Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

dar482

New York

4.69/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

The beer pours out in this dark murky brown with a small tan head. Deep, deep amber in the light.

Sweet barleywine aroma, vanilla, caramel, oak, smokey, dark brown sugar. Just a lovely deep and sweet aroma.

The flavor is just fantastic. There is deep vanilla, caramel, dark brown sugar, and toffee. There’s also a bourbon soaked raisin flavor. Having had the Dirty Bastard, this turns up the beer to a different level. It rounds out the beer, but also gives it some rich intense qualities. The mouthfeel is actually medium and not too full, which makes it quite drinkable despite the high ABV.

The finish is actually pretty easy and sweet, but the alcohol presence is there. It’s almost like a barrel aged barleywine, but without as just sweetness and fruit qualities.

Just an awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:40:57 | More by dar482

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle dated 10/5/2012, poured into a Bell's snifter and quaffed today, 5/4/2013.

Aroma: I love this. So much going on here- thick toffee, sweet candy, molasses, bourbon, vanilla and oak. I usually compare my BBL scotch ales to the CCB BA Big Sound- the one that got me started on bourbon barrel beers. And this is just as good! Full thick nose that definitely gets my taste buds roaring. (5)

Colour: Pours an opaque dark cola brown, though a bit more reddish than stouts- as you'd expect from a scotch ale. Comes with a <1cm tan head that disappears into a thin collar. There isn't a ton of lacing left. Fairly appetizing, but nothing too special in terms of how it looks. (3.5)

Flavour: Niiice. Lots of sweet molasses, vanilla and oak up front. There's a big toffee presence throughout the entire sip that keeps it sweet and mellow... and follows through at the end with some vanilla and oak complementing it- the molassy sweetness has died off then, but that's replaced by some nice smoky bourbon! Thoroughly enjoyable sweetness that definitely brings the bourbon smoke and flavour. I'd like a little more bourbon, but I'm really just nitpicking here. (4.5)

Mouthfeel: This is also awesome. Thicker medium bodied beer with solid carbonation that delivers a smooth finish that is both drying and refreshing. The body itself is rather resinous and syrupy, coating my palate in the malt sweetness and singing it with the bourbon at the same time. It's simply drinking excellently at 6 months. I'd like a little more carbonationi but then again it is 6 months old and I'm nitpicking. (4.5)

Overall: Excellent. This beer has taken the last 6 months well. Smooth, sweet and brings bourbon heat still. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be picking up a lot of the 2013 vintage and aging some more of it. It's almost up there with Cigar City's BA Big Sound- it's not as complex but its certainly mellow despite packing a good bourbon bite. (4)

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 01:41:04 | More by Stevedore

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.34/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Rutager for a long time want.

Deep ruby red wityh a bit of brown, ring of eggshell head with little lace. Smell is a nice mix of bourbon, oak and caramel, vanilla with over ripe fruit and toffee, really well intergrated nose. Taste is malty with lots of oak and vanilla flavours, bourbon, caramel and toffee, mildly sweet, oaky finish, bourbon and fruit aftertaste. Lightly carbonated, medium full body. Great stuff here, really drinkable despie high ABV, something I will be searching out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 20:39:42 | More by peensteen

jpro

South Carolina

4.23/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle from a 4-pack I picked up a few months ago (bottled on 10-5-12). Poured into a mini schooner.

A: Pours a deep mahogany, with some brighter, red highlights on the edges; about a pinky's worth of almond hued head tops the brew and dies down to nothing fast, leaving no lace - not really a surprise for the style and abv.

S: Bourbon notes are very prevalent and definitely in the forefront; vanilla; oak. I had one of these right after I bought it, and it seemed to be much heavier, bourbon-wise. The aroma seems to be subdued compared to that first one, but is still there, for sure.

T: Nice and oaky; sweet, buttery bourbon; peaty, caramel-toffee malts; some brown sugar notes, as well. A touch of alchohol on the end, but no indication that this is 10%+ beer.

M: Full bodied; low to moderate carbonation; has quite a dense feel; hearty; just the slightest indication of alcohol heat at the finish.

