Complete guide to Riedenburger beers at Yokohama Red Brick Oktoberfest—The flavor of 5 draft beers and tips for tasting
💡Riedenburger: a special choice available at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Oktoberfest is held this year from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, October 4. The venue will be lined with German beers.
"Everything looks delicious, I'm spoiled for choice." We understand (laughs). When you're trying to enjoy an authentic experience, you want to make sure it's good.
That's why we'd like to introduce you to the draft beers from Riedenburger, a German organic brewery. Founded in 1756, it's a prestigious family-run brewery that has been passed down for eight generations. We went into detail about how "deep" this brewery is in this column. This time, we'll delve into the most important question: "Which one should I actually drink?" If you're wondering at the venue, remember this page.
💡Three common attractions of Riedenburger beer
Before we dive into each brand, here are just three things that make Riedenburger beer stand out. Knowing these will deepen your appreciation for each glass.
① All organic
The ingredients—barley and hops—are grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, using only organic methods. From the field to brewing, everything is consistently certified, making it a genuine organic beer. Riedenburger has been committed to this path, which requires considerable effort and cost, for over 30 years.
② Primarily "unfiltered"
Yeast and other elements are intentionally not filtered out of the finished beer; it goes straight into barrels or bottles. This is why the glass is slightly cloudy, and the full flavor of the malt and yeast is preserved. It's a vibrant taste, close to freshly brewed.
③ Sometimes uses "ancient grains"
Some brands use "ancient grains" like emmer and einkorn, which have been cultivated for thousands of years. This creates a unique character—fragrant and deep—that you won't find anywhere else. For more on the philosophy behind German beer, readour column on "What is German beer?".
💡Five draft beers you can enjoy at the Yokohama venue
Now for the main event. Here are the Riedenburger beers served on tap at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse venue. I've arranged them in an order that makes you want to drink them, from lighter to darker.
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🍺 Viva Bavaria Festbier ── Start with this. The star of the festival If you're looking for the "Oktoberfest classic," this is it.Viva Bavaria Festbier, as its name suggests, is brewed for the festival (Fest).
With an amber hue and fine white foam, a sip reveals a fragrant and subtly sweet malt flavor reminiscent of freshly baked bread and caramel. At around 5% ABV, it has the satisfying body typical of a festival beer. This "amber-colored richness" tradition becomes even more interesting when you readthe column on lagers (Märzen). It's the perfect beer for the first toast. |
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🍺 Pils ── Unfiltered Pils with refreshing citrus notes If you prefer something crisp and refreshing, try the Pils.
Golden in color with a dense head of foam. It has a refreshing aroma reminiscent of citrus and summer grass, with a spicy, elegant bitterness from locally grown organic hops. Riedenburger's Pils is unfiltered, so you'll notice a richer malt flavor than typical clear pilsners. Perfect for your first drink when you're thirsty, or as a "palate cleanser" between other beers. |
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🍺 Sud IPA ── A vibrant orange, tropical aroma If you want to impress a beer lover, try theSud IPA. It's Riedenburger's craft beer face.
From the vibrant orange glass rises a floral aroma of tropical fruits and wild flowers. The balance between the bitterness created by four types of organic hops and the subtle sweetness of the malt is exquisite. At 6.5% ABV, it's a bit stronger, making it a beer to savor slowly. What's more, this IPA cunningly uses the ancient grain emmer wheat. For more on the profound world of IPAs, check outthe column on German IPAs. |
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🍺 Dunkel ── A robust and rustic dark beer If you're "in the mood for something rich," go for the **Dunkel**. Meaning "dark" or "black" in German, it's a dark beer true to its name.
It has a fragrant and rustic flavor of caramel and roasted malt. Despite its appearance, it's not overly heavy, allowing you to slowly enjoy the malt's sweetness and richness. It has a curious way of feeling just right when you want to unwind a bit amidst the lively festival. |
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🍺 Emmer Bier ── An award-winning flagship beer with ancient grain aroma Finally, there's Emmer Bier, a beer that embodies the essence of Riedenburger. Made with plenty of the ancient grain "emmer wheat," it's a signature beer of this brewery.
With an amber appearance and a rich aroma reminiscent of dried fruit, it boasts a complex flavor with multiple layers of malt goodness. Riedenburger's Emmer wheat beer is an award-winning powerhouse, having received accolades at prestigious European beer competitions (European Beer Star). Discover the taste of "ancient grains" for yourself at the venue. |
💡 If you have the chance, enjoy a beer tasting
With five types available, it's easy to be indecisive, but fortunately, the Yokohama venue also offers a set where you can taste small amounts of different German beers in an original design beer mug. It's a great opportunity to try various characteristics at once.
The golden rule for order is "light to dark"
The basic rule for tasting is to go from lighter-colored beers to darker ones. The order we introduced (Festbier → Pils → IPA → Dunkel → Emmer) is a perfect example of this.
If you drink a dark beer first, your palate gets accustomed to it, making it harder to appreciate the delicate aromas of lighter beers. Starting with brighter colors will make each beer's unique characteristics stand out clearly. Tips on the order are also introduced inthe column on recommended tasting order.
💡 Also, pay a little attention to temperature and pace
While ice-cold is refreshing, complex flavors like Emmerbier's open up beautifully when the temperature rises slightly. Be sure to enjoy both the first sip and the changes that follow. And remember to pace yourself and alternate with water. That's the best tip for enjoying the festival thoroughly (laughs). For how locals enjoy their beer, seeour column on how to enjoy authentic German beer.
💡 You can continue the Oktoberfest spirit at home
Once you've found your favorite beer at the venue, you'll probably think, "I wish I could enjoy this at home."
Don't worry, you can. We at Schmatz, having visited authentic Munich, offer plenty of tips in the final part of our series (URL after article ⑫ is published) on how to "recreate" Oktoberfest at home—from choosing beers and glasses to cooking. It's packed with ideas to further enjoy the lingering memories of the venue in your own home.
🍽️ 🍺 Relive the Yokohama experience at our restaurant
The Riedenburger beers you'll encounter at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse—organic, unfiltered, and sometimes even using ancient grains—are all unique and distinctive. At the venue, be sure to use the tasting sets to find your favorite. Look for the name "Riedenburger."
And if you ever want to experience the lively atmosphere reminiscent of the original Oktoberfest again, you can enjoy German beer and cuisine to your heart's content ata Schmatz restaurant near you. Let's keep the fun of Yokohama going, both at home and in our restaurants.
By the way, if you're wondering what the "original" Oktoberfest in Munich is all about, check outthis complete guide.
Prost! Cheers!
