Oktoberfest Tours & Packages
search
  • Tours & Packages
    • Oktoberfest Munich Packages
    • Beer or Bust Tour
    • Stuttgart Beer Festival Packages
  • Oktoberfest Info
    • Oktoberfest Munich: A complete guide
    • Tickets & Reservations
    • Oktoberfest Dates
    • Oktoberfest 2023
  • Festival Updates
  • Contact

Blog Post

Home  /  Fun Stuff about Oktoberfest  /  The Beer Drinking Law of Oktoberfest
Beer drinking law Oktoberfest

The Beer Drinking Law of Oktoberfest

21 Aug 2015
0 Comment
Oktoberfest Tours

As with the greatest of celebration of anything in life, there are rules. The strict regulations on what is served at Oktoberfest come down from the German Brewers Federation. Beers must contain only malted barley (contains gluten), yeast, hops, and water.

Originating in 1487 and enacted as law all the way back in 1516, this ‘purity law’ (in German: Reinheitsgebot) might seem harsh at first glance but it ensured set quality standards and protected the industry. If not for Munich’s six premier breweries – Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten, Löwenbräu and Hofbräu the beer-lovers festival would not be what we know it as today!

Beer drinking law Oktoberfest

A Munich sign for the German Beer Purity Law in 1487 (Author: Evergreen68 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

For The Beer-Loving Aficionado

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the choices of beer on tap at Oktoberfest and if it’s your first time in Germany, you might be wondering where to start. Each of the six breweries differs in their conditioning and approach when it comes to making beer. Their range of Bavarian beverages hits everyone’s palette slightly different and you’re likely to lean towards some more than others.

Paulaner
This flagship beer is a full bodied, dark wheat lager appreciated for its subtlety and fruity aftertaste though it is the weakest of the beers you’ll find available.

Augustiner
The brewery’s Edelstoff is often hailed as Munich’s best beer. The secret to this pale, rich, soft and malty beer might be derived from the company’s private well 700 feet underground.

Hacker-Pschorr
Perhaps best known best for its Edehell Export, a rich, dry and slightly bitter beer, a Hacker-Pschorr beer is fermented three times longer than the standard for a bolder taste.

Spaten
Most notable for making beer history when first introduced in the Shottenhamel tent at the 1872 Oktoberfest, their amber Märzen-style Pils and Oktoberfestbier are local favourites.

Löwenbräu
Nicknamed the Wiesenbier, the famous export was the first to cross Bavarian borders and is now known the world over as an all-round crowd pleaser. Keep in mind it has a higher than average alcohol content than most so you’ll have to pace yourself.

Hofbräu
Award winning and brewed from the Einbeck recipe for nobles of the royal court, it is a light beer widely popular with international visitors.

Beer drinking law Oktoberfest

The Paulaner tent serves one of the best beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest stays true to its founding principles and retains its cultural heritage so no matter what you choose, you’ll be supporting an almost 200 year long tradition. And with more than 6 million people drinking more than 6 million litres of beer, you just know there’ll be something for everyone.

What’s Your Preference?

If it’s your first trip into the beer tents your best bet might be to sample a bit of everything before your settle for one. Not every beer tent will serve every type of beer so you’ll have to make the rounds yourself – nothing like a good old fashioned pub crawl – but the trips will be well worth it.

When you leave the table remember that tents fill up fast and you may end up waiting at the next so when you do finally manage to get to a seat, make sure you take the time to savour every last drop!

Thirsty for some of the best beer in the world? Join us in the beer tents in Bavaria!

Social Share

    Oktoberfest Tours

    Oktoberfest Packages

    Oktoberfest Munich Tours 2023 & 2024

    16 Sep 2023 - 03 Oct 2023
    Beer or Bust tour

    Beer or Bust Tour

    26 Sep 2023 - 06 Oct 2023
    Stuttgart Beer Festival Packages

    Stuttgart Beer Festival

    22 Sep 2023 - 08 Oct 2023
    Let's connect ->
    It doesn't get much better than the 2-week Oktoberfest beer festival held in Munich every year, and for the ultimate Oktoberfest packages and tours, Thirsty Swagman have got you covered. You can either join us in the beer tents for a few Steins or if you're up for a bit more adventure then come party with us on our flagship Beer or Bust tour.

    About OktoberfestTours.travel

    OktoberfestTours.travel by Thirsty Swagman takes you to the world's best beer festivals including Oktoberfest in Munich, Stuttgart Beer festival, Springfest and Starkbierfest.

    Our Oktoberfest tours have consistent 5-star reviews on TourRadar and include premium accommodation (the closest to the festival grounds) for travellers who want the best.

    Thirsty for adventure? Join us in the beer tents. Prost!

    Why Book With Us?

    If you are looking for a premium beer festival experience then you will love our tours & packages.

    We include only the best available accommodation and we don't have boring itineraries that take up your free time.

    And our world-famous "No Idiot Rules" make for a safe, enjoyable experience for all our guest

    Copyright © 2019 All Right Reserved, Thirsty Swagman Pty Ltd
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions