What's a German beer that tastes like the popular American beers?

Question

I'm going to Oktoberfest this weekend and will be unfamiliar with most of the beers being served. The German beers being offered are Sapten Ur Märzen, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest, Hofbräu Oktoberfest and Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier. I'm a beer wuss (i.e. I drink Bud Light) and when it comes to branching out I'd rather take baby steps. Which of these should I choose, or none?

Answer 1

If I were you I'd try the Paulander Hefe-Weissbier. This is going to be a wheat beer that will be more sweet and light than the Oktoberfest beers that they are offering. I know its hard to branch out but you really should try one of the Oktoberfest beers too. They are going to be a stronger more pungent brew that will give you a better appreciation of what real beer is like (cuz bud light is mostly water). Plus you'll look more sophisticated drinking a more authentic beer and with the illumination you receive from the beverage you will be able to converse intelligently with others about what good beer actually is.

Answer 2

Hey, longtime veteran of Munich's fabulous Oktoberfest here. (You can tell because my avatar is wearing lederhosen!)

At Oktoberfest you'll find NOTHING resembling American macrobrews like Budweiser. The festbier is a special style called Märzen (mair-tzen), meaning it was brewed in March and stored, or lagered, until the beginning of the Oktoberfest. This is a tradition that predates refrigeration, but the Festbier is now stored in coolers instead of underground, as was practice in the 19th century.

The Festbiers are all mild, less than 5% alcohol. However they're served in ONE LITER mugs, so don't go too crazy and chugalug, or your festing will be over before the sun sets and you'll miss all the best partying.

The most golden of the Festbiers is the Augustiner. It is also slightly stronger than the rest, iirc. It is more bitter than some others.

I enjoy the Hacker-Pschorr festbier best, followed by Paulaner. Both are wonderful, slghtly amber colored, semi-sweet and malty. Check out the Himmel der Bayern (Heaven in Bavaria) tent serving Hacker. Great times.

If you like really sweet beers, try the Löwenbräu (lurve-en-broy) or Spaten tents.

If you're travelling with Americans or non-Germans, you'll likely be tempted into the Hofbrauhaus tent. Avoid the temptation of mixing with other English speakers. (Plus the beer is horrible.) Get to know the REAL Bavarians. Many speak English and all speak the language of good beer and singing.

Hoopo's Oktoberfest bier rankings
1. Hacker-Pschorr
2. Paulaner
3. Augustiner
4. Spaten
5. Lowenbrau
6. Hofbrau

Prosit!

Answer 3

Light German Beer

Answer 4

None of those are even close to Bud Light. You should really drink some German beer if you're bothering to go to Oktoberfest. I would recommend any of the first three. I have a feeling you would dislike the Weissbier.

Answer 5

Definitely prepare for room temperature beer. I wouldn't quite call it warm but as if its been sitting out of the fridge for a few hours. It's just a preference thing, give it a try. Germany specializes in a lot of lighter beers so you're in luck! I was born and raised and now live in the states. My top two interesting beer drinks you should try is a Radler (beer and lemonade or lemon soda) and Cola Weizen which is a wheat beer mixed with coke. You can order either at most any bar and they will add the appropriate beer for you. In general I would ask for a wheat beer.

Answer 6

None of those are like Bud Light. I really like Bitburger, however. Golden color, clean finish. Like a domestic beer pumped up by quality ingredients. It would be an easy transition and still be authentic (to Germany, not Oktoberfest). It's a pilsner, specifically.

I think to order it you say "bitte ein bit" or "I would like a bit(burger)." It's written on the neck of the bottle, so have one and then you'll know for sure.

Answer 7

just a guess, but I believe the Hefe-Weissbier is a wheat beer. It will be "lightest", but will appear cloudy most likely.

Bud/Coors/Millers are pilsners. Just ask the server for a pilsner and that will be the closest.

Answer 8

Any Hefe-Weissbier is good by me. But I like unfiltered beers and stouts. Honestly, if you're going, just try them all out. It's not going to kill you if you don't like something.

Answer 9

After trying the German beers Bud Light will taste like carbonated water to you. haha, Have fun.

Answer 10

Go to ratebeer.com Those beers should all have a profile there and will give you flavour cues as well as a section that says "if you like this beer you shpuld also try ........"