You know the ratings. 1-10 total, 1-5 for design and name, 1-5 for taste and style. Remember there is an American category and a German category (American breweries cannot compete with the Germans in this style).
OMG you guys, Founders finally brewed and widely distributed an Oktoberfest. Watch the review on YouTube: Subscribe, rate, review, etc.
For years my main gripes against Founders have been 1) they don't have a Lager and 2) they don't do holiday seasonals like a Christmas, winter, pumpkin, or Oktoberfest. Of course, I find this incredibly aloof and have been very critical of them and many other breweries who also refrain from doing this. Well, a few years back, maybe in 2018, Founders distributed the Solid Gold Lager (7.8/10 - American) and now they have an Oktoberfest.
I officially have no gripes left against, probably, the best widely distributing craft brewery in the country. (Maybe I'll do a power rankings one of these days.)
Marzen (Oktoberfest/Feistbier)
IBUs: 20
ABV: 6%
Name & Design 3.5
Design
This can is perfect. Typically, with Oktoberfests, Marzens, and Feistbiers (all of which are basically the same), the design will incorporate fall colors, blue & white festival colors, or both. In this instance, the people at Founders elected for Bavarian row homes with an autumn color scheme. This works incredibly well with their own logo and font.
Name
Oktoberfest is a name that can neither be criticized nor applauded. It's basic, accurate, and legendary. So, I can't reward this with a perfect rating because, as we'll see, there are some that have elite clever names.
Beer
Many craft brewers are so strong at IPAs that they tend to lean on hops and overdo it with beers that do not need hops. Founders is so strong at simple, though creative, IPAs that I always worry they'll be a tad hop dependent. I don't know why, they never are. From their famous KBS to their Solid Gold Lager, they don't make the hoppy mistakes their comrades in beer often make.
Their Oktoberfest is no different.
It's beautifully golden dark, properly malty, but it pops like a beer should. It lasts on your tongue. You can easily see yourself returning to the well for this one many times on a football afternoon in Michigan (Go Lions).
I'd pair with fatty protein, myself. Obviously, sausage, sauerkraut, and pork work well. But, I bet my ass BLTs, beef soup, and trail mix are perfect, too.
My take: this is not a home run. It's a double that was absolutely tattooed off the wall to the opposite field. I think it will be unlikely that many of the big-dog craft guys top this.
Comments