Founders Curmudgeon (Old Ale) - Founders Brewing Company

Wiggedout40

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Very surprising. Lots of toffee and brown sugar sweetness both in the nose and taste. Hints of dried fruit as well (raisins and fig). Appearance is deep brown to red in color with a thin head that settles slowly. The alcohol is not overpowering but is present in the flavor. Smooth mouth-feel. Could drink this all day if the ABV was lower.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 03:21:38 | More by Wiggedout40

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tall thin glass at the Cloverleaf Tavern for their Founders event.

Curmudgeon Old Ale pours an opaque amber, with some scattered straight orange highlights. A bit more than a finger of bone colored foam caps the beer. Head retention is alright, and there's just a little lacing left behind. Caramel, oak, and biscuity aromas all leap out of the glass towards my nose, with none dominating above the others. There's a prominent note of very caramelized brown sugar in the flavor profile. Waves of toffee, toasty bread, vanilla, and oak fall in to create a very layered flavor profile. The body is full, though not quite chewy, and well short of cloying. The carbonation is on the muted side, completing the picture for a solid malt forward mouthfeel. Curmudgeon is just another entry in Founders' impressive stable of malt forwars beers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 23:20:46 | More by axeman9182

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at a Founder's Tap Takeover at Ashley's in Westland, MI

Appearance- poured a slightly hazy copper color with a 1.5 finger bubbly head, that dissipated quickly with minimal lacing. Left a few steps on the glass as I drank it.

Smell- Not much in it. Plums, brown sugar, boozy sweetness, mellow hops, a hint of rose. Apples and clove as it warms up.

Taste- Boozy citrus hit, followed by roasty banana notes, a caramely alcohol bite, finishing smooth with a faint acidity.

Mouthfeel- slight fizz, cream ale creaminess, soft finish.

Overall- a tasty brew. Not too complex, big taste, but it vanishes too soon. All considered, it's another fine brew from Founder's.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2012 01:28:22 | More by SaisonRichBiere

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.68/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was an instant favorite. Almost like a cognac - heavy vanilla and alcohol flavor, but there's more depth than that. A bit of oak and cinnamon, for instance, linger somewhere in there. The bar served it in a rocks glass which was disappointing as a snifter would have been perfect for this ale. I got plenty of enjoyment in the smell as it was, but a snifter likely would have made it even better. I really have to look into more old ales because if they are anything like Curmudgeon, it's a style perfectly tailored to my tastes.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2012 21:07:16 | More by TheRealBigC

DocJitsu

California

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pale golden color with an off white head. The beer was poured very carefully, so there was very little head. The aroma was mild with notes of vanilla. Oak barrel and vanilla flavors are accentuated by the silky smooth mouthfeel. This is a very mild, pleasant, drinkable beer despite it's higher ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 18:29:54 | More by DocJitsu

HopHead84

California

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

5/20/2012

On tap at Urge.

A: Dark orange with good clarity. An inch of off-white foam. Sheets of lacing cling to the glass.

S: Rich candied sweetness with big caramel and toffee notes. Orange and grapefruit blend with prune, fig, date, and plum. Lightly earthy with a touch of alcohol. There's a whisper of smoke and maybe a little apple.

T: Rich caramel and toffee with sweet breads and a pervasive candied aspect. Fruit character is reminiscent of date, plum, and prune. There's a low earthy bitterness. I get a little citrus as well. Alcohol is very well hidden.

M: Lower full body with medium carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth, silky, and full with substantial alcohol warming.

Overall: A big, rich, estery Old Ale. Well executed but definitely a sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2012 05:04:15 | More by HopHead84

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

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

2010 keg Pour is a nice orange color with a small white head. The smell is loaded with a nice crisp feeling, but balanced with a lot of sweetness.

The taste really isnt too sweet, but it follows suit. Solid sweet backbone really tried to come forth, but cant really take over. Theres a dryness that takes over, and not in a bad way. The dryness really balances the sweetness and malt backbone.

