Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s distributes Josephsbrau Oktoberfest Beer as a private label beer. The chain does not reveal who produces their private label products. The label on the beer says that it is from San Jose, CA and Gordon Biersch is a well respected brewer based in San Jose. They follow the German purity law, and most assume that they actually brew the beer. Their flagship beer Marzen sounds very similar to Josephsbrau Oktoberfest, although Marzen has a higher ABV and lower IBU.
Josephsbrau Oktoberfest
Trader Joe’s describes Oktoberfest as “a rich, complexly malted lager, made exclusively for us by a respected West Coast craft brewer who marries modern-day technology with old-world recipes. In this particular case, that “marriage” takes some inspiration from a real-life historical wedding! First celebrated in Munich in 1810, the inaugural Oktoberfest was thrown to mark the nuptials of Kronprinz Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe- Hildburghausen. Now nearly synomous with beer, Josephsbrau Oktoberfest is an homage to the festival’s official drink, known to locals as Märzenbier. In fact, in order to match Märzenbier’s marvelously malty profile, the brewers at Josephsbrau have imported three kinds of malts all the way from Germany!
Each sip of Josephsbrau Oktoberfest is full-bodied and caramel-y, but with a light enough touch of hops that it remains remarkably easy-drinking. We recommend serving it well chilled, out of the can or in a frosty glass (or stein, if you’ve got one!), preferably alongside a grilled steak, sausage, or burger. We find that its toasty caramel malts are particularly suited to pairing with seared, and even slightly charred proteins—try a can the next time you’ve got chicken wings, ribs, or brats on the barbecue.”
Josephsbrau Oktoberfest has a 5.3% ABV, 25 IBU and an estimated 150 calories. There is no other nutrition information. It has an “Okay” rating on Beer Advocate.
Our Review of Josephsbrau Oktoberfest
I disagree with the general opinion that this beer is just “okay.”
I have had Gordon Biersch Marzen for many years and always enjoyed it. I have also tried three German Oktoberfest beers. Both Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen and Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen were better than American Marzens. Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier was gold in color and not copper like the other Oktoberfest Marzen beers. It was good but not quite as good.
I assumed that a private label beer from Trader Joe’s would be bad. I don’t know if it is the same beer as Gordon Biersch Marzen, but it is similar. Much to my shock, it was good. Maybe not as good as the German Oktoberfest Marzens, but similar in taste. I would rate it a “4,” but the $6.99 price per six pack pushes it up to “5.” That’s about half the price of the German Oktoberfest beers. Plus it is $3.00 less than the Gordon Biersch Marzen price at Total Wine & More.
I absolutely wanted to drink a second one, but I only had the single. So I bought more the next day. This beer is an excellent choice at that price point.
For excellent German Oktoberfest beers, try Ayinger OktoberFest and Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen.
For beer nutritional information of all beers we have reviewed see Beer Nutritional Information.
