Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

Alextricity

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the World Expo of Beer in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Appearance: Darkness. A few bubbles on top, no lacing, and just a pitch black beer -- about what I expected this beer to look like.

Smell: Huge scotch and oak aromas... maybe some dark sort of chocolate malt notes, but mainly oaky scotch.

Taste: A couple people I was with claimed it tasted like liquid smoke and dumped it out, but I quite enjoyed this one -- it tastes almost exactly like it smells. It drinks almost like straight scotch with some warming on the finish, but there isn't a HUGE alcohol sort of flavor. The finish is also woody with some dark chocolate and malt to round it all out.

Quite good, and I think it's awesome that Founders chose to put some truly great stuff on-tap at the World Expo of Beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 17:00:21 | More by Alextricity

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

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

doppelmeup

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I absolutely loved this beer. Had it on tap on two separate occasions, and wish I could find some in bottles.

Great notes of malt, vanilla and bourbon in the nose, and the taste is more than I ever hoped for. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Sweet without being cloying. Bourbon flavors perfectly compliment the scotch ale, resulting in one of the best beers I've ever had.

Warning though - the 10.2% ABV will kick you in the N**ts!

I say - if you ever see this, buy it!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2013 17:12:43 | More by doppelmeup

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Birch.

A - Raspberry / bronze color. Nice head.

S - Hints of yeast.

T - Bitter tasting but still appealing. Gets better as it warms up. Probably not as smooth as Dirty Bastard, but a nice change from that if you're looking for more spiciness. Alcohol retty well in background.

M - Nice mouthfeel, medium bodied.

O - A really good beer, but what's new whenh it comes to Founders? I think they might have something there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2013 21:57:49 | More by Beer-A-Lot

rangerred

Tennessee

4.28/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap.

Arrived with a clear dark brown body with no head at all.

Aroma is nearly all bourbon and the characteristics that go along with it. Lots of vanilla, caramel, and wood.

The bourbon continues over to the flavor but it is very smooth and quite sweet; not harsh in the least. Caramel and vanilla dominate along with some pleasant fruitiness. Alcohol is pretty well hidden considering the strength of this beer.

Overall, if you like bourbon you will absolutely love this beer. The flavors mesh perfectly and the mouthfeel is just right; full but not too sweet. A really amazing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 20:03:23 | More by rangerred

jsprain1

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Tawny brown. Head is thin, and off white. Lasts fairly well and good lacing.
S- Smell is basically two pronged: boozey whiskey and milk chocolate. I can't pull much else out but those are two nice aromas.
T- More of the same here. Booze is strong right away, actually just a hint too boozy. The finish is long-lasting and very chocolatey.
M- I was looking for a bit more carbonation, as it fell a bit flat on the tongue. Good body weight behind this beer however.
O- Overall a very good beer. Definitely an offbeat beer I wouldn't drink everyday, but it's fun and different.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2012 03:40:38 | More by jsprain1

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

super different for a beer in this genre. it pours a slightly cloudy pale amber color, with a dense nearly pure white head, lots of lacing left behind as it sips down. the nose is a little fruity, a lot boozy, and entirely different again from most scotch ales. its too light. the taste is awesome, like a tasty hybrid of licorice and fresca soda, thats what i taste. more fruit than ever for a scotch, and the same effervescent carbonation as that artificial grapefruit flavored soda pop. its really good, but i am missing that smoke and hefty malt base ive grown used to in these beers. anyone else get that? bright bubbling medium body, again too light for the style, but this is a damn good beer. living up to its name for all the wrong reasons, this is something unique and to be cherished. i never in a million years would have put uts abv over 10% on a blind tasting, its far too delicate to be that potent, but it all seems to work out just right. on tap at j. ryans in syracuse, a place you must visit as a beer enthusiast. what a treat from founders!

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 04:55:27 | More by StonedTrippin

Optifron

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Enjoyued 11/18/2012 during Founders day at Crane Alley in Urbana, IL

Appearance: Dark rust colored. A little hazy. Creamy tan head.

Aroma: Bourbon, wood, bit of vanilla. Malt hiding in there.

Taste: Good god. Amazing. Huge hit of vanilla. Mellow bourbon and wood added to thick malty sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly velvety, smooth and sweet. Very little carbonation.

Overall: Just amazing BA scotch ale. Leaves me pretty warm in the throat.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 22:04:36 | More by Optifron

NilocRellim

Minnesota

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

Poured on tap in a 10oz pour. Had a hazy brown/ruby tint. Poured a yellowish/tan head that slowly faded down. The smell had a maple syup nose to it. We sat with a couple of friends that thought it had a strong whiskey smell, but we thought it was on par with most scotch ales. the ale was fairly complex and went through multiple flavour changes. It started off with a sweet maple flavour, which faded bitter and then finished sweet and scotchy. Aftertaste notes of fig or almond which lingered nicely on the palate.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 05:25:02 | More by NilocRellim

AJacob81

Illinois

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

on-tap into a tulip 11.13.12 @ Jak's Tap in da West Loop. From notes.

