This Oktoberfest Ale 5 Gallon beer recipe kit helps you brew a full-bodied, malty Oktoberfest-style ale with light red color, subtle bitterness, and a clean, dry finish, ready to drink in about four weeks.
Makes 5 gallons (approximately 48–54 bottles) of Oktoberfest Ale
Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
Traditional Oktoberfest-style ale with Munich malt character
Ingredient-only 5-gallon beer recipe kit
Clean and dry, the simple route
This recipe builds a lager style as an ale, and US-05 is the most straightforward way to do it. It finishes driest of the five and stays neutral, so the Munich and caramel malt define the beer. Ferments happily at room temperature with no special handling.
Ferment at 64-79°F
Attenuation 78-82%
Flocculation Medium
Clean and neutral
Fullest and maltiest
2112 holds genuine lager character well up into cool room temperatures, so you get a true Oktoberfest profile without a fermentation fridge. It finishes fullest of the five, leaving the Munich and caramel malt rich on the palate. High flocculation drops it brilliantly clear.
Ferment at 58-68°F
Attenuation 67-71%
Flocculation High
Malty and brilliantly clear
Lager finish, a whisper of fruit
The Cologne strain, giving a light ale fruitiness over a clean lager-like base, and it works across a generous temperature band. It splits the difference between the ale and lager options here. Powdery and slow to settle, so it needs cold conditioning to go bright.
Ferment at 56-70°F
Attenuation 73-77%
Flocculation Low
Ale fruit, lager finish
Rich, malty, properly Bavarian
A genuine Bavarian lager strain used by German breweries for rich, full bodied malty beer, which is precisely what this grain bill is reaching for. It needs real cold and a thorough diacetyl rest once fermentation finishes.
Ferment at 46-58°F
Attenuation 73-77%
Flocculation Medium-High
Rich, full, malty
Lager character without the lager temperature
Pitch Lutra warm, near the top of its range, and it ferments clean and fast enough to give you a crisp Oktoberfest in days rather than weeks, with none of the esters or phenolics a warm ferment usually brings. The quickest turnaround here by a wide margin.
Ferment at 54-95°F
Attenuation 74-80%
Flocculation Medium-High
Clean, fast, no fridge
✅ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step brewing support
Flavor Profile & Beer Style
The Oktoberfest Ale is a malt-forward beer with rich caramel and toasted malt character, subtle bitterness, and a smooth, clean finish. Munich-style malts create depth and body, while German hops provide balance without dominating the malt profile.
The result is a traditional, approachable Oktoberfest-style ale that’s flavorful, balanced, and well-suited for seasonal brewing.
What’s Included in the Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Oktoberfest Ale at home:
6.25 lb Pilsen dry malt extract
Mt. Hood / Perle blend hops (bittering)
Steeping grains
Grain steeping bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
How the Brewing Process Works
Brewing your Oktoberfest Ale follows a traditional ale process with optional cold aging to enhance malt smoothness:
Brew: Steep specialty grains, boil the wort, and add hops
Ferment: Ferment with ale yeast until clean and complete
Condition: Cold age the beer after carbonation to develop smooth malt character
Enjoy: Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
For best results, aging the beer cold for a few additional weeks will help replicate the traditional lagering process historically used for Oktoberfest beers.
New to Liquid Yeast?
Liquid yeast can deliver excellent fermentation performance and a wider range of strain options, but it’s a living, perishable product that requires a little extra care.
Liquid yeast may arrive warm. Ice packs help reduce heat exposure but do not guarantee cold arrival.
Refrigerate it when received and plan to brew as soon as possible.
We recommend adding an insulated mailer + ice pack to liquid yeast orders.
During May–September, dry yeast is strongly recommended due to higher shipping temperatures.
Liquid yeast is final sale and cannot be replaced due to heat exposure during transit.
Homebrewers interested in classic German-inspired ales
Drinkers who prefer smooth, balanced beers with subtle sweetness
Because it’s brewed in larger volume, this kit is well suited for seasonal brewing, sharing with friends, and serving at fall gatherings.
Oktoberfest Ale Specs
Batch Size: 5 gallons
ABV: ~5.5%
Style: Oktoberfest Ale
Bitterness: Low
Color: Light red / amber
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Quality You Can Trust.
We use the same premium grains, hops & yeast trusted by the pros. No shortcuts. No substitutes. Just the good stuff.
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Oktoberfest Ale 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
From $39.50
What You'll Brew
Oktoberfest Ale
A classic German-style ale brewed with Munich malts and traditional German hops. This beer delivers rich malt sweetness, subtle hop balance, and a smooth, clean finish that defines the Oktoberfest tradition.
What's Inside the Oktoberfest Ale 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Oktoberfest Ale at home:
6.25 lb Pilsen dry malt extract
Mt. Hood / Perle blend hops (bittering)
Steeping grains
Grain steeping bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
Make Your Next Batch with the Oktoberfest Ale Beer Recipe Kit
Brewing Oktoberfest Ale at home lets you recreate a time-honored German beer style with approachable techniques. This kit walks you through brewing and optional cold conditioning to enhance malt smoothness. With reusable equipment and authentic ingredients, you can enjoy a seasonal classic or brew it anytime you crave rich, malty beer.
Easy Steps to Making Oktoberfest Ale Beer
Make Your Beer Look As Good As It Tastes.
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Want Extra Guidance? We've Got You Covered.
New to homebrewing or want extra confidence on brew day? Our Guide to Craft Brewing walks you through every step of the process—from brewing and fermentation to bottling and conditioning. It’s written in plain language and designed to help you brew great beer on your very first batch.
