Around The Bend Oktoberfest 4Pk

Around The Bend Oktoberfest 4Pk (Oktoberfiesta) is a 6.0% ABV Märzen-style lager brewed with pasilla chili pepper and epazote, sold in a four-pack. This Illinois-brewed release stands apart from conventional Oktoberfest beers by layering a Mexican-inspired twist — fruity chili and herbaceous epazote — over a traditional malty Märzen base, earning an 85 score on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Märzen Lager with Chili & Epazote  |  Brewery: Around the Bend Beer Co. at District Brew Yards

Production & Heritage

Around the Bend Beer Co. brews out of District Brew Yards (DBY), a collaborative brewing facility in Chicago, Illinois. Oktoberfiesta starts with a classic Märzen lager foundation — expect the requisite caramel and toasty malt character — then diverges with the addition of pasilla chili pepper and epazote, an herb commonly used in Mexican cuisine often described as having a tea-like, slightly minty quality. The result is a hybrid that bridges German brewing tradition with Latin American flavors, a concept that has earned the beer a loyal following with over 2,200 ratings on Untappd.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet caramel malt leads, followed by a faint warmth from the pasilla chili and an herbal, almost grassy note contributed by the epazote. The overall nose stays inviting and malt-forward rather than aggressively spicy.

Taste: The entry is distinctly Märzen — bready, lightly toasted malt with a caramel sweetness that anchors the palate. Mid-palate, the fruity character of the pasilla chili emerges alongside a very subtle heat that stays restrained. The epazote adds an herbaceous undercurrent that keeps the sweetness in check, giving the beer a lighter, more refreshing quality than many traditional Märzen lagers.

Finish: The finish is relatively quick and clean, with lingering toasted malt and a whisper of chili warmth. It closes drier than expected, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Oktoberfiesta

Serve cold in a traditional Märzen-style mug or a standard pint glass at around 45–50°F to let the chili and epazote aromatics open up without losing the crisp lager quality. The beer's subtle spice and malty backbone also make it a surprisingly versatile ingredient: try it in a Michelada, where the existing chili character complements the Tajín and lime; use it as the base for a Beer-a-Rita (beer margarita), where the Märzen sweetness pairs naturally with citrus; or build a Shandy with fresh grapefruit juice to amplify the fruity side of the pasilla pepper.

Best For

• Bringing something unexpected to an Oktoberfest-themed gathering
• Pairing with a taco night or Mexican-inspired cookout spread
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to chili-forward styles without overwhelming heat
• Seasonal drinking when you want autumn malt character with a lighter, spicier edge

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Oktoberfiesta taste like? Oktoberfiesta delivers a caramel-forward Märzen malt profile with a subtle fruity chili warmth and an herbal, slightly earthy finish from the epazote — the heat is mild, not aggressive.

How does Oktoberfiesta compare to a traditional Oktoberfest beer? A standard Märzen relies entirely on malt complexity, while Oktoberfiesta adds pasilla chili pepper and epazote, giving it a lighter body and a gentle spice element that traditional versions lack. Reviewers note it drinks somewhat lighter than a classic Oktoberfest, with a noticeable but restrained pepper character.

Is Oktoberfiesta good for beginners? Yes — the chili heat is very subtle and the malty Märzen base is approachable, making it a solid entry point for anyone curious about chili-infused beers without risking palate fatigue.

Where is Oktoberfiesta made? Oktoberfiesta is brewed by Around the Bend Beer Co. at District Brew Yards, a collaborative brewing facility located in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Oktoberfiesta? Carnitas tacos benefit from the beer's malty sweetness offsetting rich pork. Grilled corn with chili-lime butter echoes the pasilla pepper notes. A bratwurst with mustard plays into the Märzen side. Queso fundido matches the beer's caramel malt, and churros with chocolate sauce complement its toasty sweetness for dessert.

What sizes does Oktoberfiesta come in? Oktoberfiesta is available in a four-pack format, the standard offering from Around the Bend Beer Co. for this seasonal release.

Is Oktoberfiesta worth the price? Oktoberfiesta positions as a craft seasonal release at a typical four-pack price point, and the novel combination of Märzen lager with pasilla chili and epazote delivers a genuinely distinct drinking experience that justifies its place among specialty autumn beers.

Why Oktoberfiesta?

In a market flooded with by-the-book Märzen lagers every fall, Oktoberfiesta carves out a narrow and genuine niche by incorporating pasilla chili pepper and epazote into a clean lager base. The concept — essentially a cultural bridge between German and Mexican culinary traditions — is executed with restraint; the spice supports rather than overwhelms the malt. With an 85 on BeerAdvocate and a 3.6 average across over 2,200 Untappd ratings, it has proven its appeal beyond novelty. For drinkers who reach for an Oktoberfest every autumn but want something with a little more personality, this is a credible and rewarding departure from the norm.