O: I've found that while I'm not the biggest fan of Scotch Ales, I really like barrel-aged versions - mainly because the dry, oakiness of the barrel cuts the malt sweetness. For the huge abv, this is a great bourbon barrel Scotch Ale - the bourbon aroma and flavor is there, but not so huge as to completely take over. Its a great sipper, and the nuances of the barrel, along with the base beer make it enjoyable, especially as you give it time to warm.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 02:34:10 | More by jpro

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.21/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

355ml bottle poured into wine glass 27/4/13 cheers Rutager for the bottle

A clear brownish ruby when held to the light with some tiny bubbles moving suspended particles around, thumbs width of tan foam lasts for a couple sips and leaves some random lace where it existed

S a fair amount of barrel with vanilla, wood and a little smoky bourbon, loads of caramel with some fruity, nutty notes I can't quite place, hazelnut and plum? smells quite nice whatever it is, a little teriakyi as it warmed

T even more wood and a little booze I wasn't smelling, not too far from the nose but with a little heat that doesn't do much harm

M medium- full, enough bubbles to give it some life and some tannin from the barrel along with a little heat, woody, nutty, caramel on the finish

O solid beer without doubt, could use a little age but the heats a minor complaint, I'm curious how long this sits in a barrel as its rather strong

another winner from Founders and I don't think I've had a bad beer from them yet or even an average beer for that matter.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 17:39:15 | More by wordemupg

rboinski

California

3.63/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle poured into a FW Teku

Appearance: This beer pours a brown reddish color, it reminds me of bourbon that has been sitting in a barn for decades that someone just happened to find.

Aroma: Smells like sweet bourbon. Very bourbon forward to me.

Taste: This beer is very sweet as is expected for the style, and the bourbon is extremely present. I was expecting a more laid back presentation, and I am not sure I like what I am getting.

Mouthfeel: Much thinner than expected. Would appreciate a more creamy mouthfeel. This strength of alcohol and bourbon notes in combination with the mouthfeel leave more the be desired.

Overall: Not the best beer. I know some people love this, but I just couldn't get into it.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 16:19:29 | More by rboinski

MCain04

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into a FFF Teku

A: Deep red/amber color. Light tan head of 1 finger which dissipates quicky, some lacing.

S: Bourbon is present but not too forward. Some sweet malts are present.

T: Tastes like what it is: a scotch ale aged in barrels with bourbon. Barrel character really shines through and saves it from being Dirty Bastard + bourbon. Vanilla and oak are nice, with a smoothness from the barrel. Bourbon again not heavy but present on the back end. Not too much heat.

M: Smooth, light-to-medium body, moderate-medium carbonation, thin but not bad.

O: A good beer, certainly complemented by the barrel-aging, and very drinkable. Not sure it's worth the trouble to get, but enjoyed. Good, maybe excellent, but not world class.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:14:04 | More by MCain04

BrianScottK

New York

4.3/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

It was about a month ago I tried this, so I can't be too explicit, but it certainly left an impression. Caramel and toffee flavors without "unnecessary" over-sweetness of similar brews of this ilk. Smooth and creamy with a nice, tan head.

I definitely want to try this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 01:32:04 | More by BrianScottK

kevanb

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a Founders' snifter.

It pours a really nice burgundy color, nice deep brown hues with subtle reds. A bone colored head rises about a finger high but recedes immediately, even with an agressive pour leaving a thin layer of film along the edges and top of the beer. Really amazing nose, lots of thick oak bourbon notes, strong toffees, molasses and caramel aromas come out too with a fine amount of malt, but the bourbon, wood and toffee scents are very dominent. The flavors are superb, rich toffee and bourbon flavors burst forward, a hint of vanilla and molasses make their way but it has a nice subtle grain finish characteristic of the Scottish Ale base. It’s really rich and creamy in the mouth, barely any noticeable carbonation, exceptionally smooth a bit of alcohol burn at the back end.

Verdict: A massive improvement over dirty bastard and one of the better bourbon treated Scottish Ales on the market. Nice complexity, good balance and great barrel character while remaining very quaffable. An excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:51:43 | More by kevanb

socon67

New York

4.11/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark amber color with a creamy foam. Lacing is nice, and with solid foam retention.

S - Scents of candied cherries, oak, and caramel.

T - Sweet flavor of cherries and some notes of vanilla & butterscotch.There is a warming boozy feel in the finish.

M - Good balance for the complexity of this. A fairly heavy beer, and the potency makes this a beer that would be hard ot pair with food.

O - A great example of this style, and one of the sweeter scotch ales out there. Worth trying like many of the Founders offerings.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 11:56:42 | More by socon67

richj1970

Alabama

4.51/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into snifter

A: Deep rich brown with small one finger off white head that dissipated quickly. Some minimal lacing but not much.

