Oktoberfest is the world’s biggest beer festival, yet only six breweries are allowed to serve their beer inside the official tents in Munich.
Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten make up the famous Big Six. All six are Munich breweries with deep roots in the city, and each brews its own beer for Oktoberfest season.
So, why do these six breweries get a place at the Wiesn? We’re taking a closer look at the Big Six, their brewing history and the Oktoberfest beers you can try for yourself.
You can also browse our Oktoberfest beer range to see what’s currently available at German Beer.
Why Can Only Six Breweries Serve Beer at Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest might attract visitors from across the globe, but its beer remains firmly tied to Munich.
Beer served at the official festival must be brewed within Munich and meet the requirements associated with the city’s brewing tradition. Today, only Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten qualify.
You’ll find plenty of other German breweries producing Festbier and Märzen for Oktoberfest season, but they can’t serve their beer at the official festival in Munich.
Together, the Big Six have become inseparable from Oktoberfest and Munich’s brewing identity.
Augustiner-Bräu
Augustiner is Munich’s oldest independent brewery, with a history dating back to 1328. Augustinian monks originally brewed beer at their monastery, beginning a brewing tradition that has survived for almost 700 years.
The brewery remains particularly traditional at Oktoberfest. Augustiner is the only one of the Big Six to serve its festival beer from wooden barrels at the Wiesn.
Its Augustiner Oktoberfest Beer comes in at 6.3% ABV. It’s crisp and balanced, with light bready malt, gentle caramel and grassy notes followed by a rounded hop finish.
Hacker-Pschorr
Hacker-Pschorr can trace its history back to 1417, making it another of Munich’s historic brewing names. The brewery grew considerably under Joseph Pschorr during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and became an important part of the city’s brewing industry.
Its Oktoberfest beer leans towards the traditional Märzen character associated with the festival.
At 5.8% ABV, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen Beer is rich and well-rounded. Lightly toasted, nutty malt brings depth and gentle sweetness, while floral-fruity hops lead into a dry, balanced finish.
Hofbräu München
Hofbräu’s story began in 1589 when Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria founded the brewery to supply beer to the Bavarian court.
Its connection with Oktoberfest goes right back to the festival’s early years. Hofbräu was represented at the original celebrations in 1810 and remains one of its most recognisable breweries today.
The 6.3% ABV Hofbräu Oktoberfest Beer is fresh and crisp, bringing together grain, hay and dough-like malt notes. Traditional noble hops add a firm bitterness to the finish.
Löwenbräu
Löwenbräu has centuries of Munich brewing history behind it, with its roots linked to the city’s Löwengrube. The brewery grew rapidly during the 19th century and became one of Munich’s biggest beer producers.
Its Oktoberfest presence is hard to miss. The Löwenbräu festival tent is topped by a huge mechanical lion that has become a familiar sight on the Wiesn.
At 6.1% ABV, Löwenbräu Oktoberfest Beer is light-bodied and refreshing. It starts crisp before a spicy hop bitterness comes through, followed by a touch of sweetness on the finish.
Paulaner
Paulaner’s brewing history dates back to 1634 and the monks of the Neudeck ob der Au monastery in Munich.
The brewery became involved with Oktoberfest during the festival’s early development and has remained one of its major names ever since.
Paulaner Oktoberfest Beer is a 6% ABV golden lager with a smooth, malt-led character. Lightly toasted malt combines with subtle fruity spice before a bright, lemony hop finish.
You can also enjoy Paulaner’s festival beer in different formats, including Paulaner Oktoberfest Beer cans and a Paulaner Oktoberfest Beer 5 litre mini keg if you’re planning your own Oktoberfest celebration at home.
Spaten
Spaten can trace its brewing history back to 1397, giving it more than six centuries of Munich heritage.
The brewery also played an important role in the development of Munich lager brewing. During the 19th century, the Sedlmayr family helped establish Spaten as one of the city’s leading breweries and contributed to the development of the lager styles Munich would become famous for.
The 5.9% ABV Spaten Oktoberfest Beer is crisp and lively, with biscuit-like malt, grainy notes and a hint of lemon. A dry, hoppy finish rounds it off.
What Makes the Big Six Oktoberfest Beers Different?
All six breweries share the same Munich roots, but their Oktoberfest beers have their own distinct character.
Augustiner is crisp and balanced, while Hacker-Pschorr offers a richer, maltier drinking experience. Hofbräu brings a firmer bitterness, Löwenbräu keeps things light and refreshing, Paulaner combines smooth malt with brighter citrus notes, and Spaten delivers a dry, hoppy finish.
Trying a few side by side gives you the chance to experience the different flavours found across Munich’s official Oktoberfest breweries without having to make it all the way to the Wiesn.
Bring Oktoberfest Home With German Beer
Munich’s Big Six have spent centuries earning their place at Oktoberfest. Now you can put their festival beers to the taste test at home.
Explore our Oktoberfest German beers to find beers from Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. Pick the brewery that caught your attention above or grab a few and decide which Big Six beer gets your vote.
Want to dig deeper into the styles, traditions and flavours behind the German beer festival? Read our complete Oktoberfest beer guide for everything you need to know.