With Oktoberfest running September 19 to October 4 this year, Süddeutsche Zeitung published its annual breakdown of which of the six approved Munich breweries pours in which of the 35 tents. Prices in the big tents land between EUR14.90 and EUR15.90 per liter. If you want to know what a genuine Wiesn beer tastes like without the flight to Munich, our Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen review and our roundup of the best German beers are the closest you’ll get at home.
Oktoberfest itself dates back to 1810, when Munich threw a public party to celebrate a royal wedding and liked it enough to make it an annual event. Only six breweries are legally allowed to pour inside the festival grounds under the city’s own rules: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Spaten. Every other Oktoberfest beer sold anywhere else in the world, including most of what’s labeled “Oktoberfest” on U.S. shelves, is a licensed or inspired version rather than the real thing.
The tent system is part of what makes Wiesn (the festival’s local nickname, after the Theresienwiese meadow it’s held on) so specific. Each of the 35 tents is run by a different landlord and contracts with one of the six breweries, so the beer, the food menu and even the band lineup change depending on which tent you walk into. Regulars pick a tent based on atmosphere as much as the beer itself; the bigger tents like Hofbrau and Schottenhamel can seat several thousand people and get loud fast, while smaller tents lean quieter and more traditional.
The beer itself has changed more than most people realize. What Munich actually serves at Oktoberfest today is a pale, more sessionable Festbier rather than the amber Marzen most Americans picture, a shift the breweries made gradually and the style guidelines only formalized around 2015. We go deeper on exactly what separates the two styles, and why it happened, in our own explainer on Marzen versus Festbier.
If a trip to Munich isn’t happening this year, the closest approximation is buying the actual imported beer rather than a domestic “Oktoberfest” seasonal. Prices on U.S. shelves for German imports are usually a few dollars more per six-pack than a domestic seasonal, but the flavor gap is real: German Marzen and Festbier both lean on Munich malt for a soft, bready sweetness that most American versions only half-copy.
For anyone actually planning a trip, the practical advice locals give every year still holds: reserve a tent table months in advance if you want a guaranteed seat during peak weekends, arrive early on weekdays if you’re walking in without a reservation, and expect the first weekend and the closing days to be the most crowded and expensive. Pacing matters too, since a full liter (called a Mass) is roughly the equivalent of three standard American beers, and tent service tends to keep them coming as long as you’re still drinking.
Beer prices at Oktoberfest itself have climbed steadily for years too, and this year’s EUR14.90 to EUR15.90 per-liter range at the big tents is roughly in line with recent inflation-adjusted increases rather than a sudden jump, though it still surprises first-time visitors expecting prices closer to a typical German beer garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are only six breweries allowed to pour at Oktoberfest?
It’s a rule set by the city of Munich, tied to breweries that are both located within city limits and brew under the Reinheitsgebot purity law. Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Spaten are the only six that qualify.
What’s the difference between the beer tents at Wiesn?
Each tent is operated by an independent landlord under contract with one of the six breweries, so the beer is fixed by tent but the food, music and vibe vary a lot. Some tents are formal sit-down affairs; others are standing-room and rowdier.
When exactly does Oktoberfest 2026 run?
This year’s festival runs September 19 through October 4, the traditional 16-to-18-day window that always wraps up on the first Sunday in October (or German Unity Day, whichever is later).
Can I get real Oktoberfest beer without going to Munich?
Yes, several of the six official breweries export Oktoberfest-labeled beer, including Paulaner. Look for an import rather than a domestic “Oktoberfest” seasonal if you want the closest match to what’s actually poured in the tents.
Is Oktoberfest beer stronger than regular beer?
Not dramatically. Festbier and Marzen both typically run 5.5-6.5% ABV, a bit above an average lager but well short of a specialty strong beer, since the style is built for drinking multiple liters over a long session rather than a single strong pour.
What should I eat with an Oktoberfest beer?
Classic pairings include roast chicken, pretzels, sausages and Bavarian cheeses; the malt sweetness in both Marzen and Festbier holds up well against salty, savory festival food, which is part of why the beer style and the tent menus evolved together.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung →
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