Founders Brewing - Oktoberfest Review
Some Oktoberfest beers are so iconic that they are difficult to get your hands on. Very few of them are American, but one cannot be denied the distinction, and that is Founders’ Oktoberfest German-style Marzen. On a mission to seemingly try every Oktoberfest beer on the planet, this one has eluded me for many years. It’s here and gone, and I’m left looking at the back of the shelf.
But not this year! I’ve finally handcuffed myself to a twelve pack so no one can take it away on my trip to the pay counter. And with a 6.0% ABV and 20 IBUs on the back of Pilsner, Munich, and Aromatic malts, and Magnum and Perle hops, this is really looking good and, more importantly, classic in style.
Founders makes some of my favorite beers, but the standard for Marzen-style beers is very high in the Brew house, so I will not hold back. Let’s drink!
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Copper in color, clear as a Bavarian mountain spring, and topped with a cream-colored head that maintains well.
On the Nose--Sweet notes of caramel mix with hearty malt and a touch of floral and spicy hops. Shaping up well. Time for the lederhosen.
On the Palate--Immediately sweet and just as quickly deep and roasted with a touch of rather surprising dark chocolate, but only a touch, likely from the play of the aromatic and munich malt and floral hops. Full-bodied and clean, the semi-dry finish leaves a pleasant note of roasted malt. It’s really quite hoppy, offering the right amount of balance to the sweet backbone.
Drinkers Unite: If you’re looking to go high or low this Oktoberfest season, Founders has got your back. Alongside their original Oktoberfest beer, they offer an Ultimate Oktoberfest beer, aged 9 months in bourbon barrels and touting a 9.4% ABV. But if you’re going dry this year, they also offer a Nonetheless Oktoberfest, a non-alcoholic version of the iconic style. Cheers to all!
Final Thoughts:
I find myself to be rather contrarian, rejecting the hype and letting pop culture go its own way. But after years (and I do mean years) of trying to get my hands on this beer, I began to wonder if the hype was real. And the reason it’s a hard beer to get a hold of is because it’s very good.
The winning component in this lager is Founders’ desire to lean right into the deep malt notes with the help of Pilsner, Munich, and Aromatic malts, leaning fully into the Marzen camp, which I love, compared to some brewers landing somewhere in the middle of a Marzen and a Festbier, often failing in the process. And the extra touch of roastiness that pushes it right to the edge of dark chocolate is really quite craveable, and then the perfect amount of hop bitterness snaps the lager back into balance.
But my job is also to offer some criticism (if only to battle accusations of bias) and I would say Oktoberfest is not as dry as other Marzen lagers, lacking some of those lager qualities, and it is quite roasted, which those who prefer peppier Festbiers might not enjoy as much. But, as a Marzen-snob, I really enjoyed this beer, and I think you will too. It makes me want to drink more and more, as a celebration beer should. So, if you see it, get it, because it will be gone next time you go back.
Prost!
Mr. Brew
If you’re curious about a couple of other Founders icons, check out Centennial IPA and Dirty Bastard Scotch-style Ale.