Background – From Neshaminy Creek themselves “It’s Creekfest time! This is our traditional German-style Festbier brewed once a year to celebrate the beginning of fall and all of the Oktoberfest merriment that the season brings. Best enjoyed while donning your favorite pair of lederhosen, Creekfestbier Lager is brewed with Pilsner and Munich malts for a medium body and toasty backbone. Herkules and Hallertauer hops balance the bready character with a touch of bitterness. The crisp, dry finish will leave you wanting another liter…or two. Prost!”

Appearance – The can design is everything I expect out of Neshaminy Creek. Alot of details and something funny, you have a coocoo clock with two Germans saying cheers with the nice blue and white checker design on the back of the can. Once poured it looks like most Marzens. A foamy head with a ton of lacing and that traditional burnt amber color.

Aroma – This aroma for this one is quite strong. You have big notes of caramel and with toasted grains and malts as the foundation. If you let this one warm a bit I can also notice some pretzel which is fitting for an Oktoberfest

Taste: The flavor is all about the caramel and malts with a slight toasted grain finish. There is a hint of spice but I can’t tell if its the hops or something else. Either way I really like what I am getting out of this one.

Drinkability – As one of the lowest ABVs for a Marzen (5.2%) this really helps in how easy it is to go through a few cans of these bad boys. You will notice a medium body with a hop and sweet finish. The surprise here is how it feels heavy for such a light brew.

Overall – I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this one. That’s not a knock on Neshaminy Creek because I enjoy all their beers, but for a non German brewer to make such a tasty Marzen I was impressed. This is a definite must try for you Oktoberfest beer enthusiasts.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Northgard. In a world of RTS’ that get overlooked this is one you should really try. It may be smaller in scale compared to other games but the various Viking Clans all offer something fun and unique. So grab a 6 pack and enjoy your time.

Background – From Tröegs themselves “Our take on this timeless German style starts with a traditional brewing technique called decoction, creating a bright, dry maltiness. A kettle addition of Hallertau Tradition hops adds subtle floral and herbal undercurrents to this toasty sweet Fest Lager. Eins, zwei, g’suffa!”

Appearance – The bottle design is everything you would want out of an Oktoberfest brew. With the dominant color of it being blue with nice touches of gold. The center piece of the bottle a nice stein of beer which is what this is about, the beer. I love the way Tröegs handles the information on the side as well with a nice little paragraph of information. Once poured you have that classic burnt amber color with alot of foamy head and a ton of lacing. Great looking brew here.

Aroma – This aroma at first reminds me of most Marzens. The malt, and toasted bread notes are heavy but I also notice a pretzel smell which is not normal for this style.

Taste: The flavor is heavy in toasted grains, almost like cereal, with a caramel finish. I also get something close to a dark brown bread, maybe with sweet butter. I like that that sweet and toasted notes are perfectly balanced.

Drinkability – The initial sip will be smooth with a little bit of a bite. This is a medium body brew with a crisp finish and a sweet sugar film left on the lips.

Overall – Tröegs has never disappointed me when it comes to their products and this is another great example. I love that this beer has all the standard notes you would expect from a Mazen, but I also find that there are some new flavors being presented. I would highly recommend this one.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader. This is a great Star Wars game in the catalog of other great Star Wars games and it is commonly over looked. If you wanna feel like you are in control of a legit X Wing in a really fun game then grab a 6 pack and enjoy yourself.

Background – From Spoetzl Brewery themselves “Just like the world’s largest beer festival, our little brewrey has Bavarian roots and a long tradition of honoring tradition. Which is why we made this märzen-style with German-grown Hallertau tradition. If that doesn’t make you polka dance for joy, we don’t know what will..”

Appearance – The bottle has a predominantly orange palate that really stands out. There are nice accents of blue and white but it would be easy to mistake this for a pumpkin beer from afar. Once poured you have the burnt amber color with a heavy foamy head and alot of lacing, very traditionally looking Marzen here.

Aroma – This beer holds up the standard expectation of a Marzen. You have heavy notes of malt and biscuits. Both cold and warm I could detect alot from Shiner.