EDIT

So I had a year old keg at a tap takeover, but Ive got fresh bottles, and I couldnt resist. Pour is like a good barleywine-bright orange with no head. ok now this is the biggest compliment ever. It reminds of Regulator Doppelbock at Bull City Burger and Brewery. Grassy Earthy malt dominates like crazy. Feels crisp, but in an insanely good way. Maybe its the style, but its unique for sure. Very earthy malt, hints of caramel, and a nice bit of scotch barrel. Very smooth caramel and syrupy notes.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 00:28:11 | More by VncentLIFE

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: ?
This review applies to a recent tasting on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Poured a slightly hazy mahogany color with a thin cap of ivory bubbles for a head; not much to speak of in the way of retention or lacing. Aroma of bready malts, caramel, molasses, and dried candied fruits. The taste reflects the aroma, with flavors of sweet malts, toasty, dark sugars, fruitcake, tangy alcohol warmth, with a tinge of citrus and hop bitterness in the finish. Very nice brew, heavy-medium mouthfeel, lots of flavor, easily drinkable, though can be a little on the hot side.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 13:15:06 | More by Rifugium

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Rattle n Hum- poured a hazy reddish brown with a thin, light brown head. No retention, no lacing. It's a heavy one.

Smells very malty, slightly boozy, and to ME a bit like mint and anise.

I definitely tast mint and anise- its strange but good. Lots and lots if malt and a little twinge of booze.

Mouthfeel is similar to gulden draak- too syrupy but it's a little more carbonated. Definitely an interesting one to try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 01:07:56 | More by Hopdaemon39

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.3/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Curmudgeon, full pint at Vintner Wine Market.

Appearance: Filled to the brim, with just under one finger of foamy and persistent head. Never dies! Tonsa lacing, great retention. Color is a slightly transparent chestnut-amber, shiny and engaging.

Smell: Quite a disappointment compared to the looks, with only a slight toasted feel, an odd metallic backup and some spice.

Taste: Follows nose, with a nice bread-and-biscuit feel and a spicy boozy end. Raw honey, a mellow hop touch and crème brulee. Vanilla. Odd but good mixture of sweet and tasty. Oak? None.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, flavor and carbonation. Spicy dry finish. Alright but average.

Overall: Nothing spectacular but quite drinkable. Closer to Dirty Bastard than Backwoods Bastard, sadly, and not up to the expectations.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 00:19:03 | More by DoubleSimcoe

Litterbean

New York

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Mission Dolores (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Dark brown beer with a foamy full head. Smells malty, sweet, alcoholic, and heavy.

Taste is sweet with a hint of bitterness but mostly a biting alcoholic note that really ends warm on the tongue. Makes my head fuzzy right away and fills me with warm cheer. Great brew!

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 21:27:47 | More by Litterbean

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Having not had this beer in well over 1.5 years, I decided to give this another try. Served on-tap at, poured into a 12 ounce goblet.

A: Ruby copper colored body, fairly clear but definitely has a bit of haze. Small off-white head that didn't last too long, nor did it leave any real lace on the glass. To style, it looks alright; nothing spectacular but touches above average.

S: Deep dark, rich caramel malts, brown sugar, molasses and a definite boozy element. Not overwhelmed by any one quality but towards the end the oak is more noticeable. Fresh, matured oak wood creates an additional layer of depth but doesn't take the aromas deep enough, in my opinion.

T: Initially there's nothing on the front of the palate, instead it's consumed by the boozy bite from the swallow. Another sip, along with some palate adjustment, brings forward the dark and rich flavors. Molasses, burnt sugar and dark fruits (fig, raisin) are halfway in. The back end and finish leaves with a strange astringency from the oak. Overly woody and a bit out of place it seems. The alcohol doesn't fuse with the wood notes like other great wood/barrel-aged beers do.

M: Fairly well carbonated and a bit thinner on the palate than I would have recalled or liked. Not watery but not the feel I was hoping for in an Old Ale.

For me, this style is certainly hit or miss and while I don't think this was a complete miss, it wasn't a dead-on hit either. There are some really nice complexities in the beer but also some very tangent flavors. There doesn't seem to be a mastered balance in the flavor profile, but it still does have qualities that make it enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 12:40:31 | More by ShanePB

ummswimmin

New Jersey

2.8/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I had this on tap at a special Founders event at the local bar.

The bar served this in a mini goblet. This beer is the proper tan/brown that you would expect from an old ale. The head was minimal and there was nice alcohol feet.

The foam yielded down to a simple scum on the glass. You could see minimal carbonation on this, which isn't a surprise for the style.

