Founders Bad Habit Belgian Quad - Founders Brewing Company

GbVDave

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a St. Bernardus chalice.

A: Pours a clear ruby brown color. Similar in color to Grade B canadian maple syrup from Trader Joes that I have. No head or lacing.

S: Huge aromas of Bourbon, vanilla, and raw alcohol upon initial pour. As it warmed I detected notes of raisins, pears, and ripe melons.

T: Lots going on here. Bourbon, vanilla, plums, candi sugar, rum soaked raisins, dark over-ripe fruit, and spices.

M: Unexpectedly creamy. I was expecting it to be thin and harsh given it's clarity and obvious alcohol content.

D: Any more than one and you can forget about tasting anything else for a while.

At first I was a little put off by the color and the clarity of this Quad. I prefer my Quads darker in color and opaque. Then I realised that this is just a different interpretation of the style. Not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2006 01:41:49 | More by GbVDave

kboett77

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Wow, quite and experience. The alcohol is quite evident in the odor along with a strong smell of browning banana. The first taste was quite a shock, very sweet and syrupy, a bit much for me at first. However, as the beer warms the flavor improves. The beer cascades down the tongue with a sparkle and a coating sensation. The flavor brings a scotch ale to mind but with out the sophistication. Sweet malty, and banana like, could maybe use more hops?? The beer is quite warming however, and not a bad choice for a cold winter day.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2006 03:43:24 | More by kboett77

gpcollen1

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep dark amber maple syrup into my Ommegang Chalice. Head is virtually nonexistent within a minute after the pour. Aromas immediately say Quad. I am a bit surprised as I did not expect this too resemble other Quads so much aromiwize. Deep alcohol soaked raisins soaked in molasses – wew.

Taste – well wow that is a big malty bastard. Bold flavors to match the aroma with no sediment/yeast. I never thought I would love the absence of yeast so much but I do. I think you have to be a Quad fan to enjoy this and glad I got to try it.

Many thanks to Vancer!!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2006 02:19:06 | More by gpcollen1

Estarrio

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy, light-raisin brown with some floating yeast sediment. Absolutely no head and zero lacings.

Distinct candy, black licorice aroma with some faint malt smell.

Sweet black Licorice, cherry cough syrup, some malt must mostly a soda-like taste. Some bitterness from the yeast is present.

Syrupy with low carbonation, rather unpleasing palate.

This is completely untrue to the style and a forgettable beer altogether.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2006 01:27:32 | More by Estarrio

ALESwhatCURESya

Wisconsin

2.45/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

First of all, not what I was expecting for a Belgian Quad.

A-Pours like a barleywine with a copperis body and absolutely no head. The body appears with a syrupy, candy slickness.

M-Not much detected other than fusel alcohol. A harsh acetone smell fills the nose if a deep whiff is taken.

T-Much more like a belgian barleywine to me. (That sounds like a great next homebrew to try!) The spicy hops fight with the strong Belgian yeast strain. A coarse hop flavor finishes with a pseudo-sweet taste. Somewhat medicinal in taste, but not as bad as it probably sounds.

M-This is not a terrible beer, but the harsh finish leaves the tongue like sandpaper. The bittering hops come on too strong for this type of style.

D-High in alcohol and lots of taste, but nothing here blends that well. I wanted a much heavier malt presence in this and it was a bit thin and overboard.

Maybe I am being too hard on this beer, but true quadrupel fans will, most-likely, be disappointed in this attempt by a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2006 20:22:13 | More by ALESwhatCURESya

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Very nice-reddish orange hue. No real carbonation to speak of. Low aroma. Sweet malt. Piney and vinuous. Big malty flavor with a tinge of alcohol burn in there. I hate to use the word to describe it but it was "shrimpy" tasting to me. Fishy/metallic like flavors. Good body-I dont have much to compare it to quad wise.Fairly dry in the finish department. Ok overall-not much here to rave about. Most Founders beers knock my socks off-this is too much booze and malt and not much else for me. I would say to at least try and form your own opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2006 00:54:20 | More by lackenhauser

bruachan

Rhode Island

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

it's a copper beer with a thin headfilm. a fair column of bubbles rises in the center of my duvel tulip

the aroma is full of coriander and sharp (only slightly hot) fruitiness. no sign of hops and the malt characteristics are secondary. the flavors match but the alcohol plays a larger role...it's a little much considering the alcohol is sub-10%. it's dry and fruity and really not all that malty. certainly not full-bodied

i'll cellar the rest for mellowing

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2006 05:15:53 | More by bruachan

