwig Weissbier) were available in a full 1-liter biertstiefel (beer boot) for $24.95, and the glass is yours to keep. Still and all, you can get a pint if you prefer for $6, and Warsteiner Oktoberfest runs $8.99 a six-pack in stores here in the Atlanta area.

I definitely enjoyed my liter of Warsteiner Oktoberfest, and while my assessment remains about the same as it was in 2003, you can't go wrong with the tasty nutty-malty flavors on parade here. Indeed, I think the beer is actually better than it was the last time I had it, with more real marzenbier flavor. Is this a beer I would buy again? For sure. I just did, after all, and I would have ordered it even if it didn't come in a stiefl. Warsteiner Oktoberfest is a tasty fall treat, and heck, it comes at a fair price to boot.

Ouch.....

Update 9/7/2017: Warsteiner is beer of the month at Taco Mac once again! Tonight I'm enjoying a delicious Warsteiner Oktoberfest, and while it's not quite as good as a Spaten or a Paulaner, it is tasty with underlying notes of toasty nutty Munich malt. Only 25 cents more dear than it was 3 years ago.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



Home