BJCP 2021 / 4B
Festbier
A golden festival lager, rich in malt yet easy to drink in liters.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- pale color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 42 to 46F, Half-liter mug
OG1.120
1.054 to 1.057FG1.030
1.010 to 1.012IBU120
18 to 25SRM40
4 to 6ABV14%
5.8 to 6.3%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Rich bready and toasty pale malt
- Light floral or spicy hop
- Clean with a touch of sweetness
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Toasty bread and a hint of hop
- Best
- Moderate toasted bread and honey malt aroma, low floral hop, no fruit
Appearance
3 pts- Deep gold
- Brilliantly clear
- Thick white head
- Vague
- Gold
- Better
- Deep gold, clear
- Best
- Deep gold, brilliant, thick white head with good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Rich bready malt with toasty edges
- A bit of honey sweetness
- Moderate bitterness gives a dry-ish finish
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Rich bread and toast
- Best
- Moderate toasted bread and light honey malt, low spicy hop, moderate bitterness, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth despite the strength
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body and smooth
- Best
- Medium body, smooth, medium carbonation, no alcohol heat
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Depth without heaviness
- Clean finish
Drops it
- Cloying sweetness
- Alcohol warmth
Writing tip
Weigh richness against drinkability. Example: 'Rich toasty malt with a clean, dry-ish finish. Nothing heavy, easy to finish a liter.'
Pour these
- Oktoberfest BierPaulanerRound malt and gentle spice
- OktoberfestbierHofbräu MünchenRich bread and a firm finish
- FestbierWeihenstephanerGolden with a clean sweet-toast malt
Often confused with
- 4A Munich HellesHelles is lighter and gentler
- 6A MärzenMärzen is amber and more toasty
Fine here
- DMS: A trace is tolerated
Ruinous here
- Diacetyl: Butter in a rich lager
- Alcoholic: Hot fusel notes
- Oxidized: Stale bread
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.