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours hazy, dark copper, with a subtle release of carbonation.
A thin, off-white head appears for only several seconds, and fades to memory leaving a still surface and no lacework.
Aromatics are very promising. Huge bubblegum and fruit, with a fairly complex yeastiness.
Grape jam with the beginnning of rum notes and warming spice.
Aromatics have a lingering alcohol warmth with suggestions of cherries and cloves.
Mouthfeel is a bit sticky, overlapping the mild carbonation.
The pallet is juicy and lightly gummy. Plenty of belgian quad character, with phenols aplenty, but no fusels.
Residuals are still a bit heavy as the brew is a fresh example, but not detracting.
Fruity and warming with rum notes and a fairly complex yeast profile.
Finishes warming and slightly sweet, with bitterness in check.
I can see this one improving for years to come.
A higher level of carbonation would be welcomed to create a more authentic "quad" experience in the nose and pallet.
More karma goes out to Hopasaurusrex for hooking me up. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 00:35:35 | More by brewandbbq

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks jpm30. Good aroma of fresh yeast and fruit. A great tasting beer, though quad is an amazing style. Good soapy bubble white head on golden body. Tasty yeasty drinkable Belgian, unique taste, with spicy secondary. Good significant carbonation. Medium bannana mouthfeel. Funky. Satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 00:16:13 | More by northyorksammy

kmo1030

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

hazed slightly orangey ruby brown with almost no head.
fruity bubblegum aroma with coconut, vanilla, brown sugar, and a little yeast. a little bit of maltiness is detectable as well.
lots of bubblegum in the taste, with coconut and vanialla. it's got a cidery quality that adds some sourness to the mix... malts show up at the end a little with a little caramel and pepper, followed by a little alcholic burn.
pretty full mouthfeel with relatively active carbonation.
decent drinkability... but it's pretty damn sweet like bubblegum apple cider. i'm giong to cellar the other two that i have and see if it improves, it just may.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2006 22:35:44 | More by kmo1030

ppoitras

Massachusetts

2.2/5  rDev -38.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a minimal 1/8" layer of bubbles over the cloudy orangey amber brew. Head is down to a spotty layer of swirly teeny bubbles almost immediately, with little to no lacing. Aroma is syrupy fermented apples. Taste starts with a quick flash of malty sweetness, quickly overtaken by a strong licorice flavor in the middle, and closes with a powerful shot of alcohol. Mouthfeel is tough to handle, and drinkability is cut short by the burn. Not one I'd go searching out again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2006 02:30:21 | More by ppoitras

adammills

Michigan

2.45/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I am more than a bit disapointed with this beer, it may just be a case of a brewery trying to take a good thing too far. The alcohol was overpowering, almost like the beer was too green. I enjoy a high gravity brews but the alcohol was almost burning with this one. Very spicy, hints of bananas. Not super drinkable. Founders stouts are much better.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2006 00:32:24 | More by adammills

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.08/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. This one is a deep golden color with a finger of ivory head that sits very sturdy over the beer. There is a huge outgasing of carbonation through the brew; clarity is moderate. The head falls slowly, but is really chunky even after sitting for a bit. The aroma is full of raisin, a light alcohol spiceyness, as well as a healthy Belgian spiceyness and a little fruity ester from the yeast. I think this one smells nice. Taking a sip, I get a bit of almost smokey phenol that moves to a mild raisin and alcohol, finishing strong in spiceyness, almost a little pepperyness. The flavor actually feels a little muted. It is not as bold as I was expecting. Mouthfeel is thick with a solid moderate carbonation. It is almost a little chewy. I find this one very drinkable. It shows the ABV, but it is never a flaw in the brew. I really think the flavor and aroma marry well. The fruity ester seems a little misplaced, otherwise it is nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2006 02:23:42 | More by kmpitz2