Taste: Just like the aroma the taste here is all what you would expect. A healthy dose of malt with a slight caramel finish. As the beer warms you will get some toasted notes and a minimal amount of hops. I like what they are doing with this one, its a solid beer.

Drinkability – The initial sip will be smooth with minimal carbonation and you will notice the sweetness of the malts. But as it sits you will have a dry almost stale aftertaste which is the biggest negative I could detect from this one.

Overall – The Shiner Märzen-Style Oktoberfest may not deviate too much from a standard Marzen, which is fine with me. Its the finish of the beer that stops it from being better. I would recommend trying it, especially if this is an introduction to Marzens.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Power Move Wrestling. Listen I know there are plenty of better wrestling game’s out there but this is an interesting choice that doesn’t do much wrong, yet its not perfect either. These two deserve each other.

Background – From Hofbräu brewery themselves “The waitress is carrying ten liters and she still has a smile on her face. Celebrating, singing, swaying – Prost! The Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest is known for its lively atmosphere. Here is where the world comes to celebrate. Down Under in Lederhosen. Of course, the most popular folk festival in the world wouldn’t be complete without a very special beer: Hofbräu Oktoberfest beer is a full-bodied, bottom-fermented specialty beer. With its fine hoppy aroma, it’s perfect alongside a classic Oktoberfest roasted chicken. The Oktoberfest originated in 1810 in Munich, Germany, as a wedding celebration for the Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. This product was created especially for this event and is brewed usually for the Oktoberfest, now the largest beer festival in the world. Hofbräu München (HB) is one of a selected group of breweries granted the privileges of supplying the Oktoberfest with their products. Using the highest quality ingredients, HB’s Oktoberfest Specialty has its own distinctive and unique taste.”

Appearance – The bottle has the traditional Hofbräu style with a slight variation on the color to celebrate Oktoberfest. It looks good but it doesn’t stand out much in the crowd. Once poured you get the crystal clear golden straw color that you expect from festbiers with a heavy foamy head that leaves alot of lacing.

Aroma – Unfortunately most festbiers share the similar trait of a lack of aroma. Once this bad boy warms you will notice some lemon and grass with a hint of biscuit. But even after 1-2 I can barley notice much from the bottle or the pour.

Taste: The flavors are similar to the aroma, not very strong but there are hints of the lemon and grass. The finish is the biscuit flavor but not a great one.

Drinkability – For 6.3% this is on the stronger side of Oktoberfest beers and yet it goes down super smooth. There is alot of carbonation with a dry and crisp finish.

Overall –  I this is a solid option for a warm night and if you are not a fan of the dark Marzens then this isn’t bad to try out.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Mario Party 8. This is the type of beer you should be drinking with a group and while Mario Party 8 may not be the best of the bunch it is still a fun time. So grab a 6 pack and boot up the old Wii.

Background – From Funk Brewing Company themselves “This traditional lager that is brewed all German malt and hops. A slight toasted hazelnut flavor with a touch of caramel sweetness and a dry biscuity finish. This is the lager of your dreams. Funktoberfest is a Octoberfest style beer with a twist. Octoberfest is a traditional lager that is brewed at the end of spring and stored the whole summer until that autumn where is brought out to be consumed along with a traditional celebration. Funktoberfest is slightly different as it is brewed as an ale with no lagering period, cause hell, everyday your alive and breathing should be a celebration and who wants to wait to drink an awesome beer anyways. It has a medium level of bitterness with a wonderful malt complexity and a slight toasty/nutty flavor with a touch of sweetness and a dry finish.”

Appearance: Sometimes the classics are a classic for a reason. These tall boy cans stand out with their bright blue and white traditional checker design. Interesting choice on the oversized mustache, admittedly that’s not something I see very often. Once poured you get a very murky burnt amber color with a small head and a decent amount of lacing.

Aroma: The aroma throws me because it comes off almost more floral and hoppy versus malty and sweet. The notes I do get are faint and nothing that will grab you.

Taste: The taste is interesting because there is alot of bite in each sip. There is a slight toastiness with faint hints of something nutty. The flavor profile may be too subtle for its own good and in general this one doesn’t feel like an Oktoberfest Marzen.

