First: Yes, it’s still too early for Oktoberfest. But breweries are starting to roll out their various Oktoberfest-styled beers, and this week I received two cans of one of the originals, Oktoberfest Bier from Germany’s Paulaner. This is in the “modern” festbier style, the lighter, golden colored, more drinkable beer served at Munich’s Oktoberfest (which was developed by Paulaner in the 1970s), rather than the amber Märzen-styled lagers many of us still think of. (Paulaner still also offers this version.)

Here’s some of the marketing copy which accompanied the beer:

The official Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, Germany may be canceled this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the 200+ year tradition safely at home with a true, authentic, Bavarian brew like the Paulaner Oktoberfest bier!

The Paulaner Oktoberfest bier is Germany’s #1 Oktoberfest bier, and is also the only Paulaner bier that is served in the Paulaner Oktoberfest tents today. Brewed once a year, and only available while supplies last, the Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier is the pinnacle of German brewing: deep golden color, full-bodied and wonderfully mellow, with a balanced harmonious taste and the pleasant fragrance of hops. At 6% ABV, it is stronger and bolder than the usual lager.

Paulaner is also only one of six breweries allowed to serve at the famous festival in Munich and as such, must adhere to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law. This law protects the purity and quality of beer by allowing only four ingredients in the brewing process: hops, malt, yeast and water.

I likely won’t be drinking and reviewing this closer to the actual, traditional dates of Oktoberfest (September 18 through October 3 this year). But I noticed on the Paulaner website that there’s an Oktoberfest page which includes tips, ideas, music, etc. for celebrating at home this year; that’s a great idea, with the pandemic still raging. I’ll do my part!