As beer fans know, despite its name, Oktoberfest officially starts in late September. The starting date was moved in the 19th century to take advantage of the better weather

This year the official start date in Germany is Sept. 20, but here in the U.S., we've been seeing Oktoberfest beers on tap and on shelves since mid-August. It's not a trend I love, but it is what it is in our hurry-up society.

In honor of this special time of year, today we look at six fest beers you might want to try: three international brands and three locals. Let's get started:

First up, I think I'm legally required to mention Ayinger Oktoberfest Fest-Marzen. OK, I'm kidding about the legal part, but I have a few beer-loving friends who actively wait for this brew every year, and I would be cancelled if I didn't mention it. And it is incredibly good. It has a great malt aroma, a matching somewhat sweet flavor, but with a subtle but effective hop underpinning that keeps it from being cloying. It has a big body but finishes clean.

Our second beer today is Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfestbier out of Munich. This might be my favorite of the German versions of this style. It's malty, but in a cracker kind of way, not directly sweet. It's incredibly easy to drink, with a somewhat roasted malt finish that is still very crisp. It's 6.3 ABV, but doesn't reveal much booze in the flavor.

Erdinger Oktoberfest is our third international offering today. Like Ayinger, it's a Bavarian brew. What sets it apart from many others in this style is that it's a weissbier, so the maltiness isn't based on as much of a caramel factor as others. The main notes are grainy and hoppy, with the expected hint of clove that comes with wheat beers.

As far as local offerings, I'd like to start with the Oktoberfest brewed by The Brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield. This brew veers a bit away from many in the style. The malt structure is built on a bready goodness that comes from the crystal malt grown right there on the farm. It's light and smooth and if you can drink it outdoors at the farm in the autumn, more the better.

I guess it's no secret that I love bread, which might be why the second local choice today is the Oktoberfest from Ludlow's Vanished Valley Brewing is. It leads with a toasty aroma which is mirrored in the flavor profile. Some hints of earthy hops dance around the edges to provide balance. Some mildly spicy notes emerge as the beer warms. Finishes clean and invites you to have a second.

Our third local selection comes from Tree House Brewing in Deerfield. For a brewery renowned for its IPAs, Tree House certainly showed they can swing 180 degrees and create a great malty beer. Some biscuit in the nose acts as a harbinger for the flavor, which also adds some caramel and a smidgen of dark fruit notes. As I would expect, the hops are a bit more forward than a traditional Oktoberfest, but they make the beer even better.