Fest beer!

[Donoroto]

A typical festbier in Germany is in the 4s for ABV. They don’t want people drinking 3 or 4 liters of 6%.
A Marzen is a totally different beer, Citra would be a significant mistake there. This should be closer to an English mild than an IPA, with hops barely noticed and moderate malt, with bready, toasty and grain being prominent. Sweet would also be a mistake for style, but not as big a deal.

 

[Dave Y]

Circa ’16: https://learn.kegerator.com/festbier/
Circa ’24: https://www.craftbeering.com/oktoberfest-vs-marzen-oktoberfest-style-beer/
And I did not know there was a BJCP guideline for this, but, there is:
https://www.bjcp.org/style/2015/4/4B/festbier/

I can’t say what is actually sold at the festival in Munich as to the ABV, but if it’s in the 4’s it’s more aligned with a Vienna Lager or Pilsner, or maybe Helles?
Also, more than one source on the internet says a light sweetness is within style.

Flavor​

Medium to medium-high malty flavor initially, with a lightly toasty, bread dough quality and an impression of soft sweetness. Medium to medium-low bitterness, definitely malty in the balance. Well-attenuated and crisp, but not dry. Medium-low to medium floral, herbal, or spicy hop flavor. Clean lager fermentation character. The taste is mostly of Pils malt, but with slightly toasty hints. The bitterness is supportive, but still should yield a malty, flavorful finish.

Regardless of color, it should go good with a big àss pretzel.

 

[Bigbre04]

A typical festbier in Germany is in the 4s for ABV. They don’t want people drinking 3 or 4 liters of 6%.
A Marzen is a totally different beer, Citra would be a significant mistake there. This should be closer to an English mild than an IPA, with hops barely noticed and moderate malt, with bready, toasty and grain being prominent. Sweet would also be a mistake for style, but not as big a deal.

No citra will be harmed in the making of this beer...that being said i checked the tracking on my hops and they are not going to be here until the middle of next week...fuck fedex. So Loral it is. I think i have some mandarina bavaria left? thinking 23ibus.

abv wise 5.2-5.5 seems like a decent target???

Circa ’16: https://learn.kegerator.com/festbier/
Circa ’24: https://www.craftbeering.com/oktoberfest-vs-marzen-oktoberfest-style-beer/
And I did not know there was a BJCP guideline for this, but, there is:
https://www.bjcp.org/style/2015/4/4B/festbier/

I can’t say what is actually sold at the festival in Munich as to the ABV, but if it’s in the 4’s it’s more aligned with a Vienna Lager or Pilsner, or maybe Helles?
Also, more than one source on the internet says a light sweetness is within style.



Regardless of color, it should go good with a big àss pretzel.

we already ahve pretzel w/beer cheese on the menu. we will also bring in some good mustard. Thinking a smoked beer brat w/ purple sour krout and a side of german tator salad.

 

[Bigbre04]

A typical festbier in Germany is in the 4s for ABV. They don’t want people drinking 3 or 4 liters of 6%.
A Marzen is a totally different beer, Citra would be a significant mistake there. This should be closer to an English mild than an IPA, with hops barely noticed and moderate malt, with bready, toasty and grain being prominent. Sweet would also be a mistake for style, but not as big a deal.

it looks like most of the fest beers that are served are around 6% i am guessing you are thinking of helles or crystal helles which is also served?

 

[Josh Hughes]

13.7 Plato is standard for the Big 6 for a Festbier and pale

 

[Donoroto]

it looks like most of the fest beers that are served are around 6% i am guessing you are thinking of helles or crystal helles which is also served?

Nope. I was just there in May, for the Stuttgarter Fulruehlingsfest, drank 4 liters and could still walk and talk. No 6% would let me do that.

 

[Donoroto]

Ok, that’s my experience, but doesn’t mean it is accurate or correct.

 

[Josh Hughes]

I’m talking Munich Oktoberfest big 6 only. This is from craft beer and brewing. Some of those brewer’s websites list their OG and those that do this matches.