Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

kdb150

Pennsylvania

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

Fresh 2012 vintage, poured into an oversized Piraat tulip at room temperature, though this is closer to 60 than 70 as my house is pretty cold.

A - Pours a deep amber/brown with a half-finger of ivory head, which quickly subsides to a thin ring. Hints of ruby red shoot through this brew when held up to the light. No lacing to speak of, but nevertheless this is a beautiful pour.

S - Bourbon, oak, and vanilla strong up front, somewhat masking the burnt caramel and slight smoke of the base beer. The combination is reminiscent of scotch. Excellent aroma, though a bit weak for not being poured into a snifter, which I really recommend for this beer.

T - Again bourbon, with the base beer coming through a bit more in the flavor than in the nose. The malt is perfectly balanced with the bourbon to produce a wonderful bourbon/butterscotch flavor that is not too sweet and hits all the right notes. This a ridiculously good beer, though it benefits from a bit of age.

M - Silky smooth, absolutely perfect for the flavor profile. Low carb which dissipates rather quickly, but this coats nicely and has the most exquisite aftertaste. The mouthfeel seems to be one that is fairly unique to bourbon barrel-aged wee heavies, and this is the best of them. This is a real pleasure to drink.

O - This is one of my absolute favorite beers, though from prior experience I'd say it is definitely better after a few months, when the bourbon subsides a bit and the subtle smokiness of the base beer comes through. The flavor takes on more of a scotch note than a bourbon note, and this becomes a truly sublime beer experience. Even fresh, though, this is an absolute treat, worth seeking out and drinking as much as possible.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:13:10 | More by kdb150

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