Drinkability: Mouthfeel is heavy carbonation but very light. The finish is crisp with a surprising amount of dryness that manages to still have a sugar film leave over. Its an odd sensation, not necessarily bad but it does not feel like a Marzen.

Overall: I respect that Funk Brewing was trying something new, but this is one I will likely pass over in the future. Still its worth a try if you are looking for a Marzen that doesn’t follow the mold.

Game Pairing: Since this is not a typical beer for the style I wanted to go with a non traditional game. WindJammers 2. It may not be deep in its gameplay but it is fun with a buddy. So grab a 4 pack and and a buddy and enjoy yourself.

Background – From The Ayinger brewery themselves “Beer in Bavaria has had an exceptionally high value since time immemorial. It is not just the proverbial “liquid bread” alone, but rather also the social “cement” of our culture, in which values such as conviviality, community, honesty, reliability and solidarity with the homeland play a major role. The deep roots in our region, continuously deepened over generations, form the nutrient base of the Ayinger Brewery. The quality of our beer, consistently awarded numerous prizes for its excellence, is consequently not just based on the select ingredients of our region and the capacities of our brewing art. Equally important is the spirit, the mindset, the very values with which we have performed our craft for over 130 years.”

Appearance – Now this is what an Oktoberfest beer bottle should look like. A great depiction of people drinking from the steins and celebrating. I always appreciate more effort going into these labels. Once poured I was shocked because you get a clear burnt golden color and not the amber that you would expect from a Marzen

Aroma – This is one of the most robust aromas I have experienced when drinking any Marzen. It is filled to the brim with malts and caramel with heavy notes of sugar bread. I love this aroma and it may be my favorite one so far.

Taste: The taste follows the aroma. You have huge malt and caramel notes with an overall sweetness. Not as balanced as other Marzens but I found that I enjoyed it, maybe I am getting tired of any bitterness.

Drinkability – This is a silky smooth brew with barley any bite. The beer itself is medium bodied and does not leave too much of a sugar laced film in your mouth. After one bottle it is surprising that it sits kind of heavy, but still its a hell of an experience.

Overall –  I really enjoyed this brew. The aroma and flavor are both excellent and this one goes down smooth as hell. It is a must try if you like Marzens.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Ogre Battle The March of the Black Queen on the SNES. This is an overlooked real time tactical role playing game. If you like this genre then grab a six back of beer and prepare for an epic quest.

Background – From The Devil’s Backbone brewing themselves “Inspired by modern German Oktoberfest bier, O’Fest will make you want to hoist a stein at your local bier hall and say “Prost!” We hear that means “cheers” in German. It’s medium-bodied, golden in color, and tastes smooth, malty & bready thanks to the contemporary blend of malts and hops. You’ll love it whether it’s October or Oktober”

Appearance – Now this is what an Oktoberfest beer bottle should look like. A great depiction of people drinking from the steins and celebrating. I always appreciate more effort going into these labels. Once poured I was shocked because you get a clear burnt golden color and not the amber that you would expect from a Marzen

Aroma – The aroma is bright and crisp, like a fresh wake up with notes of malt and apple. While it may not be heavy in the aroma the notes that you do get are all pleasant. 

Taste: The taste is crisp with notes of malts and bread but it is very light. It almost surprises me how much it doesnt feel like a marzen. This reminds me of the festbier style lager, but either way it tastes good.

Drinkability – The O’fest is an extremely easy beer to drink with a dry finish. It goes down smooth and at 5.9% it may be a bit too smooth. I love brews like this that are perfect for a warmer September day.

Overall –  I like what this beer is going for, even at 5.9% this feels lighter than most of the Oktoberfest beers I have tried so far. If it is available near you then I suggest grabbing a 6 pack. 

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Lego Jurassic World. Something about this beer made we want to go outside, and hell why not be outside with some dinosaurs. The lego games never disappoint and with this beer you will be able to enjoy yourself that much more.

Background – From Flying Fish themselves “We present this German style lager in celebration of the season. To be enjoyed with the fest fare and especially when paired with lederhosen. ”

Appearance – Standing out from most Oktoberfest beer this bottle sports predominantly red with the traditional blue and white checker style. Flying Fish even includes their fish logo with a nice little German style hat. Once poured you will notice a light brown amberish clear brew with little to no lacing and a tannish head.