ubermunkey

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a hazy medium copper color with a very thin off-white head. the head disappeard quickly leaving a thin lacing for the remainder of the glass. Smelled of bananas, bubblegum, maybe even a little apple. Medium body with a good amount of carbonation. The taste again was strongly of bananas, sweet with a light sour citrus kick. They hid the alcohol well, i mean you know it's there, but it's full strength doesn't let itself be known until after finishing off the bottle. Obviously this limits it drinkability to a lightweight like myself. Not bad, but it just doesn't suit my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2006 06:14:56 | More by ubermunkey

cabsandking

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Quickly dissipating head sits above an attractive murky orange/brown brew. Aroma has some cherry notes, malty, sharp esters, and strong phenols. High alcohol put a zip on the palate and warmth in the gullet. Malts offer a nice range of characters with sherry wine, oak barrel char, bourbon, butterscotch, and brown sugar. There is a strong phenolic plastic flavor that is a little annoying and is also strong in the finish. Smokey, caramel, and ruby port wine notes increase as it warms. Medium body with a sticky medium mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2006 17:20:51 | More by cabsandking

xav33

Michigan

3.05/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Founders Bad Habit Quad
12 oz bottle
Recent bottling, guilted 11/06
Medium pour in a snifter.

Poured copper with a tiny off white quickly diminishing fizzy head.

Smelt of strongly bubblegum, bananas, sherry, cinnamon and cloves.

Taste was upfront sweet banana, cheap brandy (or more like the European alcohol "marc") , cinnamon and cloves, followed by a harsh yeasty barnyard and mold bitterness on a long finish that dies back to a pleasant banana/bubble gum feel. Mouthfeel was medium bodied, fizzy, creamy, moderately astringent, and excessively alcoholic.

Overall, the pieces are there for a good brew, but the alcoholic feel is just too strong and overshadows the overall feel of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2006 05:03:35 | More by xav33

terrabyte

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a slightly chunky, deep auburn copper with a small, disappearing white head.

At first, I thought I just smelled a similar quad that I just had. Heavy on the brandy/sherry alcohol. But after settling, it has a wonderful airy, grassy quality.

The sweet alcohol flavor blended nicely with each part of this drink. It was apparent with the dark, sweet fruits and the sweet malts. It was present with the light caramel body. In the middle where the alcohol bites, it was already apparant, thus subdued at this point. The aftertaste wasn't as sickly sweet as some of the quads I've had.

Mouthful was just a bit fizzy, but in an enjoyable way. Seemed very active on the tongue.

Drinkability was fine considering the ABV and style. A little sweet, but not too bad even for me (I hate sweets)

Very enjoyable. I found this more complex that others, and intriguing. Made me want to try more.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2006 00:51:04 | More by terrabyte

goodbyeohio

Oregon

2.93/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with a puckered-lip monk on the label. the image makes me think he drank some of this beer and didn't quite like it. hoping things turn out better for me here.

pours an uninspired auburn with no head save an ultra-thin ring around the surface layer. rainbow parabola of creamed lace. phenolic papaya-infused aroma, very invasive and somewhat acidic. too bold in the nose for a quad imho, but this could be promising for the flavor within.

initially buttery, balanced somewhat by sweet brown sugar and rotten cherry syrup flavors. finish sneaks up on you, avoiding what i thought would be a problematic boozer.. however, the aftertaste is very dry and bitter. kind of a mess for a quad, i was hoping this would showcase more mild burnt sugar/caramel notes and subtle fresh berries and dates. naah, either this is entirely too young to drink or contains entirely wrong yeast. i'm able to finish the bottle but i certainly won't revisit on my own dollar (except the one i have left, which will cellar for a year min.)

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2006 12:57:56 | More by goodbyeohio

alexgash

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cool label. Gold auburn body is mostly clear, but a little yeast slipped by and in. Small, ringy off-cream head. Bubblegum (Bazooka) nose with fruit cocktail and spicy booze. Huge estery fruit and bubblegum up front. Light toffee backing, but more sweet fruit punch. Yeasty spice cake and scorched sugar bitterness. Warming, slightly bitter fruit finish. An interesting, fruity “quad.” Moderate body with a syrupy feel. A nice sipper, but a little too bubblegum-centered.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2006 17:49:42 | More by alexgash

cameraman

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a amber/auburn color very little evidence of a head. The scent of a sweet sugary fragrance, fruit aromas( raisons, currants, and slight bit of banana), with some scents of spices as well. The taste is a well blended flavors of the fruit and the spices, with a strong malty flavor coming in at the end to balance it all out. It is a tad watery, but gains some weight as it crosses the palate. It does have the warm feel of alchol as it reaches the back of the throat. A good solid quad and very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2006 01:31:28 | More by cameraman

RedHaze

Nebraska

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark reddish brown, with a 1/8 inch head that fades rapidly to a very thin, spotty cap, leaving behind minimal lacing. I really like the color, but the lack of head retention is a bit disapointing, even for a this high abv beer.

