The annual 16-day long drinking festival held in Munich, Germany known as Oktoberfest has not only engaged the hearts of American drinkers, but it has also influenced the brewers of some Michigan breweries like Frankenmuth Brewery. With this in mind, we have assembled the best of Oktoberfest styled beers made in the Mitten State for a beer festival called the Michigan Bier Celebration. Held on July 21 in Heritage Park (which happens to be located right behind our Michigan brewery) the Michigan Bier Celebration will offer patrons a chance to try up to 30 different Oktoberfest beers from breweries across the state.

So, you know what Oktoberfest is, but what exactly is an Oktoberfest beer? Funny online videos and tales of insane amounts of beer being consumed may have made you think otherwise, but Oktoberfest beer is not just regular swill lager. Created with love by brewers around the world, but traditionally brewed in Munich, the Oktoberfest beer is signified by its ABV percentage of right around 6% with amber meets copper color and mildly malty flavor. With the Michigan Bier Celebration, Frankenmuth Brewery hopes to bring the best of Oktoberfest from Michigan breweries into an enjoyable atmosphere for all.

The lager-styled Oktoberfest beer is synonymous with the area for it comes from, but the science behind the brewing process is even more interesting. The term “lagering,” which is the process of leaving a beer to brew in a cold place with a temperature of 32 to 40 degrees, dates all the way back to the 1400s. Left to let the bottom creeping yeasts create the lager style beer, brewers of this time used caves as their cooling systems as the advent of refrigeration had not happened yet. While none of the Oktoberfest beer at the Michigan Bier Celebration will come from caves, the Michigan breweries behind the beers still have kept an eye on the rest of the traditional ingredients used in the brewing process.

Celebrating both the beer itself and the culture surrounding it, the Michigan Bier Celebration will not only offer Michigan beer a showcase, but the proceeds will benefit a number of Michigan charities. For the basic ticket price of $10, Michigan Bier Celebration patrons will be able to get a collectible plastic boot for taste testing beers and gain admission to the festival. VIP ticket holders ($25 in advance) will also receive an Oktoberfest boot, food vouchers and eight tickets redeemable for beer. No matter which ticket you decide to buy, you will get the chance to try some of the best Oktoberfest beers and also be donating to some amazing charities.

Google+