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So many Oktoberfests. So little time to try them all.

We asked Brad Todd, co-owner of Stubby's Gastrogrub & Beer Bar, to lead us through the annual beer wonderland that is Oktoberfest.

Authentic Oktoberfest beers are designed to be light enough in alcohol to drink all day, Todd said. The lagers are kin to the original marzens. They often have a malty caramel backbone and a little sweetness.

As recommended by our beer sherpa, here are five Oktoberfests you shouldn't miss:

1. Ayinger Oktoberfest

The Ayinger brewery was founded in 1878 in the Bavarian village of Aying so it's the real deal. Todd calls it "the absolute best." At 5.6% alcohol by volume, you can sip all day.

2. Boulder Beer Dragonhosen

Boulder Beer's Dragonhosen Imperial Oktoberfest defies the low-ABV category (it comes in at 9%) and draws its flavor from Hallertau and Czech hops and Vienna and Munich malts.

3. New Glarus Staghorn

The Wisconsin-based New Glarus Brewing Co.'s Staghorn Bavarian Octoberfest is known for its amber body and spice bouquet. It takes its yeast from German and its barley from the Midwest. ABV is 6.25%.

4. Upland Brewing Oktoberfest

Upland's Oktoberfest "The Life of Das Fest" comes out of Bloomington, Ind., as a Bavarian lager with a 6.7% ABV.

5. Great Lakes Oktoberfest

The Cleveland-based Great Lakes Oktoberfest goes down as an amber lager with Mount Hood hops hidden in the malt flavor. It clocks in at 6.5% ABV.