Top 5 Munich Oktoberfest Beers

Oktoberfest is definitely my favorite time of the year. There's just something about it that gets me excited every fall. Maybe it's my German heritage, or the cheery atmosphere. It could be the polka music, or even the dirndls and lederhosen. But when it's all said and done, I know the real reason that everyone loves Oktoberfest: great beer.

There's no doubt about it, Oktoberfest has some great brews. The hard part is choosing which beer to have-there are so many good Oktoberfest beers that even the most devoted drinker can't try them all! So, to help you choose, I've picked the best varieties of "liquid gold." These are the types of beer you absolutely must try this year.

1. Augestiner Helles

Usually referred to as simply "Augestiner," this light lager beer is served in the Augustiner-Festhalle and Fischer-Vroni tents at Munich's Oktoberfest. This brew is best for those who find the Augustiner Edelstoff a bit too strong. The Augestiner Helles spends a lot longer in the secondary fermentation phase than other varieties of Augestiner beer. It is really hard to find the real AugustinerHelles anywhere other than Bavaria. It isn't very abundant in other regions of Germany, and impossible to find in the rest of Europe or the United States. Don't bother with the imported imitation versions.

2. Spaten-Franziskaner Oktoberfestbier

If you only drink one beer at Oktoberfest (why would you do that?!) then make it the Oktoberfestbier Spaten. Spaten, the original brewery of Munich, was the first brewery to develop a special Oktoberfestbier, brewed exclusively for Oktoberfest. The Spaten brew was originally modeled after the amber brews from Vienna, which were (and still are) much maltier than the standard lager. The Spaten Oktoberfestbier is recognizable by the malt spade on the label ("Spaten" means "spade" in English).

3. Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen

This one is for the "purists." The Haker Oktoberfest Märzen is 100% natural and uses only original Oktoberfest ingredients. Better yet, this Oktoberfest beer is brewed with natural spring water for a pure, bittersweet taste. I like to have this malty beer while eating Wiener-Schnitzel and other types of Bavarian food. It's creamy and tastes a bit of caramel going down, but has a slightly bitter aftertaste.

4. Hofbräu Märzen

Prepared exclusively for the Munich Oktoberfest, Hofbräu has been a favorite among Americans, Canadians and Australians for years, probably because it blows their imitation brews out of the water. In 2008, Hofbräu Munchenwon the gold medal in the World Beer Championships, and with good reason-the lighter brew is loved even by those who usually avoid beer. I would avoid this one if you aren't a "beer person," because it is definitely an acquired taste. However, if you consider yourself a true beer connoisseur, you will love the Hofbräu Märzen

5. Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse

Generally, I'm not a fan of wheat beers. But I'll make an exception for the Franziskaner White Beer. It is easily the most carbonated beer at Oktoberfest. With a dry finish and light body, just the sight of this beer is refreshing, and slugging down a liter is even better! I really like the scent of this beer as well-citrusy with undertones of banana.

If you're going to Munich for Oktoberfest this year, be sure to stop by the beer tents and try one of the brews listed above. If you're not going to Munich, shame on you!