I smell tobacco, caramel, yeast, and some malt. It smelled very rich.

Curmudgeon really fell off with the first taste. There was a ton of alcohol in it. It really wasn't pleasant. You get a little bit of scotch. I had a ton of burn from the alcohol and visibly winced with each sip. The after-taste was all alcohol throughout my mouth.

I really didn't care for this beer. It was surprising since I enjoyed so much Founders in the past.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 00:04:20 | More by ummswimmin

david18

New York

3.98/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a number of drafts of this while it was on tap at my local neighborhood bar. Very good beer and a nice strong alternative to all the double ipas out there.

Color was a dark brown with a red hue. A bit hazy and not very carbonated.

Aroma was of both dark fruit and some candy (caramel, etc).

Flavor is quite balanced and features the dark candy flavors as well as fruit and hops. Very easy to drink for the strength.

Overall a good beer that I look forward to hopefully seeing again soon.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 19:34:06 | More by david18

Guden

Maryland

3.13/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- Looks perfect. Ruby amber with a one inch head that only fades after drinking and leaves some nice lacing.

S- Some light cherry and raisin with a bit of toffee mixed in. Not overly strong but nice and refreshing.

T- Meh. The nose is entirely lost in hops. The hoppiness comes on with piney, herbal and earthy notes with prickly deep bitterness on the end. Not what I look for in an old ale, this one might be better after a few more years. As it warms some cherry character becomes more prominent and a bit of alcohol presence develops but still not hot.

M- Pretty smooth and creamy but the carbonation is a bit high which, when mixed with the hoppiness, comes off with an impression far from what I had hoped for or really enjoyed.

D- I didn't hate this beer but it was far from what I was going for in an Old Ale. The hops really cover up most of the complexity that it might be able to have, I would like to see how it ages but I don't know where to get a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2011 18:26:05 | More by Guden

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew was served on tap at Blind Tiger in New York, NY. It arrived in a tulip glass, and sported a rich red-brown color with very little head or lacing. The beer appeared a bit hazy, but no sediment was noted, while carbonation appeared minimal. The aroma began with big fusel alcohols, and some mild diacetyls. Tropical fruit was also noted along with some mild metallic yeast, and a definite caramel malt presence. As we sipped, the first thing noticed was a dark and very sweet malty character. Buttery diacetyls were also present here, which moved us into the middle where the main components were caramel sweetness and rich grains with a sour twang. Alcohol spiciness also began to creep in here, bringing the flavor to the end, where we were given honeycomb sweetness, sugary hops, and a darker porter/stout malt character. The aftertaste breathed with sweet caramel and grains, and a definite booze presence. The body was medium, and the carbonation was medium to high. There is nice coating to each sip, and a decent slurp is noted, helping to develop the deeper, thicker aspects of the beer. The abv was appropriate and the beer drank as more of a sipper.

Overall, our favorite thing about this beer was that it tasted very much like a dubbel, but with a more complex nature about the aroma. The nose was perfectly balanced to allow for the sweet components to shine through over top of the bitter roasted malt presence. Where this beer lost points was in the over the top sweetness. It is not that the sweetness was so offensive that it made the beer undesirable, however, by the end of the glass it did prove a bit overwhelming.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2011 19:24:25 | More by TheBrewo

fltmedic

Missouri

3.45/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

At the HOPfest in KC 2011-

The dark brown ale pulls with a nice head which calms very quickly and leaves a surprisingly thin collar around the glass.

The aroma is strong and the maple, caramel sweetness is the first to meet the nose. Some malt is present, but it takes a backseat to the other notes.

Sweetness overpowers but a slight maltiness comes through in the fade.

The ale is far more syrupy and thick than others in the style. There is no comparison. It is heavy and thick and warmed by the alcohol at back of the palate.

This is a drink for those who prefer a thick, sweet sipper. Low on the totem pole for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2011 00:45:45 | More by fltmedic

deebo

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

09 from keg

A-Cloudy with some foam that laces and hangs on throughout. Deep orange color.

S-Oak is predominant aroma with this one.

T-Nice flavor but alcohol note is a bit stronger than I'd like.

M-Thick, a substantial drink.

D-Pretty good considering the strength

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 23:46:12 | More by deebo

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a tulip. Amber body with some red tint. Good one finger head that leaves plenty of lacing.

