Founders Curmudgeon (Old Ale) - Founders Brewing Company

cooler4life

Quebec (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a murky reddish brown with a one finger off-white head that settled to a thin cap around the edges. Lacing is thick, bonded to the glass by a thick residue of fine carbonation.

S: A rich malty sweetness lays the groundwork for the nose. Essences of oak, sour pecan, vanilla bean intertwine to play with your senses.

T: Follows the nose. Malt! Boozy from the bourbon undertones, cola, vanilla, caramel. Flavor intensifies as it exists your palate and finishes hot and tangy with a kick of citrus and hops.

M: Smooth!! The ABV is nowhere to be found which is just how I like it. I could use a tad more carbonation to keep things fresh. Full sticky body.

O: I'm cellaring a couple of these to see where it goes. Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. The bourbonesque flavors were balanced very nicely. If all old ales are this good, I'm ready to get crusty.

Update 5/22/13 - Re-reviewing after 1 year on the bottle

Age on the bottle has only made things even more smooth. The flavors have melded together quite well. As I mentioned a year ago, the flavor begins smoothly then intensifies to a wonderful hoppy bite. I'm picking up on a little coffee as well. Carbonation is still on the low side, but who is complaining? Probably the old curmudgeon.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 20:23:02 | More by cooler4life

Waveoff

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -25.2%

05-26-2013 05:13:33 | More by Waveoff

AdamF625

Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- amber, hazy, creamy white head, and a nice white lacing.
S- caramel, oak
T- sweet malt, caramel, hints if cherry, toffee, oak, well balanced hop bitterness on the finish
M- medium body, syrup, well carbonated, strong alcohol presence
O- This is a great blend of sweet syrupy malt and bitter hops encompassed by oak.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 23:05:23 | More by AdamF625

DaveBlack

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Reddish-copper beer. Only a thin layer of head, but that has a long retention and leaves a good amount of lacing.

S: Lots of sweet malts, brown sugar. There is also a slight spiciness and oak aroma to the brew. Really a nice smelling beer, but not very unusual or complex.

T: The beer really shines in this area. I wasn't expecting so much flavor after the rather disappointing aroma. Lots of malts up front, along with a punch of oak, and a deep breadiness. The finish has a light amount of woody hops, with the lingering taste of both molasses and oak. Flavor definitely carries you through to the end.

M: Basically a meal in a glass. Thick and chewy, a moderate amount of carbonation.

O: Good beer. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. This is a big beer, with lots of flavor and a lot of alcohol. Even one bottle is a bit much. That being said, it has a lot of good flavor, and is quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 22:46:09 | More by DaveBlack

firstlighthiker

Tennessee

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-25-2013 18:56:07 | More by firstlighthiker

vfalstad

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-25-2013 01:14:41 | More by vfalstad

BeerBucks

New York

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-25-2013 00:10:53 | More by BeerBucks

Carpentiere

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +6%

05-24-2013 16:09:04 | More by Carpentiere

bennettj1087

New York

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%

05-24-2013 14:25:54 | More by bennettj1087

WKole81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-24-2013 03:03:40 | More by WKole81

tswater

Colorado

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-23-2013 00:46:36 | More by tswater

dbrelsfo

Georgia

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-22-2013 02:33:29 | More by dbrelsfo

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-22-2013 00:59:05 | More by mikeincharleston

Mcvs1507

Indiana

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-21-2013 23:58:56 | More by Mcvs1507

4Socialanxiety

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

05-21-2013 23:58:15 | More by 4Socialanxiety

dcloeren

Texas

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-21-2013 21:29:47 | More by dcloeren

schwemjw

Ohio

3.89/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: dark copper, brownish with no head to speak of, a thin lacing around the glass.
S: Molassis, sweet malt and a touch of oak. A tart cherry in the finish. good stuff.
T: Dark molassis, sweet caramel, oak in the middle with a sticky buttery brown sugar and cherry finish. A little cinnamon in there as well.
M:Meduim to full bodied, like a syrup at times.
O: Wonderful lingering finish leaves me coming back for more. The oak and molassis really shine! /88

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 20:58:21 | More by schwemjw

tweezer159

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +6%

05-21-2013 03:09:58 | More by tweezer159

ackeeper

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6%

05-21-2013 01:52:53 | More by ackeeper

hiphops24

New York

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-21-2013 01:23:38 | More by hiphops24

Lionhawk

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +6%

05-20-2013 02:58:14 | More by Lionhawk

PlayitAgain

New York

3.25/5  rDev -19%

05-20-2013 02:57:07 | More by PlayitAgain

Sark

Montana

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance- brown orange glow with bits of sediment dancing in the carbonation, a beige-tan head that slowly accumulates, laces down the glass

Smell- magnificent whiff of grainy breads with sweet malt undertone, light hop tinge

Taste- Excellent caramel and toffee malt sweetness with a breaded mid palate and slight hop-oiled finish. Notes of ripe fruits become apparent after a few sips (plums, dates). Slight yeasty aftertaste

Mouthfeel- medium bodied, velvety smooth

Overall- Really, really impressed with this brew. I heard a lot about Founders and this was my first try from the brewery. I can't wait to try others. This old ale is really big on flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 01:15:06 | More by Sark

MLKincer

Ohio

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-20-2013 00:57:24 | More by MLKincer

cb8282

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

05-20-2013 00:51:07 | More by cb8282