S: Nose of this one is incredible. Lots of cherry, vanilla, sweet caramel, warm bread, and bourbon. Makes me want to guzzle it down.

T: Lots of flavor with bourbon and vanilla up front. Some cherry, sweet butterscotch, caramels. Some alcohol heat coming up in the back.

M: Full bodied with minimal carbonation. A bit sticky sweet, but pleasant to drink.

O: Very nice brew. I'm going to have to savor the four pack I managed to pick up and go in search of more.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 23:07:55 | More by richj1970

BaltimoreBeerLover

Maryland

4.76/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Haven't had this in a month or two and I don't know when I'll get my hands on this again but this is hands down my favorite beer.

Imagine drinking great bourbon with a lower alcohol percentage plus very pronounced flavors of vanilla and oak.

Mind blowing. One of two beers next to Breakfast Stout that made me say to myself, "Holy shit". 5/5

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 04:06:54 | More by BaltimoreBeerLover

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2012 bottle via IP trade. Poured into Snifter.

A: Pours a nice coke like ruby brown color. Thin one finger head that fades quickly.

S: Oak is very pronounced, vanilla, and red creme soda like aroma. Some slight hint of dark cherries on the nose as well.

T: Big bourbon up front, followed by creamy vanilla sweetness. Some brown sugar in there as well. Wow, just a fantastic tasting beer.

M: Rich full bodied with a very slight alcohol warming. Sweet sticky bourbon coats the mouth.

O: What a fantastic brew. I dont think I've had a BA scotch ale before but I shall be seeking out others.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:57:50 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottled 10/2012, served in a weizen glass thanks to boilerfood for this one.

Deep mahagony with some light penetrating and a 1.5 finger soapy khaki head with moderate retention and moderate lacing.

Heavenly aroma, one of my favorites, great caramel and molasses notes flood the nostrils. Tastes sweet caramel at the tip of the palate and complex malts evolve on the middle while drier oaky, tannic woody flavors finish the experience.

A fantastic beer, maybe the best scotch ale I have had so far. This is number 97/100 of my quest to complete the BA hall of fame. Three more to go!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 15:38:38 | More by williamjbauer

Dagger541

Indiana

4.84/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

This beer was first tried by a friend and I on a chilly Sunday afternoon in-between two music event that we were attending. It was an excellent choice all around. It has and great color and smell and was served in a sniffer glass. It is a sipping beer that will warm you right up. If you think of a scotch ale aged in a bourbon barrel you will have an idea about what this beer tastes like. If you enjoy their Dirty Bastard and you are a fan of whiskey this is a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2013 16:08:30 | More by Dagger541

Jacurdy60

Alabama

2.39/5  rDev -44.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

A-Deep ruby read with a bubbly head. Poor retention and little to no lacing at all.

S-Srong, potent scotch whisky and vanilla

T-Followed the nose, mostly. Some banana was in there as well

MF-Too carbonated and crisp, I was expecting something smoother

O-I did not enjoy this beer at all. It might be because I dislike liquor and it strongly resembled a scotch whisky. I guess this kind of beer is not my style, and now I definitely know so.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:53:59 | More by Jacurdy60

drrone

Arizona

4.83/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a bottle on 3/1/13. Bottle Dated 10/13/11.

A - Gorgeous hazy dark amber/brown color. Very little head and minimal lacing. It had some floating particles in it.

S - Wonderful nose to it. Bourbon, vanilla, and I think caramel/butterscotch. It makes my mouth water. Fantastic.

T - The taste is amazing. It follows the nose very well with an explosion of bourbon, vanilla, caramel/butterscotch, with an oak and malt finish. Nice balanced booziness to it.

M - Smooth, very easy to drink.

O - I love this beer. I only wish I could have found more of it. Founders did a wonderful job.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 21:52:05 | More by drrone

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.31/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pour from the bottle

Beautiful ruby mahogany with thin off white head with tiny bubbles.

Nose is massive, full of scotch, boubon and molasses.

Taste is dominated by the bourbon, but not overly boozy. Nice amount of sweetness, with some brown sugar flavors mixed in. Subtle smokiness.

Feel is full and robust, mouth watering.

Great scotch ale. Perhaps one of the best. Nice blend of flavor without the overwhelming alcohol flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 01:08:25 | More by dheacck11

Jonada

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottled on 10/05/2012. Served in a snifter.

