Bitburger Brewery (Bitburg, Germany) has officially announced that it will introduce a special edition of its Bitburger Festbier in the U.S. during the first week of August 2020.

Crafted specifically to appeal to the tastes of American craft beer drinkers, Bitburger Festbier is a traditional Märzen brewed with Pilsner, Munich and Caramel malts and “Bitburger’s proprietary . . . hop blend called ‘Siegelhopfen’ (seal hops), which is sourced from a farm just a few minutes from the brewery.” This recipe yields “the perfect marriage of hops and malt with a slightly sweet backbone, while finishing dry.” Coming in at 6.2% ABV, the “full-bodied yet . . . delicately malty and clear” Bitburger Festbier will “conjure up Oktoberfest memories for those who have experienced the festivities and will allow first timers to experience the season in the comfort of their home.”

“During my career as a brewmaster at Bitburger, I have spent a lot of time in the U.S. There, I got to know the American beer market, which still fascinates me today. During this time, the desire to produce a beer especially for this market matured. Now, after our successful Triple Hop’d Lager collaboration with our friends from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the time has come,” said Stefan Meyna, Ph.D., Bitburger’s leading brewmaster. “When our specially crafted Bitburger Festbier hits the market in August, it will convey a traditional German style while also appealing to the desires of our American fans.”

Bitburger Festbier is scheduled to hit the U.S. in August and will hang around through Oktoberfest season. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of the country. Prost!

Vital Information for Bitburger Festbier from Bitburger Brewery

Release – Seasonal; releasing in the U.S. in August 2020
Style – Märzen/Oktoberfest
ABV – 6.2%
Malts – Pilsner, Munich & Caramel
Hops – Siegelhopfen (seal hops)
Availability – 6-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles
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