Founders Ultimate Oktoberfest BBA Marzen

I bought a 4 pack and liked it, however I'm not sure I would've called in an Oktoberfest....just me bitchin'......

 

That’s exactly what they do. It would be interesting to see a blind taste test, I’ve thought this for some time. Yes the beers are good. But, I would venture my guess most people have regular access to beers just as good minus the exorbitant cost of obtaining it online or in a trade. Such is life.

 

Last night had one of theses as my first Octoberfest beer this year. Not sure what i was thinking as I've got Ayenger and Hacker Pschorr in the beer fridge. Was in the mood for a strong dark, should of had a Bigfoot, but hey.
Aroma and taste were initially overpowering. Was hard to separate the Bourbon aging from the alcohol. Weird combo for a lager, definitely not an Octoberfest. But...it grew on me as we went on. Will prolly keep these around for a while, would be most favorable on a more wintry eve. Must admit, I'm a sucker for those high ABVs. Don't see me purchasing any more of these, but also don't have any buyer's remorse.
Will soon start tackling those more traditional Octos/ festbiers in the fridge. Just need to find the right sausage salamis and Tilsit cheese.

 

So, how good is the regular Founder's Oktoberfest? I see that 12packs arrived in Casper.

 

Just my opinion but, meh. A typical Ami-Okto, and maybe just a little more lackluster.

Full disclosure, I sampled it 2 years ago, but I haven't heard any reasons to gamble on another 6-pack since.

 

Thanks. If I can get a single, I'll go for that.

 

Here's a blind tasting of Oktoberfest beers I found. Kind of interesting.

https://uproxx.com/life/every-oktoberfest-beer-blind-taste-ranking-2022/

 

They called my favorite packaged Oktoberfestbier (Hofbrau) that I can get in my area “German piss lager.” Yay. Good job Uproxx! That sounds about as accurate as their claim that Weihenstephaner is one of the Munich big six. That's just from a glance, I won't read any deeper. @steveh

 

@Bitterbill, thanks for the above link. Drinking beer blind is indeed the best way to evaluate beer since it mitigates bias.

Cheers!

 

Yeah... I stopped after I saw mis-statements about Märzen history. Glad I missed the HB "opinion."

I wonder if they mentioned that they needed to mail order SN Okto?

"Senior film and culture writer."

 

Looks like Smartmouth (Norfolk brewery) is doing something similar, an impy bourbon barrel Octoberfest (only 8+% though). I'll get a 4 pack.

 

That didn't take long...

Number 4 on Beeradvocate

Number 1 on Untappd

Ugh...

 

Suggested style change: Imperial Brown Ale.

 

I don’t think it’s an ale is the only issue there. Maybe imperial brown lager if you’re so inclined.

 

It ain't a Märzen either, so are we picking nits now?

 

If it doesn't have German malt character, it won't make past my taste buds as an Oktoberfest. I am REALLY enjoying the Warsteiner Oktoberfest from a case just purchased at Costco. Tastes like a fresh batch for a change.

 

I mean….that’s subjective. It is definitely not an ale. I like the beer personally. Doesn’t necessarily pass the “sniff” test for traditional but most of the IPA’s I drink probably don’t either.

 

I'll just use ABV as the foundation of my proof. Not subjective, science.

If someone sat the beer down in front of you without telling you what it was, would you guess it to be a Märzen, or something like a Brown Ale? I know that's all academic now, but imagine showing up at a party and a friend saying, "Hey, try this -- tell me what you think?"

 

It’s hard for me to indulge you here because in one stroke you say the ABV disqualifies it from being a Marzen, “scientifically”. In the next, you qualify it as an ale because of what one might think of it upon first taste.

I will say, you’re the third person I’ve talked with that has said it would work better in an -ale category. Me personally, I don’t care what they call it. It is what it is. At this point the style “lines” are so muddled that I don’t know what to think about half the stuff that makes it’s way to my glass.