Oktoberfest
2026 Beer Notes
All featured beer has been faithfully crafted to the German tradition by members of the Portland Brewers Collective.
01
Märzen
——
ABV: 5.9%
The original beer served at Munich’s Oktoberfest from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s. An amber, German lager with a clean, rich, toasty, bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a relatively dry finish. The overall malt impression is soft, elegant, and complex, with a rich malty aftertaste.
Brewed by: Jordan Folks
› Two-time National Gold Medalist, National Homebrew Competition
› 2022 Oregon State Homebrewer of the Year
› Co-host of the Brülosophy podcast
02
Helles
——
ABV: 5.3%
A gold-colored German lager with a smooth, malty flavor and a soft, dry finish. Subtle spicy, floral, or herbal hops and restrained bitterness help keep the balance malty but not sweet.
Brewed by: Scott Nieradka
› National Homebrew Competition Gold Medalist
› National BJCP Judge
03
Pilsner
——
ABV: 5.0%
A pale, dry, bitter German lager featuring a prominent hop aroma. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, showing a brilliant gold color with excellent head retention.
Brewed by: Ian Campbell
› Retired Professional Brewer, Baerlic Brewing
› 2024 Oregon State Homebrewer of the Year
04
Dortmunder
——
ABV: 5.6%
A gold-colored German lager with a balanced, bready malt flavor and a crisp, mineral-driven finish. Subtle floral hops and a firm, clean bitterness help keep the balance evenly matched between rich sweetness and refreshing dryness.
Brewed by: Michele Wonder
› Silver medal, Lager Days 2025
› Cofounder, Women’s Craft Fermentation Alliance
› Certified Cicerone and BJCP judge
› Professional draft technician, Perfect Pour
05
Schwarzbier
——
ABV: 5.6%
A dark German lager with a smooth, roasty malt flavor and a clean, dry finish. Subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate or coffee and a moderate, crisp bitterness help keep the balance lightly roasted but never burnt.
Brewed by: Joe Williams
› Really cool person, too cool to enter competitions
› Home brewer of over 10 years
06
Dunkel
——
ABV: 4.8%
A traditional malty brown lager from Bavaria. Deeply toasted, bready malt flavors without any roasty or burnt flavors. Smooth and rich, with a restrained bitterness and a relatively dry finish that allows for drinking in quantity. This recipe won gold at 2024 Lager Days!
Brewed by: Russell Berger
› 2019 Oregon State Homebrewer of the Year (OSHBOTY)
› Five time medalist, National Homebrew Competition
› 2026 Gold medalist (German Pils, Smoked Helles), National Homebrew Competition
› Currently in first place for 2026 OSHBOTY
07
Dunkles Bock
——
ABV: 7.1%
Dark, strong, malty brown lager.
Brewed by: Jeff Ong
› 2026 Best of Show, Midwinter Madness
› 2026 Best of Show, Oregon Homebrew Festival
› Known for using unique ingredients grown from his garden
08
Rauchbier
——
ABV: 6.8%
A smoked German lager with a rich, toasty malt flavor and a clean, smoky finish. These beers can taste intensely smoky on the first sip, but become increasingly drinkable with each subsequent gulp.
Brewed by: Malcolm Goldman
› 2nd generation Rauchbier brewer
› Started homebrewing after returning from an exchange year in Germany
09
Weissbier
——
ABV: 5.5%
A pale, refreshing, lightly-hopped German wheat beer with high carbonation, dry finish, fluffy mouthfeel, and a distinctive banana-and-clove weizen yeast fermentation profile.
Brewed by: Tarn Allen & Mark Beck
› Collaboration between two of PBC’s most accomplished brewers
› Tarn Allen: BJCP judge, Top 10 2026 OSHBOTY
› Mark Beck: BJCP judge, Top 10 2026 OSHBOTY
10
Dunkels
Weissbier
——
ABV: 5.4%
Dunkelweisse is a dark wheat beer that combines the rich, toasty flavors of a dunkel with the soft, fruity character of a traditional hefeweizen. Expect notes of banana, clove, caramel, and toasted bread, with a smooth, creamy body and surprisingly refreshing finish.
Brewed by: Kyle Waller
› Former JC Penny model
11
Weizenbock
——
ABV: 8.0%
Like the weissbier, but stronger!
Brewed by: Cory Meisch
› BJCP Certified Judges
› Lager Days 2023 Best of Show
12
Berliner Weisse
——
ABV: 3.2%
A low ABV sour German wheat ale with a sharp, lactic tartness and a highly effervescent, crisp finish. Subtle doughy wheat flavors and a near-absence of hop bitterness help keep the balance refreshingly sour but cleanly thirst-quenching.
Try it with some of Cody’s homemade syrups! This beer is traditionally served with woodruff (green) or raspberry syrup (red) to add some fruit flavor and sweetness to balance out the beer’s natural acidity.
Brewed by: Cody Gabbard
› BJCP judge
› Published beer author, Zymurgy Magazine
13
Festbier
Vom Fass
——
ABV: 5.4%
The “tent” beer served at Munich’s Oktoberfest over the last few decades. A smooth, clean, pale German lager with a moderately strong malty flavor and a light hop character. Deftly balances strength and drinkability, with a palate impression and finish that encourages drinking.
Served directly from the “Fass”, AKA the traditional barrel that is ceremoniously tapped to kick off Munich Oktoberfest.
Brewed by: Jordan Folks
› Two-time National Gold Medalist, National Homebrew Competition
› 2022 Oregon State Homebrewer of the Year
› Co-host of the Brülosophy podcast
14
Frozen
Shelonade
——
ABV: 0%
Sweet and sour, just like your mom. Enjoy on its own for a non-alcoholic option or combine with a light, crisp beer (lager, pilsner, or wheat beer/weisebier) to make a radler.
15
Pineapple
Dragonfruit
Sparkling
Wasser (H20)
——
ABV: 0%
This craft soda water is for your non-alcoholic pleasure!
These beer notes are created by Chrystal and hosted on her real estate business website—the newsletter signup below is for her business and is NOT a beer newsletter (sorry, the form is coded to be on every page of the website and I don’t know how to take it off!). But you should totally sign up if you want to hear about cool local events and market updates ever now and then!