Weihenstephaner Festbier

Festbier is the pale, round lager brewed for Oktoberfest-season drinking, and this six-pack of Weihenstephaner Festbier sits squarely in that style. No ABV or IBU is listed for this product, so treat the following as what the style typically delivers. Expect a clear golden color, a bread-crust and light honey malt core, and a bitterness that stays low and supportive, usually somewhere in the low 20s IBU. Strength in this style generally runs around 5.5 to 6 percent ABV, which is a bit above a standard helles but is hidden by a clean, dry finish. Noble hop character, when present, tends toward faint herbal and floral notes rather than anything citrusy or resinous. That balance makes it a flexible food beer. The malt sweetness handles salt and smoke well, so bratwurst, weisswurst with sweet mustard, roast chicken, pretzels and obatzda are the obvious matches, along with pork schnitzel and potato salad. The gentle carbonation and low bitterness also keep it from fighting spicier dishes such as mild curries or paprika-heavy goulash, and it works with plain roasted vegetables and aged alpine cheeses like Gruyère. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 44 to 48°F (6 to 9°C). Straight from a very cold refrigerator the malt flattens out, so let the bottles sit out for five to ten minutes. The traditional vessel is the Maß, a one-liter glass mug, but a half-liter stein or a tall, slightly tapered pilsner or helles glass works at home. Pour at an angle and finish upright to build a firm white head, which carries the bready aroma. A six-pack suits a shared table well, since the style is built to be drunk in several rounds over a long meal rather than sipped alone.