Oktoberfest Beer Guide: The Six Breweries & What to Order

Beer isn’t just served at Oktoberfest — it’s the whole point. But there’s more to it than ordering a giant stein and shouting “Prost!” (though that’s most of it). Here’s what you’re actually drinking, who brews it, how strong it is, and how to order like you’ve done this before.

Only six breweries — and that’s the law

By strict tradition and Munich city rules, only beer brewed within the Munich city limits by the six historic breweries may be served at Oktoberfest. These are:

• Augustiner — the oldest, a local favorite, and the only one still serving from wooden barrels at the festival.
• Hacker-Pschorr — “Heaven of the Bavarians,” smooth and classic.
• Hofbräu — the state-owned brewery, behind the famous Hofbräuhaus.
• Löwenbräu — the “lion’s brew,” with the roaring lion mascot.
• Paulaner — one of the best-known Munich names worldwide.
• Spaten — historic, and the beer tapped at the opening ceremony.

All six brew to the Reinheitsgebot, the centuries-old German “beer purity law,” using only water, malt, hops, and yeast.

What is Oktoberfestbier?

The beer poured at the festival is a special Oktoberfestbier (historically a Märzen-style lager). It’s golden to amber, full-bodied, smooth, and brewed a little stronger than everyday lager specifically for the festival.

How strong is it? Oktoberfestbier typically runs around 5.8–6.4% ABV — noticeably stronger than the ~5% you might expect. Combined with the serving size, it sneaks up on you.

The Maß: beer by the liter

There’s only one size that matters: the Maß (pronounced “mahss”) — a full one-liter glass stein. That’s about 2.1 US pints in a single glass, and it’s heavy when full (the glass alone is about a kilo). There are no half-liters in the big tents.

A few ordering notes:

• You must have a seat to be served. No seat, no Maß.
• Flag down your server (often carrying 10+ steins at once) rather than going to a bar.
• Tip by rounding up — €1–2 per Maß is customary and keeps the beer coming.
• Cash only in most tents.
• Not a beer drinker? Most tents also have Radler (beer + lemonade), wheat beer, soft drinks, and water; the Weinzelt serves wine.

What a Maß costs

For 2026, expect roughly €15–€16.50 per Maß, depending on the tent (official prices are confirmed by the city each summer). Add your tip on top. See our dates & schedule guide — we update the confirmed price there once it’s announced.

How to toast like a local

When the band strikes up “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit,” everyone stands, raises their Maß, and toasts together — it happens constantly. The etiquette:

1. Raise your stein and find people to clink with.
2. Make eye contact as you clink — skipping it is considered bad luck (and bad manners).
3. Say “Prost!” and take a drink.
4. Set the stein down before the next song.

And the golden rule: drink at your own pace. A liter at a time, at 6%, adds up fast — alternate with water and food, and you’ll last the whole day.

Prost! Next, pick your spot with our Beer Tent Guide, line your stomach with our Food Guide, and get the lay of the land in our First-Timer’s Guide.