Smell; very belgianesque, with candied sugar and somewhat yeasty. The dark fruits are pleasant, with cherries and plums, but there's also some bubblegum and a little banana.

Taste; the bubblegum and bananas come out a bit more strongly in the flavor. The candied sugar has a significant presence, and the cherries and plums make a nice appearance as well. Not quite as good as the nose, but still nice. Mouthfeel is on the thin side, especially with the lack of carbonation to help out. Drinkability is not bad for such a big beer.

Overall this is a beer I definitely preferred on tap as opposed o the bottle, but I still found it pretty enjoyable. Can't wait to see what Founders decides to bottle next.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2006 02:36:45 | More by RedHaze

Lnedrive14

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I want to like Founders, i really do, but their beers just haven't done it for me...

i dont know how this is classified as a quad. pours a dark orange color with zero head. didn't have the correct body either - waaaay too thin. had the consistency of water (and strangely not carbonated). lots of citrus flavors, strong alcohol presence. quite sharp on the palate - lacked the maltiness associated with quads that balances out the high alcohol content. drinkability was low.

reminded me of an english barleywine, i think (maybe not, i am just doing my best to classify it i think).

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2006 02:37:59 | More by Lnedrive14

quasimoto

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Poured a deep copper color with an off-white head. Some laceing.

S - Strong aromas of fruit, some plum, some orange citrus, spices, and caramel. There is some alcohol present.

T - There is some funky glue like flavor right up front. That flavor stays there all the way through it. Strong malty sweet comes into play, some vinous characters, and the alcohol on the end.

M - Dry, right off the bat. There are some other notables like the carbination sharpness in on the front of the tounge. It also leaves a litttle bit dry down the center, but there is some residue in the end.

D - For the style, its close, maybe it needs some age.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2006 01:15:14 | More by quasimoto

Generik420

Indiana

4.93/5  rDev +36.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is just one fantastic beer. Especially when you consider it pours from a 12oz bottle but tastes like it should come from a corked 750mL. I drank this from a 22oz snifter. Corlor was a bourbon like reddish brown in terms of color and overall appearance.

Smell is strongly of alchohol as you would expect from an almost 10% quad. There is a sweetness in the background with an earthy fruity aroma.

Taste is exceptional. Hints of caramel and raisins. Not overly alchoholic tasting compared to the aroma.

When you take a sip of this, you should expect a slight 'burn' on the way down, similar to wine almost. Medium body and somewhat clinging to the tongue. The flavor stays with you for a while.

I could sit and sip this stuff all night long. The idea of this in a nice snifter in front of fire with some friends is a dream that really needs to happen. If you enjoy a good Belgian style ale, don't pass up the opportunity to give this a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2006 23:39:02 | More by Generik420

bjohnson

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Nick for pushing me to get this one. $2.99 a bottle at Bauer, though it was the last one unfortunately...

A: Pours a purpleish rust color with a frothy one and a half finger cream colored head. Nice retention on this quad that holds the whole way down.
S: Complex. Pear, coconut, spiced rum, and bananas. Slight burn of the nostrils if you breath in too deep. Slight woody notes also.
T/M: Taste is also complex with many different flavors. Nice ride from dark fruit and pear notes to bananas and back to pears. A tad sweet with an infusion of sugars--tastes of bubblegum. Slight bitterness that finishes smoothly. Very creamy in the mouth and soft on the palate. Medium to full bodied beer. Spicy notes mingle in and out staying illusive.
D: A pretty darn good offering from Founders. High abv warms the chest but isn't too noticeable while sipping. Speaking of sipping--that is what this guy is.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2006 23:31:13 | More by bjohnson