Oktoberfest - Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Limited Location Availability

Limited Location Availability

Oktoberfest

A taste of Germany, brewed in California in collaboration with Bamberg’s Mahrs Braü, a family brewery 356 years in the making.

Availability

Draft
4-pack 16oz Cans

Behind the Beer

A Taste of Germany, Brewed in California

Mahrs Bräu has been one of Firestone Walker’s closest international friends for more than a decade, returning to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival more than any other brewery from abroad. After years of talking about brewing a beer together, we finally made it happen with this Oktoberfest Festbier.

Inspired by the modern Festbiers poured in the tents of Munich, this golden lager is brewed with Bamberger Pilsen malt, the same malt Mahrs Bräu uses in their own lagers. A touch of specialty malt adds depth, while German Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops bring a balanced, classic hop character. A long, cold lager fermentation keeps the beer crisp, clean, and remarkably drinkable, even at a slightly elevated 6.0% ABV.

It’s a friendship years in the making, brewed with one of Germany’s most storied family-owned breweries and rooted in 356 years of Bavarian brewing tradition. Worth the wait.

Pair it with a pretzel, fried chicken sandwich, or go full Bavarian with roasted pork knuckle and bratwurst with sauerkraut.

Hops

  • Hallertau Tradition

    Hallertau Tradition

    A classic German noble hop known for its good yields which remain relatively stable even in difficult growing years.

    Aroma
    Floral, Herbal, Spicy
    Region
    Germany
  • Hersbrucker

    Hersbrucker

    A traditional German aroma hop prized for its delicate noble character.

    Aroma
    Floral, Herbal, Spicy
    Region
    Germany

Malts

Brewed with the same specialty malts Mahrs Braü uses in their own lagers: Bamberger Pilsen, Bamberger Munich, Steinbach Keramelmalz Hell, Weyermann Acidulated.

Yeast

Brewerd using specialty German Lager yeast for a long, cold lager fermentation to ensure precision and drinkability. 

The Art of the Process

Milling starts the beer making process by splitting open grain, mostly barley, making it ready for mashing. We use a wet mill, which is more efficient and gentler on the malt. During mashing, the split malt combines with hot water to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. This conversion is made possible by the enzymes that are in the malted grains.The mash then moves to the lautertun, where the sugary liquid (wort) is separated from the malt, the spent grain is then sent to local ranchers for cattle feed.

The kettle is where the wort is boiled using steam, ensuring sanitation and eliminating potential off-flavors. This stage is also when hops are first added, contributing bitterness and aroma to the beer. Next, the wort moves to the whirlpool, where additional hops can be added, and solids like proteins and hop particles are separated. From there, the wort is cooled, oxygenated, and transferred to the fermenter, where yeast is introduced to begin fermentation.

Fermentation is where yeast converts sugars into alcohol and CO2, the most crucial step in creating beer. This stage is closely monitored, ensuring that each beer’s unique characteristics develop fully. Depending on the beer style, this step can take several days to weeks. All FW beers will use one of three yeast strains, our house ale, lager or hazy yeast.

All Firestone Walker beers go through our centrifuge to eliminate any large particulate (hops, yeast or protein). Then all the beers are carbonated on the way to the bright tank. If the beer is clear, it will also be run through the polish filter. At the end of filtration, the beer will be ready to go into package and is ready to drink.

Throughout the brewing process, our expert lab staff plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of our beers. They conduct extensive testing on every measurable aspect, from specific gravity and pH levels to bitterness and aroma compounds. This meticulous approach includes sensory evaluations, allowing us to assess the taste and overall flavor profile of each batch. By combining scientific analysis with expert tasting, we maintain our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and consistency in every beer we produce.

Once the beer reaches its final stage, we package it in bottles, cans, or kegs, carefully preserving its quality and freshness. Our commitment to sustainability shines through this process, as we use recycled materials and energy-efficient practices to minimize environmental impact. We also invest in state-of-the-art equipment to reduce waste and enhance packaging efficiency, reflecting our dedication to brewing exceptional beer while caring for the environment.

Related Beers

You May Like

Stories

From the Blog