A - mahogany brown, deep amber highlights w a creamy off white head of 1 finger. great legs, patchy lacing.

S - big oaky bourbon straight away, brown sugar and vanilla in after. peat and a hint of smoke just detectable underneath it all. As usual for Founders, a top-notch bouquet.

T - closely follows the nose w brown sugar and peat more enhanced. alcohol heat picks up as beer warms but smooth port, sherry, rum-soaked raisins and melted butter as well. finish is lingering and caramel sweet but not cloying.

M - medium body, medium carbonation. smooth, dangerously easy drinking.

Worth the hype, but I really wish this was easier to get in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2012 21:02:49 | More by AJacob81

Flounder57

Massachusetts

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

Having on draft at the Union Brewhouse in Weymouth, MA.

Appearance: This beer poured a small head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a ruby red mahogany color with a little bit of clarity.

Smell and Taste: Bourbon, caramel, vanilla, spices, maltiness, boozy alcohol, oak, and warming deliciousness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, low to medium carbonation, full bodied, warming alcohol, and silky.

Overall: Pretty solid beer. You can't go wrong with anything barrel aged, especially bourbon. This beer rocks.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2012 05:26:13 | More by Flounder57

jtd1969

North Carolina

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

A - Dark Brown, hazy with some redness tint. Good Lacing on the glass.

S - Bourbon on the nose and with some caramel and sweet

T - Bourbon notes through out with caramel and vanilla, toffee, molasses. Delicious.

M - Very smooth. Low carbonation, but perfect for beer. Alcohol was hidden for the most part. It was medium to full bodied.

O - Was so delighted I was able to enjoy this beer. The bourbon was there but did not overpower this beer. I recommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 02:28:04 | More by jtd1969

Kelly88

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the dilly deli. Served in a great lakes snifter.

A- dark ruby mahogany with a minimal beige cap that is slithering away to a wispy thin skim. I like this look but I could use a little more body in the head.

S- first thing that comes to mind is vanilla as you really put your nose in the glass you can start to pick up some wood and very slight cherry. Intoxicating

T- lot more complex than the nose. Caramel toffee mixes beautifully with the vanilla and wood. Alcohol shows it head to add some kick to the finish. Great.

M- suprisingly light for all of the strong flavors. Perfect carbonation that has the perfect feel on the tongue. Maybe perfect

Overall a fabulous beer. Huge flavors that you are prepared for by the aroma wafting out of the glass. Then it lives up to the anticipation with expertly executed tastes and mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 18:56:12 | More by Kelly88

DevilsCups

New York

4.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap, 9oz snifter.

A - Gorgeous deep red pour, with a surprisingly light brown head. Great looking beer. Lacing is solid.

S - Absolutely one of the best smelling beers out there. It's a home-run of aromas. Huge bourbon notes, big maltiness, hops are present but take a bit of a back seat. Vanilla and woody notes from the barrel are the stars.

T - Big bourbon notes with a great base malt flavor. This really is a great beer. The notes I get are closer to BCBS than KBS, which is pretty interesting. What can I say? Bourbon, malt, vanilla and wood. Perfect.

M - Thick and chewy, but not annoyingly so. Perfect thickness for the style and coats very nicely. Carbonation is perfect, but I'm having this on tap so your mileage may vary.

O - Just outstanding. I don't dabble into this style often, but this beer is one I'll always drink when I see it. Founders doesn't mess around with their barrels.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 20:10:21 | More by DevilsCups

cccupps3

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

i had this beer a few times at Blue Dogg in Warminster P.A. Everytime i see it on a list i will get it because it is one of the best beers that Founders makes. It has an incredible balance of hops and barley. The smokey hint tops it off at the aftertaste. The head is always full and rich with overwhelming aromas that make you want more. Great beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 14:36:47 | More by cccupps3

ghostwalker

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draft pour at an undisclosed location. Large chalice.

A : Brown body. Thin white head.

N: Not a lot. I expected more. Malt and a little bourbon.

F: Smooth malt with some sweetness from the bourbon barrel.

M: Smooth and slightly creamy. A tiny astringency.

O: A nice scotch ale. Not enough barrel for my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 21:11:07 | More by ghostwalker

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap and served in a snifter, the beer is almost completely black, with some deep blood-ruby highlights around the edges. Thin, sparse, frothy, beige head that settles slowly into an uneven covering. Aromas are darkly sweet and earthy, with a heavy dose of caramel, molasses, and cherries blended with a good booze character and some woody smells. Flavors are bold and rich all over the front of the tongue, with a decent alcohol warmth that hits the throat immediately. Taste profiles include a strong bourbon backbone, with rich caramel and molasses sweetness rolling off. Good balance of sweet characteristics, with a roasty feel, and a kick of light cherry sweetness at the end. Super rich and smooth, with a good, full body to carry both the flavor and the ABV. Aftertaste is slightly sharp thanks to the ABV, with oaky and earthy flavors. The finish is slightly cloying, with a slightly astringent feel from the booze. This is a good brew that is fairly easy to drink despite the increased alcohol presence. This is an ass kicker!

