Firestone Walker announces return of Oaktoberfest lager
Roll-out begins this week
– Firestone Walker Brewery is bringing back its seasonal classic, Oaktoberfest, for late summer and fall 2024. This year’s edition of the oak-inspired lager, an homage to the “festbiers” synonymous with Munich’s Oktoberfest, is now available in 6-pack (12-oz cans) and draft formats across all Firestone Walker markets.
“There’s nothing that I look forward to more than good lager beer like Oaktoberfest,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “A sessionable beer like this is made to be consumed in celebratory moments, but it’s also the perfect everyday drinker.”
The 2024 Oaktoberfest Oak Aged Lager, with an ABV of 5.2%, continues Firestone Walker’s tradition of brewing and aging beer in oak barrels. This year’s release features a new finishing hop, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, a classic German heirloom variety.
“Hallertau Mittelfrüh is a perfect fit for Oaktoberfest,” Brynildson said. “It’s less fruity compared to a lot of modern hops, and it has more of a resinous and cedarwood character that really plays well with the beer’s malty base.”
Oaktoberfest has been a seasonal staple at Firestone Walker since its inaugural release in 2006, with each year bringing new tweaks. The 2024 edition includes Weyermann Pilsner and Vienna malts, with a dash of Munich and Cara Red malts. According to Brynildson, the Vienna malt helps create the beer’s golden-amber hue and malty flavors.
For the past several years, a portion of Oaktoberfest has been lagered in oak barrels. This year, the barrels were sourced from Winemaker Russell From of Herman Story Wines in Paso Robles.
“Russell is a good friend of ours, and his barrels are every bit as awesome as anything we’ve used before,” Brynildson said. “We’re not looking for a huge oak or wine impact from the barrels. Rather, the barrels lend a fifth element and an underlying presence in the texture of the beer.”
The 2024 Oaktoberfest features a light golden-amber color with a toasty, biscuity flavor. The oak-barrel lagering allows for a smoother texture while maintaining a crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.
“Oaktoberfest is rich in flavor but also light-bodied and easy to drink—it’s the kind of beer you naturally crave as summer turns to fall,” Brynildson said. “Personally, it brings me back to all of our adventures sourcing hops in Germany and taking our team to experience Oktoberfest firsthand. It’s like putting those experiences into the liquid and then adding an extra touch of California flair.”
