The fresh, crisp air of late summer is finally here in Switzerland. Our hearts are racing, our brew kettles are working overtime, and our excitement is through the roof because we’re gearing up for the most anticipated beer event of the year! Absolutely, we’re talking about Oktoberfest 2026. Here at Fermento Brewery, we love traditional brewing and we put our own unique Swiss twist on it. Every year, we love getting together for the big Munich celebration to get inspired, celebrate the rich history of brewing, and, of course, taste some amazing beers.
Our brewing journey has been deeply influenced by the monumental traditions of this festival. Actually, we love Oktoberfest so much that we’ve created two of our favourite Oktoberfest-inspired beers right here at Fermento: a pilsner and a weizen. We’re big fans of classic styles, but we also like to put our own signature on them.
If you’re planning to make the trip to Munich, then get your diaries out and get your Lederhosen and Dirndls ready! The 191st Oktoberfest in Munich officially kicks off on 19 September 2026 and runs right through to 4 October 2026. The atmosphere is going to be electric, and the massive beer tents will eagerly open their doors at 9 am sharp. So, as we get ready for the amazing Octoberfest 2026 festivities, it’s really important to know exactly what’s going to be flowing from the taps. Only the traditional main breweries that brew strictly within Munich’s city limits are allowed to serve their beer at the festival.
These legendary six are Hacker-Pschorr, Staatliches Hofbräu-München, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten, Augustiner-Bräu (I recently heard that their alcohol free Helles is the best on the German market). But what exactly are they brewing? If you’re getting lost in the huge tents and endless wooden benches, which beers are you likely to come across? So, let’s take a look at the three amazing beer styles that are going to make Oktoberfest 2026 one to remember!
1. Festbier (or Wiesnbier): The Oktoberfest 2026 Golden Masterpiece
When you raise a massive, one-litre glass stein in the main tents at Oktoberfest 2026, you’re almost certainly holding a glorious Festbier. This is the modern, official style served by all six of the Munich breweries. Festbier is a golden, crisp and smooth lager that shines like liquid sunshine in your glass. But don’t let its appearance fool you! It’s surprisingly strong, usually with an ABV between 5.8% and 6.3%. It was developed to be lighter in colour and less filling than older traditional styles, so festival-goers can enjoy more of it throughout the long, joyous days of celebration.
The great thing about a Festbier at Oktoberfest 2026 is that it’s really easy to drink and you can pair it with all kinds of food. Festbier is so crisp, clean and fizzy that it’s the perfect way to clear your palate. It cuts through rich, savoury fats perfectly without ever overpowering the delicate flavours of traditional Bavarian food. If you like this golden lager, you should try the iconic Hendl (mouth-watering roasted half-chicken), the massive Schweinshaxe (crispy and tender roasted pork knuckle) or the perfectly seasoned Steckerlfisch (traditional grilled fish on a stick).
If you fancy taking a step back in time during Oktoberfest 2026, then look no further than the legendary Märzen. This is the original Oktoberfest beer, full of tradition and history! Before they invented refrigeration, they brewed this beer in March (that’s where the name “Märzen” comes from), stored it in cool caves during the summer, and then brought it out to be enjoyed at the autumn festivals. It’s a full-bodied, dark amber-coloured lager with a distinct, mesmerising sweetness and a delicious toasted, biscuit flavour.
It’s mostly been replaced by the lighter Festbier in the big main tents, but it’s still a big deal and people are still really into it at the Oide Wiesn (the historical section of the festival). .
If you haven’t had the chance to try a true Märzen at Oktoberfest 2026, then you’re in for a treat! The Märzen has a deep, toasty malt flavour and a subtle, lingering caramel sweetness that coats the palate beautifully. Because of its richer, sweeter and more robust nature, it goes well with hearty, deeply savoury dishes. It goes really well with heavily roasted, caramelised, or slightly sweet Bavarian comfort foods. When you order your amber-hued Märzen, make sure to pair it with a giant Brezen mit Obatzda (a massive, warm pretzel served with a rich, spiced cheese dip), a classic Schweinebraten (succulent roasted pork smothered in a dark beer gravy), or a hearty plate of Kassler or sausages served with steaming sauerkraut.
Lagers may be the main thing you hear about, but you can’t go to Oktoberfest 2026 without trying an authentic Weissbier (Wheat Beer). This is a traditional, unfiltered Bavarian wheat beer that’s well known for its cloudy look and its really strong, fruity and clove-like smell. You can get Weissbier in loads of places, especially the Weinzelt (Wine Tent), and there are also some great outdoor beer gardens around the festival grounds. Our own Mistral at Fermento is a loving tribute to this exact style! Treat yourself to a tall, elegant glass of Weissbier at Oktoberfest 2026 for a completely different, yet equally thrilling, culinary experience.
The rich, spicy aromas of a classic Hefeweizen go brilliantly with lighter, gently spiced or breakfast-oriented Bavarian specialties. The ultimate, absolute must-try pairing for your Weissbier is the famous Weisswurst (traditional Munich white sausage), beautifully complemented by sweet mustard. If you fancy something sweet, you can’t go wrong with Kaiserschmarrn (a delightfully fluffy, shredded caramelised pancake dusted with powdered sugar) or a savoury, rich portion of Käsespätzle (decadent Bavarian cheese noodles topped with crispy onions).
We hope this short beer guide gets you as excited as we are! So, whether you’re jetting off to Munich or planning to stay right here in Switzerland to enjoy a Fermento Golden Breeze or Mistral, this season’s all about community, amazing food and top-notch brewing skills. Let’s all drink to good times and Octoberfest 2026 – it’ll be an unforgettable one! Cheers!
Lassen Sie uns alle auf gute Zeiten und das Oktoberfest 2026 anstossen – es wird ein unvergessliches! Cheers!