The aroma is pretty faint. A little bready malt and a note of fruit. Not a great set up.

Fortunately the flavors surpass the aroma. Sweet caramel and brown sugar blend with some spicy notes. A little citrus and good biscuity malt finish.

The alcohol is definitely noticeable but doesn't detract. Medium body and appropriate carbonation. Very solid offering and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 17:51:07 | More by FanofHefe

godfathermg57

Florida

2.93/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

On tap at hunahpu's day

A: Deep red with a thin head. Looked like it should have been a good drink...

S: Lots of honey and alcohol. Little hints of fruit

T: Not very good. I definitely taste honey but also wood, alcohol, and viney taste that does not taste good.

M: I guess it's good enough. Not enough to make up for the taste though.

D: If you like the taste then I guess drinkable. For me I had to labor.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 00:46:44 | More by godfathermg57

claspada

New Jersey

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

Aromas are intially light with bready and biscuity maltiness; a slight amount of fusel alcohols. As this warms, however, much more emerges. You can detect some nougat and caramels; almost dead on for a Milky Way candy bar.
The tastes begin with brown sugar and treacle/molasses; quite typical for the style. There is a hop presence, bitterness and flavors, but they are not decernable over the malt flavors. Slightly citrusy and earthy.
Mouthfeel is quite full with adequate carbonation. Overall this is a good example of an under-appreciated style of beer, if you purchase a fresh bottle I would recommend letting it cellar for a little because the alcohol was slightly detectable. Founders knows how to make strong beers well that's for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2011 15:37:42 | More by claspada

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

on tap at RnH in nyc. served in a tulip glass.

Pours a syrupy clouded burnt orange color with darker brown hues. A thinner white head fades quickly, leaving a faint layer of film and hardly any lacing.

Plenty of burnt sugar in the nose with caramel, thick breadyness, and molasses. Softer fruit flavors and lighter hop bitterness with an alcohol flair.

Begins with a bite of hop bitterness, quickly followed by layers of syrupy sweetness. Burnt sugar, caramel, and molasses all swirl together for a fairly rich, sweet base. Thick malts with boozy warmth. Another note of pine hoppiness towards the finish with some more heat.

Full bodied, lighter carbonation, sticky and syrupy on the tongue. Drinks pretty well, although its definitely a bit on the warm and sweet side of things.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2011 06:06:12 | More by xnicknj

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a taster glass at the Haymarket Founders event.

Appearance: A dark cherry color, existing between hazy and transparent. An off-white head fades to a ring but leaves layers of lace.

Smell: Brandy and ethyl alcohol kick, with an earthy covering to the sweet dark fruit and malt aromas.

Taste: Sweet brandy, caramel malt, and some dark fruits. Figs, raisins, and plums. Sweet all the way through. Some light earthy flavors slowly coat the tongue, adding some depth and complexity. This definitely gets better as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, brandy-like, with light to medium carbonation. Sticky, with a fuller than medium body.

Drinkability: A fun and complex beer. Sweet, with lots of bite, so I am not sure I could drink this all night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 18:40:29 | More by KickInTheChalice

jrallen34

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Haymarket into a 4oz tasting glass...Pours a deep amber with orange notes, a decent tope head, looks good...The aroma is pretty good very sweet with lots of caramel, honey, spice and a little oak. Good start...The taste just doesn't translate, this is borderline horrible. Almost all bitter alcohol from start to finish, oak, and honey try to help out but they can't do enough. I had a hard time finishing this. I just can't believe how bad this is.

Avoid for me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 01:03:39 | More by jrallen34

CraftAleRookie

Pennsylvania

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

Served in a Tulip Glass at the Blue Dog, Chalfont- (number 9 in a series of tastings for the 2010 Holiday).

A- Deep amber, with a fluffy bone-colored one finger head. Good lacing, nice retention.

S- very interesting aroma- malt, with a nice sweet edge. Thoughts of hard candy come to mind in a subtle way.

T- Malt, sweet toffee, hint of hops, and a slight alcohol nip. All play well together to present a very balanced strong ale that's not over the top.

M- robust, light fizz, medium to strong body. Good presence.

D- One of the best strong ales I've sampled- will likely get better over time, but in a young form it's not "in your face" strong and very repeatable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 15:26:25 | More by CraftAleRookie