Cincinnati’s German heritage and long brewing tradition makes it perhaps the best place outside of Deutschland to enjoy an Oktoberfest beer. Cincinnati is home to America’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration, and although Zinzinnati didn’t happen in 2020, there were still plenty of festivities around the city.
A whopping 18 different Oktoberfest style beers were packaged around the Cincinnati metro this year, and just about every brewery in the city makes one. I set out to try all of them to figure out which was my favorite (admittedly wholly subjective), and here’s what I came up with.
The Best
Samuel Adams – Octoberfest
A true classic. Samuel Adams is best-known for lagers, and their Octoberfest is just a perfect representation of the style. The color is just so beautiful, and this one always has a nice thick head. A subtle sweet finish makes this one perfect. This marzen is 5.3% ABV.
Fifty West – Vienermobile
Canned for the first time in 2020, Vienermobile is a 5.9% festbier that’s super crisp, with a nice bready character. Fifty West definitely doesn’t get enough credit for the quality of some of their lagers.
Rhinegeist – Franz
Franz, a 5.4% marzen, is one of my favorites of the style. It’s a little sweeter than some of the others with a nice little unique hoppy aftertaste, and it’s become a reliable seasonal favorite from the city’s biggest brewery. Franz is a little unique because it’s actually brewed with an ale yeast rather than a lager yeast.
Sonder – Oktoberfest
Canned for the first time this year, Sonder’s Oktoberfest festbier is 5.5% and is a little spicier than some of the others and not as sweet. This is one that I could drink all day.
Always Good
Taft’s – Oktubberfest
Oktubberfest has become a fan favorite in Cincinnati, and the 5.7% festbier has been canned a few times. The color of this one is a nice golden orange, and it’s super crisp and drinks a little lighter than some of the others.
Fretboard – Rockin’ the Rhein
Fretboard consistently knocks it out of the park with their quality, and their 5.5% marzen is no different. This one has a great bready character and isn’t too sweet.
MadTree – Ziegler
Named for Cincinnati’s first mayor David Ziegler, MadTree canned their Ziegler festbier for the first time in 2020. It’s super smooth at 5.7% and has that great malty character that Oktoberfest beers are known for.
HighGrain – Theresa’s Meadow
This Festbier clocks in with a little higher ABV at 6.1%, and it has a nice medium body and amber color. It’s very malt-forward and drinks easy.
Bircus – Oktubafest
Canned for the first time in 2020, Oktubafest is a 6% marzen. It’s a nice copper color that’s smooth and easy drinking.
The Others (alphabetical order)
Braxton – Oktober Fuel
People always love this beer, but I’ve had it a few times, and it just doesn’t really do anything for me. It’s a 5.8% marzen, with a copper color. It’s very malty but the flavor comes off a bit dull for me.
Christian Moerlein – Fifth & Vine
One of two canned Oktoberfest offerings from Christian Moerlein, Fifth & Vine is their marzen. At 5.8%, this one is much sweeter for me and I unfortunately got a strong metallic taste from the can and not much malt backbone.
Grainworks – Oktoberfest
This marzen is 5.6% and is nice and bready but doesn’t have much of a backbone. It seemed a little thin compared to the others.
Listermann – Festbier
A little higher ABV at 6.3%, Listermann’s Festbier comes in a little sweeter but also a little thinner. The color is beautiful though.
West Side – Oktoberfest
Canned for the first time in 2020, this one was a little thin for me. A marzen, it clocks in at 5.2%. West Side also brewed a draft-only Festbier this year, which I enjoyed a little more for its more malty character.
Some friends from near and far
Great Lakes – Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest from Great Lakes might be one of the first that I ever had. The 6.5% marzen is a little higher in alcohol content, but it’s still extremely drinkable with a great malt character and some noticeable noble hops.
Bell’s – Octoberfest Beer
Bell’s always produces great beer, and their 5.5% marzen is a perfect balance of malt with just enough hops. I love the rich amber color of their offering.
Warped Wing – Lagerstadt
Warped Wing is no stranger to making good lagers, and their Lagerstadt festbier clocks in at 6%. This one has a slightly different flavor profile than some of the others, namely a slightly sweet honey flavor.
Gravely – Oompah
Gravely is an up and coming brewery in Louisville, and they make some all around solid beer. This 5.8% festbier is actually canned and/or brewed by Taft’s, and it reminds me a lot of Oktubberfest.
Sierra Nevada – Oktoberfest
Another one of the best. Sierra Nevada typically has brewed a collaboration with a German brewery for their Oktoberfest offering, but this year their solo festbier – which is 6% – was just as good as anything they’ve done before. It’s super crisp and nice and toasty with a big bready and floral flavor. Probably my second favorite behind Sam Adams.
Still to try:
Cellar Dweller – Oktoberfest
Christian Moerlein – Das Uber Lager
FigLeaf – Right on Time
Wiedemann – Oktoberfest