Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy walnut brown with a thin tan head, packed densely with carbonation but patiently subsiding to leave little lacing behind.

Sweet malt aroma is second to the aggressive bourbon/wood notes with hints of vanilla and caramel as well as pepper and similar spices.

The palate is similar to the nose, more spice, significant bourbon flavors, faint sweet malt, and just a touch of earthy hops.

I guess the body of this beer would be considered medium, but the palate is certainly aggressive. Medium to little carbonation, and as smooth as a brew of this assertiveness can be.

This beer is antagonistic for lack of a better word. Certainly worth a try, it stands out among some of the barrel-aged brews I have enjoyed recently. The "bastard" on the label pretty much summarizes the beer. If you are a scotch/bourbon/whiskey, etc. drinker, you will enjoy the intricacies of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 03:38:09 | More by CHADMC3

GinsuDave

Michigan

5/5  rDev +15.7%

05-18-2013 01:13:04 | More by GinsuDave

BradSillars

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-18-2013 01:12:15 | More by BradSillars

darvinlikemarvin

Iowa

4.75/5  rDev +10%

05-17-2013 19:23:56 | More by darvinlikemarvin

eliz108

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-17-2013 14:49:02 | More by eliz108

dan027

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-17-2013 02:51:12 | More by dan027

huddyball

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 23:30:52 | More by huddyball

carlosega

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-16-2013 20:24:43 | More by carlosega

michaeljstraub

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 19:58:18 | More by michaeljstraub

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-16-2013 18:32:08 | More by Westuh

Pecan

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 18:07:08 | More by Pecan

cmdmzmjm

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-16-2013 02:14:43 | More by cmdmzmjm

wingedeel

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-15-2013 21:36:54 | More by wingedeel

gfap61

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +10%

05-15-2013 20:02:50 | More by gfap61

Matt73

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-15-2013 17:45:32 | More by Matt73

clay23

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-15-2013 02:29:15 | More by clay23

Ethan-UF

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-14-2013 18:50:37 | More by Ethan-UF

SonOfOdin

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-14-2013 18:42:02 | More by SonOfOdin

valkyre65

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-14-2013 18:41:19 | More by valkyre65

1noa

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +10%

05-14-2013 14:48:27 | More by 1noa

irv2424

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +10%

05-13-2013 03:05:01 | More by irv2424

SMM0606

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +15.7%

05-13-2013 01:37:16 | More by SMM0606

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

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-12-2013 17:13:25 | More by mikeburd1128

ipas-for-life

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -13.2%

05-12-2013 15:44:30 | More by ipas-for-life