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Ultimate Oktoberfest

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Märzen · One of 87 Märzens in hopIQ

Ultimate Oktoberfest is a strong version of the brewery's German-style Märzen, aged for nine months in bourbon barrels and released at 9.4 percent each autumn. The barrel lays notes of bourbon, vanilla and oak over the caramel and sweet bread of the malt, joined by warm baking spices. It is moderately sweet with a light bitterness, the body is fuller than in the regular Oktoberfest, and the finish carries a gentle alcohol warmth.

ABV
9.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber9
See all Märzen alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Märzen.
Malt character
caramel
malty
bready
Distinctive notes
oak
vanilla
spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ultimate Oktoberfest

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper hue with excellent clarity and a refined, persistent head that adheres well to the glass walls. The carbonation is moderate, creating a steady stream of fine bubbles that sustains the foam structure throughout the drinking experience.

deep amberclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

Bourbon barrel aging brings forward pronounced notes of vanilla, oak, and whiskey warmth that layer elegantly over the malt base. Beneath these wood influences lie caramel sweetness and the gentle spice of baking spices—cinnamon and subtle clove—creating a complex nose that balances richness with restraint.

bourbon oakvanillacaramelbaking spices

◐ Taste

The palate opens with sweet caramel and bread-forward malt character, followed by waves of bourbon barrel influence—oak, vanilla, and a warming alcohol presence. Bitterness remains light and measured at 22 IBU, allowing the malt sweetness and barrel complexity to dominate, though the finish carries enough dryness to prevent cloying.

caramel maltbourbon oak vanillasweet breadlight bitter finish

◑ Finish

A long, warming finish with lingering notes of oak, vanilla, and gentle alcohol heat that extends the drinking experience. The aftertaste remains slightly sweet with residual spice, never becoming hot or aggressive despite the 9.4% ABV.

warm alcohollingering oakextended finish
83
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
82
Finish
82
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Ultimate Oktoberfest

Serve at 7–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Ultimate Oktoberfest

About Märzen

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Märzen?

Märzens are Bavarian lagers with 5.8–6.3% ABV. Rich toasty malt — bread, caramel, biscuit — with clean lager fermentation and low bitterness.

Finding a similar Märzen

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, sweet, oak character as Ultimate Oktoberfest will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Märzens in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Märzen beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →