Founders Curmudgeon (Old Ale) - Founders Brewing Company

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

Goosehunter75

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a brilliant coper with 1 finger tan colored head that is slow to form but really hangs around. There is a slight haze to the beer

S - Sweet malts, hints of coffee, cherry, toffee, and oak. Not as much aroma as I had anticipated, but a nice smelling beer nontheless.

T - The taste doesnt disappoint! A very malty beer. Lots of oak as well. Similar to the aroma, there are hints of coffee and cherry mixed throughout. Wonderfully tasty and complex

M - Extremely nice. Very thick beer but it goes down very smooth. Hints of alcohol leave the mouth feeling warm and dry.

O - Very impressive beer. Worlds of flavor in this beer that all seem to blend together perfectly. A good strong beer at 9.8 ABV but it manages to go down very smoothly leaving just a slight hint of alcohol behind.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 12:51:03 | More by Goosehunter75

RWLawman

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - Medium brown/copper in color with a moderate off-white head, and practically zero head lacing left behind.

S - Molasses, malt, and oak.

T - Follows the nose, with a big oak punch in the beginning, followed by sweet malt and molasses. There was the slightest alcohol warming on the back, and a touch of bitterness as well.

M - Medium mouth feel, slightly sticky, with low-to-moderate carbonation.

O - Delicious experience. Highly recommended. I thought this beer reminded me more of something that Dogfish Head would put out, rather than Founder's. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 02:33:04 | More by RWLawman

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a deep murky amber color. Maybe a fingers worth of white foam which quickly dissipates to a thin film. Lots of sediment including a thick glob which just floats on top.

S - the nose is rich and focused. The sweet aromas of molasses and maple syrup are dominate. There are also notes of buttery toast/french toast and cherry puree.

T - toasty bread, caramel, and toffee notes up front. Sweet cherry flavors and hint of cinnamon spice in the center. Just a hint of alcohol heat and peppery spice on the backend which lingers a bit after the finish.

M - buttery texture. Full bodied. Medium carbonation with full round bubbles.

O - good dessert beer. A bit much on its own but i suspect it would be fantastic with a fruit based desert.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 18:19:09 | More by Teleweizen2

larryi86

Delaware

4.21/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle, 4/19/2013, poured into a snifter

A- A hazy ruby red with a small off-white head.

S- Toffee, caramel, molasses, oak, some alcohol, touch of earthiness.

T- Definitely oaky, molasses, toffee, caramel, some earthy bitterness in the finish, some alcohol that works very well with the taste, a faint cherry like fruitiness.

M- Smooth, full body, high carbonation.

O- My girlfriend just picked up a case of this for me and it is good fresh, but I can't wait to see how this ages!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 22:54:19 | More by larryi86

shand

Florida

4.04/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Held onto this bad boy for a little too long - we're getting Founders next month here in Florida and this guy will be a bit less special. Curmudgeon pours a hazy red-orange with tons of sediment. It has a rather attractive glow though. The aroma is muted, presenting sweet toffee, oak, and honey. The taste hits with an intense sweet oak right away, along with a big sweet malt and honey presence. Sweet is the name of the game here. Surprisingly for all the sweet flavors, the aftertaste is very clean. The mouthfeel is relatively light, with a high level of carbonation for the style. The drinkability is good - probably better if you can down sweet beers quickly. Overall, Curmudgeon is a good example of a style that's never been my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 03:40:06 | More by shand

BaronVonBeauregard

Georgia

3.96/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Reddish brown; quick head. Nose is strong, caramel roasted malt, rich. Taste is on target, big malts, and sweetness. I like it. Has a barley wine taste. Lots of sediment in this bottle. It does hide the 9.8 % abv very well; not a bad aftertaste either. Solid beer, I'd drink this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 19:59:00 | More by BaronVonBeauregard

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.48/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bottle poured into a snifter, bottled on 4/26/2012

Appearance - dark ruby/mahogany color with some tan head

Smell - maple, oak, bourbon, molasses

Taste - molasses, bourbon, oak, booze is apparent

Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, bitter upfront, astringent in the finish, spicy, woodsy finish on this

Overall - This beer falls somewhere in the middle for the style, not quite up to the standard, which to me is HOTD ADAM. Fans of the style will likely enjoy this.

Price Point - $4.75- 12 oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:44:09 | More by keithmurray

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 4/6/2012. Pours fairly cloudy red-orange color with a small dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Light spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, caramel, toast, toffee, molasses, oak, biscuit, nuttiness, and toasted earthiness. Incredible aromas with great complexity and balance of malt notes with light-moderate oak character that does not overwhelm. Taste of raisin, caramel, toast, toffee, molasses, biscuit, nuttiness, oak, light chocolate, light clove, floral, and toasted earthiness. Fair amount of earthy bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of raisin, toffee, biscuit, molasses, oak, nuttiness, light chocolate, and light earthy spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance and complexity of malt notes with moderate oak presence; with a fair amount of hop balance and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a moderately creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an incredible old ale! Awesome complexity and balance of malt flavor with moderate oak presence; and very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 03:54:39 | More by superspak

wyatt13

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 vintage. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my Half Acre snifter.

A - Pours a syrupy reddish-brown, with a half-finger head of off-white foam. The bubbles quickly fizzle down to a thin ring around the outside of the glass.

S - A good hit of oak character right at the front of the nose, with a nice sweetness of brown sugar and caramel to supplement. The molasses comes through a bit, although I'm not sure that I would be able to identify it as such if it didn't say so on the bottle.

T - Huge oak presence right away, but then the honeyed sweetness steps up and really brings the whole brew into a nice balance. There is a bit of lingering heat that has a nice warming aspect for several seconds after the sip.

M - Medium-full mouthfeel, with more carbonation than was evident in the appearance.

O - A very nice brew, that certainly lives up to the description of an "old ale brewed with molasses and oak aged." The old ale characteristics, molasses flavors and oak presence are all there in a nice harmonized way. I'd be interested to see how this develops with age.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 19:21:31 | More by wyatt13

richj1970

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into snifter glass.

A: Beautiful honey brown with a nice red tone. Scant one finger tan head that dissipated almost immediately. Some very minimal lacing.

S: Sweet malts mixed with toffe and caramel. Some faint oak.

T: Much bigger than the nose. Nice sweetness with malt, caramel, toffee. Some wood coming through and a bit of spiciness. Alcohol is very well hidden.

M: Nice medium body with about the right level of carbonation.

O: Really nice brew. Not overly sweet or assertive, but very enjoyable to drink. I find myself enjoying all of the Founder's offerings, and this one is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 00:26:14 | More by richj1970

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a beautiful deep amber color with ruby hues. Slightly hazy. 1 Finger light tan head that fades to a thin layer of foam. Some lacing but not very sticky. Loved the color but would need to see a better head and lacing to get a higher score. Molases, grain and caramel in the nose. Lots of malty aromas. Molases and caramel also on the palette. Sweetness from the malt up front, slight bitterness, and some what dry finish. Can taste the oak barrel aging with a woody flavor. Medium body feels velvety in the mouth. My first brew from Founders did not disapoint.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:13:09 | More by Burkbom23

timc100

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

A: Crystal clear, very minimal beige head that leaves a very fine lacing. Very beautiful ruby amber color

S: Most literally smells 'old'. Brings to mind a kind of musty attic, doesn't smell as such merely brings the image to mind. All malt and some oak. Rustic wood and some vanilla, and the least-sweet caramel.

T: A lot bigger than the aroma prepares you for. Wood, caramel, and a decent amount of cocoa powder. Not very sweet at all aside from a bit of vanilla creaminess and the finish. Very smooth and well rounded and balanced.

P: Very smooth, medium-full bodied. Very soft carbonation - feels 'right'.

O: Really nice beer, but not a style I am drawn to and thus, not overly impressive. The molasses the oak addition helped make the beer fuller, at least I imagine it did. I can see a bourbon barrel doing wonders for this.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 21:09:24 | More by timc100

kingmaker

Louisiana

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Magohany through and through with a khaki head which dissipates to a thin crown around the glass with some remaining to cover the exposed beer as a thin sheen

S: WOW. This is what I expect of an old ale. Sweet malts, hops, some caramel, the alcohol is completely absent. There's oak but honestly I'd probably miss it in between the malt and hop if I didn't know oak's intricacies.

T: The malt overtakes the hops by far. Rich malts followed by the oak and quickly behind that is the molasses, giving almost a toffee flavor. Again, no alcohol, even subtlety.

M: Medium, bordering on full with good carbonation. Very smooth and lingers on the tongue well after its gone.

O: I'm going to have to hide the other 3 bottles before I drink them warm. This was a great beer, highly complex with the addition of the oak. I'm disappointed that I let this one slip into the fold when I was the the NYC craft beerfest a couple weeks ago and instead focused solely on the KBS so much so that the server knew my name. This beer is an understated powerhouse.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 04:59:37 | More by kingmaker

imscotty

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This was a 2012 vintage bottle.

A: A very pretty deep amber color. Very little white head that dies quickly, but has a fair amount of lacing that lasts a while.

S: light malt, hops, caramel

T: Initial taste is sweet caramel malt and then some honey flavors and slight oak. The finish is gently bitter and lasts a while with a little alcohol warmth in the throat. The flavors get bolder as the beer warms.

M: Not much body, fair amount of carbonation.

O: A tasty brew but not a lot of complexity here.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 22:45:33 | More by imscotty

flyers1980

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Single 12-ounce bottle bought from Capone's in Norristown, PA. Darkish, caramel, syrupy appearance, almost like a scotch ale married a red ale. Off-white, khaki head. Very malty and I was getting a very pungent aroma of, shall I say, an illegal substance? It smelled like I was at a Who concert. Dark, molasses, syrupy taste. A malt bomb with a boozy backbone. Hint of tobacco taste. Heavy and captures the "old, foggy, pier" feeling.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 00:17:44 | More by flyers1980

brewcifix

Connecticut

3.03/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance-

Curmudgeon pours a beautiful true amber. Most people say "amber" when they, in fact, should say "red". The color of this brew is wonderful, and ideal for an ale, in my humble opinion. Looking at this hue on a color wheel would immediately lead my mind to thoughts of ales. Although clear, I do detect very slight haziness. This appearance would get a passing grade-albeit its anemic beige head. It dissipates soon after the pour and demonstrates no lacing whatsoever. And... OH, how I LOVE lacing!

Smell-

The nose is obnoxiously sweet (this is not a negative for me), exhibiting honey, sweet sugar and malts. Unfortunately, the nose is very much like the head- leaving much to be desired.

Taste-

This incarnation is abundantly sweet up front, showcasing sugar with a touch of molasses, honey, and vanilla (almost "cream soda" if you focus it on the back of your tongue). It finishes sweet and clean with almost imperceptible grassy hops and vertually no aftertaste. I want aftertaste.

Mouthfeel-

moderate weight on the tongue, with nice medium-high carbonation

Overall-

I'm not overly impressed with this ale. However, it is VERY drinkable. Founder's has somehow managed to hide 9.8% ABV without a trace. This beer is not for the "hoppy connoisseur". You need a sweet appreciative palate to drink this. I have that. This is a great warm weather brew that distinguishes itself from the "refreshing" crowd that usually features citris notes. I want to age a few bottles, and see what I get. If I found this stuff on tap one day, I'd be forced to have at least one.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 22:04:19 | More by brewcifix

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Doing a side by side of an 06 and a 12. Official rating is a rough average, separate rating noted below.

A -
2006:
Mahogany (rich mahogany, like the smell of my apartment) in color. No head.

2012:
Caramel brown. Pours about a 1 inch of light brown head. Retains a crown.

S-
2006:
Assertive hit of caramel and vanilla, some honey, some other almost florals notes that I can't quite put words to.

2012:
Definitely less up front than the 06. Almost disappointing actually. Maybe some vanilla? Some malt, not a whole lot else.

T-
2006:
Hmmm... Sweet black tea, tropical fruit in the back ground, some notes of what I assume to be oxidation. Really rich at first but then fleeting on the back end with so,e dryness.

2012:
Some thin dark fruit, pretty quick and simple, clean finish with really no bitterness anywhere. Mineral note on the back end.

M-
2006:
Very light carbonation, light close to medium thickness.

2012:
Higher side of medium carb. Thin.

O-

The 2006 shines head and shoulders above the 2012. If you didn't know it, you wouldn't think they were the same beer. The 06 is just far prettier, better smelling, more complex. Neither of the, are my favorite beers, but the moral here is easy, AGE THIS BEER.

2006:
A- 4.25 / S- 4.5 / T- 4.25 / M- 4 / O- 4.25
2012:
A- 3.75 / S- 3.5 / T- 3.5 / M- 3.5 / O- 3.5

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:20:14 | More by Beerandboards

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.79/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Super hazy copper/orange color with some floating bits debris. Very thin off-white head.

Aroma: Hoppy with a distinct honey-like aroma. Hops contribute a piney, near-grapefruit like character and there is a smoothness to the aroma that suggests the oak-aging.

Taste: Starts smooth with a soft caramel flavor from the malt. The bitterness begins to creep in by the second half and peaks at a moderate bitterness on the finish. The hop flavor is not well defined because the aging process has forgone most of the citrus or truly piney flavors that seem to fade the quickest. What's left is a slightly earthy flavor that is more bitterness than anything else which helps to balance out what would otherwise be a very sweet beer. The 9.8% ABV is slightly detectable during the finish but doesn't present itself at any time in the taste. The yeast seems to have contributed hints of raisin and plum. Those flavors develop as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Between medium and full in body. Mellow carbonation and average drinkability.

