The Germans have a word for the weak who pass out in the middle of Oktoberfest celebrations: Bierleichen, or beer corpses. We have faith that our readers are strong enough (and can hold enough liquor) to tackle to Munich’s magnificent fête and its official beer. Es ist Zeit partei, meine Freunde!

Although the real Oktoberfest celebration in Munich doesn’t begin until the end of September, the brewing companies of the world have already eased our rapacious desire for this autumnal beer. Any liquor store worth its weight in Germans will have numerous options for you. However, a word to the wise: any German worth his weight in beer would be highly offended if one mistook a pumpkin ale for an Oktoberfest brew.

Oktoberfest is its own style of beer originating in Germany. According to our friends at BeerAdvocate, a traditional Oktoberfestbier is “full-bodied, rich, toasty, typically dark copper in color.” In other words, it doesn’t taste like pumpkin pie in a bottle. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that; just save it for Halloween.) Many beers use the Oktoberfest label, however, but prove to be hoppier and spicier than one using the traditional recipe.

To locate some of the best and truest Oktoberfests, Bostonist spoke with Steve at Downtown Wine and Spirits in Davis Square, where one must navigate carefully between alternating Oktoberfest and pumpkin beer displays. Steve opined that two traditional and tasty picks are Spaten’s Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen and Paulaner’s Oktoberfest-Märzen. This Bostonist has gotten only as far as Spaten’s so far, but would have to agree with Steve's assessment.

Photo by a4gpa on Flickr, used with Creative Commons license. More Octoberfestbiertips after the jump!

Downtown’s most popular Oktoberfest is, of course, Sam Adam’s, and while we agree that it’s decent, give a few others a try too (even other than Harpoon): Stoudt’s, Otter Creek, Hofbrau, or even Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest. We tried Clipper City’s Märzhon Oktoberfest-style lager and were pleased despite its subtlety. So that's two down, all of Germania to go. For more info on this style of beer and for even more drinking choices, visit BeerAdvocate.com. Prost!