Eppig Festbier is the Vista brewery’s take on the Oktoberfest lager, brewed for the fall season. Eppig describes it as a smooth golden lager brewed for Oktoberfest season, and at 6.0% it sits right in the classic festbier range: stronger than an everyday lager, but still built for drinking by the liter. It is a seasonal release from a brewery that takes its German-style lagers seriously, and it shows.

The basics

• Brewery: Eppig Brewing (Vista, CA)
• Style: Festbier
• ABV: 6.0%
• IBU: Not published

What to expect

Festbier pours a clear, bright gold with a white head. The aroma is soft and bready, with light malt sweetness and a gentle hop spice in the background. On the palate it is smooth and clean, with toasted bread and a touch of honeyed malt up front, then a mild herbal hop note that keeps it from feeling heavy. The body is medium and the finish is dry and crisp, which is what makes a festbier work: it is malty without being sweet, and strong without tasting strong. This is a beer built for a second pour.

Our rating

7.4/10

Rated by Alex (7.4). Alex gave this one a 7.4, the highest score in this batch, and we agree it earned it. Festbier is a well-executed Oktoberfest lager: smooth, malty, and very drinkable, with just enough hop character to stay balanced. An easy recommendation when it is on tap in the fall.