Appearance: Pours a deep dark red color with hints of brown. No head whatsoever save for a very thin collar that settles around the edges of the glass. Lots of sediment in the glass is visible when held up to the light.

Smell: Dark fruit, toffee, sweet bourbon, vanilla, maple.

Taste: Bourbon, caramel, vanilla, oak, dried raisins and dates.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with low carbonation. Gentle alcohol warmth in the chest after the finish.

Overall: Best scotch ale/wee heavy I've had to date. If you're a fan of the style, or bourbon barrel aged beers, it's definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 06:23:04 | More by Jonada

banglin

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a very small head. The head that did form is nice white. Dark amber in color and cloudy

S: Fruity aroma, with banana notes. Can smell some of the alcohol in this high alcohol beer.

T: Very good taste, again with banana notes.

M: Despite the small amount of head, the carbonation is spot on in the mouth. Smooth. After a few swallows my chest begins to burn.

O: Overall a good beer with an excellent flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 01:49:25 | More by banglin

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a deep hazy amber brownish with about a 1/8th of a finger of head.... so not much.

Smell is oak, bourbon, butterscotch, toffee

taste is caramel, oak, bourbon, vanilla, toffee, butterscotch with a slight and I mean slight hop bite near the end.

mouthfeel is medium full and coating with a light carbonation....

Well I would say this one flys under the radar compared to other founders barrel beers... But after this year I do not know that I can say that anymore!

A great beer, barrels take the already world class scotch ale to the next level!

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 03:49:21 | More by nickapalooza86

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The much anticipated first tasting for me of "Backwoods Bastard"...

The smell was absolutely incredible. The taste unfortunately was not as great as I hoped.

I really like "Dirty Bastard"; Founder's regular Scotch Ale. Assuming this is just the regular scotch ale aged in bourbon barrels, the bourbon taste was really good but overpowered the scotch ale taste I was hoping to get.

If I lined this up against most beers, it would win most head to head competitions. When I compare it to the "cream of the crop" beers I have had though, it didn't quite rise to the occasion.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 04:57:32 | More by mjpolzin

rawfish

California

4.44/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle. Pours a rusty brown, opaque and dense with bobbing sediment and yeast. Barely any head let the bubbles that lick the glass manage to spill over some speckles of lacing.

Terrific blend of molasses, brown sugar, caramel in the base with the bourbon imparting a huge toasty oak, vanilla and almond perfume. Underlying dark fruit, piney hops and earthy peat.

Bourbon character is dominant and punchy with oak, whiskey, vanilla and a hit of booze before dialing back and letting the sweet scotch malt of toffee and molassess through. Tail end gets a bit more complex with raisins, a touch of tobacco, and a minty and slightly drying hop finish.

Creamy mouthfeel, medium/heavy bodied and balanced alcohol. A sipper to be sure.

Bourbon bombshell, the wee heavy malt style is really what is needed here to provide balance and earthy complexity to the oak and bourbon. A delight to try.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 04:27:56 | More by rawfish

mhksuccess

California

4.53/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

poured from 12oz bottle into stone old guardian glass
at first very nice color and little head
it smells extremely sweet but
the taste is more of slight boozy with a back end of sweetness
very smooth and enjoyable to drink
made me wonder why i didnt buy more
it is very easy to drink
and has the characterisitics which you want to see in this style
what a great brew
would definite get more if had the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 20:53:39 | More by mhksuccess

csrbv

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a Maredsous Tulip Glass.

Appearance: rich red-brown hue with plenty of haze. Very little frothy tan foam with a bit of an amber cast. Quite good.

Smell: very sweet aroma, to the point of a malt molasses, perhaps. Along with that is a good woody aroma from the barrel, contributing vanilla and almond-like character. Very good, although massively sweet.

Taste: sweet malt, vanilla, alcohol, more sweetness, an oak woodiness, and finally a bit of bitterness at the end. The alcohol lends a bit of dark fruit character, cherry and plum. I like a lot of the flavors here. Good, but doesn't taste quite as good as it smells.

Mouthfeel: huge body, great carbonation, silky smooth creamy wonderful texture. The body on this thing is just massive, as the sweetness ought to indicate. Wonderful.

Overall: I know this is supposed to be a strong beer, but it is so smooth, quite a good beer!

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 17:18:30 | More by csrbv