Steadfestbier

A little beer-hall spirit, brewed in Toronto. Steadfast Brewing’s Steadfestbier is a 6.3% ABV festival-style lager, with the listing’s malt-forward, amber character giving it a natural place beside hearty food. The name folds the brewery into Festbier, German for “festival beer”: an invitation to gather around the table, even if the table is in your own kitchen.

Festbier belongs to the German tradition of celebratory lagers associated with Oktoberfest. It shares that beer-hall setting with Märzen, though the two style names are not interchangeable. For this Toronto interpretation, the useful starting point is the combination of malt character and lager refreshment, rather than treating it as just another pale lager.

Serve with roast pork, grilled sausages, or mushrooms browned with onions. A warm pretzel and sharp mustard make an easy snack pairing; for the cheese board, try aged Gouda or mature cheddar with pickles and rye bread. Roasted squash and a potato gratin are good vegetarian directions.