Technically speaking, no “Oktoberfest” beer brewed in the U.S. is actually Oktoberfest. According to European Union regulations, only six German breweries—all within Munich, the same ones that are allowed to serve beer at the annual Oktoberfest celebration—are allowed to make beer that carries the label. (That’s obviously never stopped U.S. brewers from calling their beers Oktoberfest, though.) According to the Oxford Companion to Beer, the Prince of Bavaria once tried to bring beer from a brewery he owned to the original Oktoberfest, and even he was denied access.
After I determined my top four I gave up on ranking the beers and just divided them into two categories: ones I’d buy again, and ones I wouldn’t. They’re listed below, along with very brief notes on each. For a more detailed description of three out of my top four beers, take a look at my colleague Philip Montoro’s Oktoberfest post from a couple years ago (he didn’t try Schlafly, which wasn’t yet available in Chicago).
Half Acre Lager Town: One of the hoppier Oktoberfests we tried; it’s floral and toasty with plenty of sweetness balanced by a bitter finish.
Not recommended:
O’so O-toberfest: This was one of the few beers that didn’t seem to fit the marzen style—it was funky and sour and tasted sort of like a cider.