Aroma – The aroma through me off at first because I had heavy notes of stale bread. As the beer warmed I noticed hints of caramel and toasted malts. It takes a minute to grow on you and once it does its quite nice.

Taste – The taste is just like the aroma where it starts one way and finishes in a different direction. The initial pop of sweetness takes you for a surprise but as the beer settles and warms you get that toast malt and bread flavor. There is also a noticeable amount of spice with this one so it doesn’t quite feel like a traditional Marzen.

Drinkability – The Oktoberfish has a medium to light body with a high amount of carbonation. The finish is mostly dry with hints of sweetness left on your lips.

Overall – The beer is nice because it maintains an overall subtle balance, however the spice makes it feel less like a Marzen than I am use to. It is still good and perfect for any fall day.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick bioshock Infinite. A solid game but similar to this beer it didn’t feel like a typical bioshock game. So pair these two outcasts and enjoy yourself.

Background – From Weihenstephaner themselves “Deep gold in color, this beer is luminous in the glass. From the very first sip, the full-bodied flavor is immediately perceptible – a balanced harmony of hop and malt aromas. The dense foam and the rich maltiness of this beer are especially impressive in a Maßkrug (liter mug).Festbier is delicious with simple dishes, roasted chicken and flavorful Alpine cheese.”

Appearance – I could only manage to find cans of this one. In an off tan can with the green it doesnt read as a festbier. I like all the gold accents and logos. The bold lettering that claims it is from the world’s oldest brewery is a nice touch as well. Once poured it is a clear golden color with a foamy head that leaves plenty of lacing.

Aroma – Very light in the aroma with notes of apple and lemon. The malts are there but are not overpowering.

Taste – The taste is very light. I notice a mild balance of malts, apples and then a hoppy and tart finish. The sweetness is evenly balanced with a tart finish, which I presume is from the hops.

Drinkability – This is even lighter than most Marzens. With a very light mouthfeel this beer finishes dry and with a bit of tartness. Its easy to drink but I don’t love the mouth feel. This could easily be a full day drinker.

Overall – Another good beer from the Germans. This is a beer that is lighter than a Marzen and a perfect bridge beer for light lager drinkers. I imagine the best place to have this is during a festival/party while chomping on pretzels. I would highly suggest it.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Rampage. This beer is meant to be consumed while with others and playing into the chaotic and over the top fun of Rampage you are sure to have a great time. You will easily go through many of these brews and quarters, but you will have a great time.

Be sure to check out all of the other Oktoberfest Beer reviews here.

Background – From Spaten themselves “Our Spaten Oktoberfest beer is brewed in spring for the world’s largest folk festival. Countless Oktoberfest visitors are enthusiastic about this beer every year. Because every sip with its unmistakably tasty taste is as special as the Wiesn itself.”

Appearance – The bottle design is simple with a nice color scheme, with blue and silver being the dominant tones. The green bottle does help it stand out and the font used looks great. When you pour this out you will get a very dark amber with a robust foamy head that leaves alot of lacing.

Aroma – Typical of most Marzens this boasts alot of toasted malts, with hints of caramel and some kind of hop that I can’t really define. It smells like tradition.

Taste – The taste is really well done. The malts are heavy upfront but not overpowering. Then you get the caramel sweetness with a touch of hops. I cannot recommend this enough, allow this one to warm up a bit while drinking. The notes really open up as it reaches room temperature.

Drinkability – This is beer drinks like you expect an Oktoberfest to drink. Smooth with a medium mouth feel, a slight hop and burn after the initial sip. Then you get a sugar film on your lips. Alot to enjoy with this one.

Overall – To the surprise of no one the Germans do Oktoberfest beers the best. This is subtle in all the right ways but delivers with the flavors you would want.

Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to pick Gauntlet from the arcade. I wanted to go to a traditional game to match this legendary brew. While Gauntlet may not blow people away today it is undeniable that it is a solid experience that spawned an entire genre.

Be sure to check out all of the other Oktoberfest Beer reviews here.