Final Thoughts: I couldn't detect any molasses in the flavor, but Curmudgeon Old Ale is pretty much as advertised. If you like Old Ales and Barleywines but don't want the big bitterness that goes along with them then I'd recommend it. The oak-aging has really smoothed out the hops and given an interesting mix of flavors. Would I drink it again? Unlikely, too many other beers to try at this point.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 03:00:57 | More by JamesMN

BarrelAgedBrian

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter.

A: Poured an amber/brown color with minimal head.

S: The malt comes right through in the nose, followed by oak and molasses. Subtle caramel?

T: Excellent notes of molasses and oak. Malt comes through in the beginning, with some nice bitterness from the hops towards the end.

M: Medium body, not a whole lot of carbonation.

O: While I'm not as well-versed in old ales, this one is a particularly drinkable one with wonderful flavors of molasses and oak.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:57:55 | More by BarrelAgedBrian

Star80

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours out a dark ruby red with minimal head into a snifter.

S - Smell is of candied fruits, some toffee, vanilla, and some oak.

T - Taste is rich malts, oak, vanilla, toffee and some vague puckering from the hops.

M - Mouthfeel is dense, yet smooth.

O - Overall a nice old ale with an added oak treatment that just adds the icing on the cake as far as complexity goes and it just gets better as it warms in the glass. A perfect lingering winter/spring evening sipper.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:52:16 | More by Star80

Justin_Neff

Ohio

4.31/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2013 Bottle (Denotes brewed with molasses and aged in Oak, where other years did not say this on the bottle) Poured from a bottle into a 50W tulip glass.

A: Pours a deep copper color, that almost appears amber when held to the light. At onset there appears to be very little head and then a billowing, off-white head rushes up quickly and clings to the side of the glass, eventually leaving a nice frothy, latte-like rim around the top.

S: Strong caramel wofts. Butterscotch, malts, vanilla, some oakiness, and molasses shines well. The smell is extremely complex.

T: Boozy. The caramel and molasses character are very present. Some dark fruit sweetness, balanced with some vanilla. Strong malt character and heavy oakiness to also balance out the sweetness.

M: Medium-Full body, but definitely closer to the full body. Creamy. Boozy, but smooth. Dangerous.

O: This one tastes a little different with every drink. Great complexity, but not all over the place. The balance of sweet, but not being overly sweet with some bitterness and the oak character was done really well. Glad I have a couple to age as well - I'm interested to see what happens with some age.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 22:56:42 | More by Justin_Neff

KFBR392

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A light brown color with a very rich glow. No head even on a heavy pour. Below average carbonation throughout but that is to be expected.

Smell: Very rich malt. Heavy syrup and lots of molasses. Oak and touches of vanilla.

Taste: The front is a smooth maple syrup taste. Can definitely feel the carbonation on the front end. Medium to a thin body for what I expected out of an Old ale. The aftertaste is such a deep bourbon alcohol smooth burn. Not offensive just sticks around for a very long time. Overall just lacking that depth that I look for.

Mouthfeel: Heavy, but seems to just be off a bit.

Overall: In every way a solid brew. No glaring weaknesses. One of the first brews I had when I was starting up and still impresses me. I also had the opportunity to enjoy of growler of this and that was an eventful night. A bit pricey overall but more then worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 04:25:56 | More by KFBR392

McNealc31

Ohio

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

Pours a hazy orange that's just on this side of brown. Virtually no head. Oak, raisins, and must in the aroma. The flavor is mostly oak and molasses. Bit of punch from the 9.8% ABV. A touch of bitterness from the hops at the end. It's a sipper, but something different comes out with every sip, including maple syrup.

Spend a lot of time enjoying this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 23:57:23 | More by McNealc31

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.94/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottled 01/18/13

A: Pours a slightly hazy mahogany color with 1/2 an inch of head that quickly dies down to nothing

S: Molasses, oak, malts, and a hint of vanilla

T: Follows the nose. Very malty with huge notes of molasses. Also get a light oakiness and some vanilla

M: Medium-full bodied with low-moderate carbonation

O: A solid oak-aged old ale. Not overwhelming with the oak, but it is nicely imparted. Not overly complex, but a true malt bomb and a solid brew

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:52:03 | More by BEERMILER12