It's nearly that time of year, time for Oktoberfest in Germany and all the wonderful classic lagers that come with it. While the traditional festival won't be happening September 19 to October 4th as it should be this year, our northwest brewers like Rosenstadt Brewery are still putting out some great local beers to celebrate at home or outdoors with.

Rosenstadt Brewery began packaging during the pandemic, opting for classic 12oz bottles and 6-packs instead of cans. Starting off with their Helles Lager, Rosenstadt recently added Kolsch as a year-round and has quickly followed that up with their seasonal Festbier.

Fest biers are often misunderstood and confused with Oktoberfest-style lagers, but each one has regional differences.

"Traditionally the beer served at Oktoberfest was Märzen, and at the Wies’n could only be brewed within in the city limits of Munich: Augustiner, Hacker, Hofbrau, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten – that’s it," says Rosenstadt co-owner Nick Greiner.

Rosenstadt Festbier follows the authentic versions which are lighter then their amber malty cousins Marzen.

"Many breweries outside of Munich make a beer for the harvest, and over time the beer has become a bit paler, perhaps a touch more bitter. More digestible…," says Greiner.

Rosenstadt Festbier features layers of malts, with notes of everything from fresh bread and toast to almonds, dried fruit, and golden raisins. Noble hops provide a floral, spicy counterpoint.

Abbreviated Descriptions:

• Layered malt flavors of bread, almonds, and dried fruit with spicy, floral hopping.
• Layered malt flavors of bread, almonds, and dried fruit are accented by spicy, floral hopping.

Festbier
14 Plato 6.2% ABV, 28 IBU
Available formats: 12oz bottles,
six packs, cases of 24 bottles.