Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager Returns to Commemorate Enduring German Beer Festival

Fall beer season is officially getting underway in Hershey as Tröegs Independent Brewing brings back one of its most anticipated seasonal releases: Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager. The traditional German-style lager returns with a crisp, toasty malt profile and a 6.1% ABV, making it a natural choice for cool-weather beer drinking and the brewery’s annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Tröegs takes its interpretation of Oktoberfest seriously, using the traditional German brewing technique of decoction to develop the beer’s distinctive malt character. A portion of the mash is boiled before being returned to the main mash, helping create the bright, dry maltiness that defines this year’s Oktoberfest Lager. Hallertau Tradition hops add subtle floral and herbal notes to the finished beer.

The return of Oktoberfest Lager also signals the approach of the Tröegs Oktoberfest celebration, scheduled for September 12 through September 20 at the Hershey brewery. The festivities will culminate Saturday, September 19, with live music, commemorative stein fills, a stein-hoisting competition, German food specials and additional Oktoberfest activities throughout the Tasting Room, patio and Beer Garden.

Here is the full announcement from Tröegs Independent Brewing about the return of Oktoberfest Lager and the brewery’s 2026 Oktoberfest celebration:

HERSHEY, PA – Tröegs Independent Brewing announces the return of Oktoberfest Lager, a toasty, crisp, and festive beer for the upcoming fall season.

Interpreting this timeless German style starts with a traditional brewing technique called decoction.

“By boiling a portion of the mash, we create a bright, dry maltiness,” says Tröegs brewmaster and co-founding brother, John Trogner.

A kettle addition of Hallertau Tradition hops adds subtle floral and herbal undercurrents.

Clocking in at 6.1% ABV, this toasty lager showcases notes of sweet caramel, fresh-baked bread, and flowering herbs.

To capture the celebratory spirit of the annual Oktoberfest celebration, the Hershey, PA-based brewery collaborated with German artist David Leutert, who took inspiration from the Bavarian flag and traditional beer halls known as “Festzelte.”

The beer’s release comes with excited anticipation of Tröegs’ annual Oktoberfest celebration from September 12 to September 20, when the independent brewery will transform its Tasting Room, patio, and Beer Garden into a festive German beer hall.

The event will peak on Saturday, September 19, when attendees can enjoy live music, commemorative stein fills of Oktoberfest Lager, a stein-hoisting competition, traditional German food specials, and more. Tröegs will also offer an exclusive Guided Tasting Experience, which will be available to book through troegs.com/tours starting September 1.

Oktoberfest Lager is available on draft and in 12-oz. bottles and cans everywhere Tröegs beer is sold. Beer drinkers can locate this and other beers near them using the Tröegs Brew Finder. For additional details, visit the Tröegs blog.

Related Tröegs news from mybeerbuzz.com:
MyBeerBuzz has been following Tröegs Independent Brewing and its ever-changing lineup for years, from iconic beers to Scratch Series experiments and seasonal favorites. Readers can revisit our recent coverage of Tröegs 2026 Nimble Giant Double IPA, Tröegs Pennsylvania Lager, Tröegs Graffiti Highway IPA and Double IPA, and Tröegs Nugget Nectar 2026. We have also covered Tröegs Daylight Chaser Dark IPA and the brewery’s collaboration with Heavy Seas on Deeper Dive Imperial Oat Stout, giving readers plenty of ways to explore the history and continuing innovation of this independent Hershey, Pennsylvania brewery.

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