Crooked Stave Artisans 'Festbier' Lager Beer, Colorado

Pale gold with honeyed malt, fresh bread, and a clean lager finish, Crooked Stave Artisans 'Festbier' Lager Beer is a bright, stein-ready interpretation of the beer poured at modern Oktoberfest celebrations. The 2026 release retains the same published 6.0% ABV and German-malt profile as the 2025 edition, with no disclosed recipe change, preserving its lighter Festbier character rather than shifting toward a darker Märzen. It extends Crooked Stave’s evolution from a wild-fermentation specialist into a brewery equally committed to precise traditional lagers.

Product Details:

• Owner: Yetta Vorobik, majority owner and operator
• Brewmaster: Chad Yakobson
• Style: Festbier, Oktoberfest lager
• Malt: German malts
• ABV: 6.0%
• Packaging: Cans and draft
• Release: 2026 seasonal release
• Release Comparison: Published ABV and German-malt profile remain consistent with the 2025 edition; no recipe change has been disclosed

Sensory Description:

The beer pours pale gold with a creamy white head and opens with honey, fresh bread, crackers, and light toast. Gentle malt sweetness fills the center of the palate without becoming heavy, balanced by restrained bitterness and lively carbonation. The finish is clean, crisp, and lightly dry, retaining enough malt depth for a festive autumn lager while remaining highly drinkable.

Brewer's Background:

Founded by Chad Yakobson in 2010 as Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, the brewery first established its reputation through detailed research into Brettanomyces and pioneering work with wild and barrel-aged beer. The producer now operates as Crooked Stave Brewing Co. under majority owner and operator Yetta Vorobik, with Yakobson remaining involved as founder and brewmaster. Its modern portfolio includes refined lagers, hop-forward ales, stouts, and experimental releases alongside the mixed-fermentation beers that shaped its early identity. Festbier reflects that broader approach, applying the brewery’s longstanding focus on fermentation, balance, and technical control to a traditional lager style.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 42 to 46°F in a dimpled stein or tall lager glass to emphasize its malt aroma, carbonation, and clean finish. Pair with soft pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, roast chicken, alpine-style cheeses, potato pancakes, or grilled sausages with mustard.