Favorite commercial Festbier?
Why?
Still looking for mine. 
I’ll be very interested in other’s replies because I plan on hunting for a few different ones tomorrow.
In the past few years, I’ve had the Hofbräu on tap and the Paulaner both on tap and from the can. Of the two, the Hofbräu was much better. My wife likes the Paulaner, but I get too much alcohol warmth from it. Didn’t notice it at all from the HB, which also had a nicer hops nose.
Sierra Nevada’s 2023 Festbier.
My vote, but there are many good ones out there.
With festbier, I would start at the Big 6.
With so many great breweries, I don’t think the top 6 at Munich, though good, are guaranteed to be everyone’ favorites - Weihenstephan needs a place in the tent IMHO.
I tried these last night.
- Tucher Festbier
- Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier
- Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier
- Bitburger Festbier
- Ayinger Oktoberfest Märzen
Of those my favorite was Hofbrau. It was the lightest and most crisp. The others were all maltier to some degree.
The last and first were more Märzen than BJCP Festbier in my opinion.
Festbier, Oktoberfest/Märzen, or both?
Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen is my favorite beer period, let alone favorite Oktoberfest.
I prefer Märzen over Festbier, but I think Weihenstephaner Festbier is my favorite that I’ve tried.
This year is the first time I’ve found Warsteiner Oktoberfest in my area. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will this weekend. I love their Dunkel, so I’m really looking forward to their O’fest.
Wow! What a tap list!
That’s what I call ephemeral.
Common Bond Wulfenbrau — for purely sentimental reasons.
Perhaps, someone is wondering why I asked? Was trying to get an understanding of how many prefer the Festbier vs Oktoberfest.
I prefer the Festbier instead of the orange, US, Oktoberest type beers. However, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, IMO, is good. At least Boston Brewing Company hasn’t, yet, “Remastered” their Oktoberfest.