Oktoberfest

2025 Beer Notes

All featured beer has been faithfully crafted to the German tradition by members of the Portland Brewers Collective.


01
Märzen

——

ABV: 5.8%

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,
2022 National Homebrew Competition

› 2022 Oregon State Homebrewer
Of The Year

Co-host of the Brülosophy podcast


02
Helles

——

ABV: 5.0%


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

› 2022 National Homebrew Competition Gold Medalist

› National BJCP Judge


03
Pilsner

——

ABV: 4.7%


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

› Portland Brewers Collective

› Retired Professional Brewer, Baerlic Brewing


04
Leichtbier

——

ABV: 2.9%


The lightest German lager in the land, like a baby pilsner! A pale, highly-attenuated, light-bodied German lager with lower alcohol and calories than standard-strength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop flavors, the beer is still interesting to drink.

Brewed by: Cory Meisch

› BJCP Certified Judges
› Lagerdays 2023 Best of Show winner


05
Kölsch

——

ABV: 5.2%


A clean, crisp, delicately-balanced beer usually with a very subtle fruit and hop character. Subdued maltiness throughout leads into a pleasantly well-attenuated and refreshing finish. Freshness makes a huge difference with this beer, as the delicate character can fade quickly with age. Brilliant clarity is characteristic.

Brewed by: Joe Williams

› Really cool person


06
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: Jon Hall & Parker Hall

› Portland’s premiere brewing brother duo


07
Weizenbock

——

ABV: 7.4%


Like the weissbier, but stronger and darker!

Brewed by: Russell Berger

› 2019 Oregon State Homebrewer
Of The Year

› Two Time Medalist, National
Homebrew Competition


08
Altbier

——

ABV: 6.3%


A moderately colored, well-attenuated, bitter beer with a rich maltiness balancing a strong bitterness. Light and spicy hop character complements the malt. A dry beer with a firm body and smooth palate.

Brewed by: Tarn Allen

› BJCP Certified Judges
› SheBrew Medalist
› Lagerdays 2025 Bronze


09
Dunkel

——

ABV: 5.4%


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

› Two Time Medalist, National
Homebrew Competition


10
Dunkels Bock

——

ABV: 7%


Dark, sweet, malty brown lager.

Brewed by: Jeff Ong

› Experimental brewer extraordinaire, known
for his use of unique ingredients often grown
in his own garden


11
Doppelbock

——

ABV: 8.5%


A rich, strong, and malty, with a dominant flavor of toasted, bready malt, often with caramel, toffee, and dark fruit (like raisins or plums) notes. It features a malty sweetness that isn't cloying, a relatively low hop bitterness, and a full, smooth, creamy body with a slight warming sensation from its high alcohol content. .

Brewed by: Michelle Wonder

› Silver medal, Lager days 2025


12
Pineapple

Sparkling H20

——

ABV: 0%


This craft soda water is for your non-alcoholic pleasure!


13
”The Fass”

Festbier

——

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.

Brewed by: Jordan Folks

› Two-time National Gold Medalist,
2022 National Homebrew Competition

› 2022 Oregon State Homebrewer
Of The Year

Co-host of the Brülosophy podcast


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