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 20:18:52 | More by GarthDanielson

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Backwoods on tap. 12 oz pour; tumbler. Deep red color, becoming dirty brown. Very dark.

Smells of vanilla, toasted coconut, oak, caramel syrup, and alcohol. So interesting. I think, because I've had this many times before, that I know what to expect. But, I'm a first timer for a keg pour.

Caramel, bourbon-forward, more coconut, big vanilla, angel food cake, and a lot of liquor. Big time. Complex and brute. Fruity finish. Notes of dates, maple, and hardwood.

Not overly thick, sticky, or particularly harsh. Warming bite, with some suds. Heavier, of course. For the whiskey lover.

Hands down, best Wee Heavy I've had. I said, put your hands down!

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 02:53:47 | More by thecheapies

unclejazz

New York

4.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the leadup beer to me 1st shot at the Mountie's best so I feels like I beer threadin' my gullet with some soft comfy furniture before put down some plastic. This stuff sweats sweet maple and burrrbon. I am liking each sip whilst weighing me hopes and dreams on sipping some equal to the sweat off Zeus' balls*c. This grog is floatin' around in a Chimay glass just doin' iyts thing. Be squid-ink black and causin all kinds of trouble. Its way too smooth for as strong as this swill is. Damn I am livin in heaven while still havin' a ticker that ticks. Yea, ya know. Good stuff, better'n Duff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 02:22:51 | More by unclejazz

geneb

Virginia

1.27/5  rDev -70.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Appearance: The best part of this beer. The color is a lovely brown with hints of copper around the edges.

Smell: Like sticking your head in a bourbon barrel. I couldn't detect any malt at all.

Taste: Like being drowned in a bourbon barrel. It overpowers everything. I could not taste any malt, peat or caramel.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is thin and watery, adding to the feeling of drinking a big glass of watered down bourbon.

Overall: The bourbon is overpowering. I suspect that if you have bottles and age it for a year or two it'll taste great but it is not good fresh. I love Founder's beers and was excited to finally get to try something other than the breakfast stout. I am, however, very much disappointed. Beer should taste like beer. If I wanted a glass of bourbon, I would have purchased a glass of bourbon.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2011 17:05:10 | More by geneb

elNopalero

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

It’s good. It’s very good.

Oh, it’s good.

This pours a rich caramel color. It has a slight aroma to it, light notes of caramel and toasted coconut, both of which become more apparent and pronounced as it warms. Tastes great, with the coconut sweetness and a warming alcohol working in tandem. It reminded me of an aged barleywine once the hops mellowed out—in terms of the sweetness and finish—and I’d certainly drink it again. A real treat!

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 19:08:46 | More by elNopalero

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at TJ's 8th Anniversary party.

Garnet-brown in color under a very attractive 1-cm foam topper. A pretty impressive head given the level of alcohol. Lacing is more in line with what I would expect...almost nothing.

The nose is interesting and complex, with bourbon coming to the front with its vanilla notes to match. I can make out a hint of maple syrup, too. The base scotch ale seems to fade somewhat in comparison to the barrel prominence. There are some sweet notes of brown sugar and caramel, and only a touch of peat that appears in the flavor. Otherwise, there isn't much scotch ale left here. Warm and a little boozy, this still displays the same heat that I noted in Dirty Bastard the first time I tried it.

Overall, for a beer of this magnitude and age, I find that it is a very enjoyable beer. Formidable for sure, it is a sipper, but every sip is delicious and well worth it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 18:38:05 | More by NittanyBeerFan

Adamostella

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out a slick deep amber. No real head on this one at all.

You certainly get the bourbon / oak notes right up front on the nose.

The taste is similar to the nose on it, you get the bourbon/oak and a small amount of vanilla. This drinks closer to an actual bourbon to me than a beer which is impressive. The alcohol is there in this beer and it really isn't trying to hide it. However, it doesn't get in the way or overpower it.

Drinks extremely smooth which can make things interesting with a beer that packs this kind of punch.

A great beer overall when you are in the mood for something a bit different and boozy.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 17:52:17 | More by Adamostella

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2011-11-25 in Pittsburgh, PA at Smokin' Joes

A - Fairly hazy mahogany with 1/2-finger tan head and no lacing.

S - Bourbon, vanilla bean, alcohol.

T - Lots of bourbon, vanilla, caramel, candied pecan and peaty malt. Touch of hops to quiet the sweetness.

M - Medium body and light carbonation. Creamy and syrupy.

O - Like a Dirty Bastard with bourbon. Lots of flavor. Perhaps the best very-strong-bourbon-tasting beer I've had but I'm not a fan of lots of bourbon in my beer. A little dab will do ya. . . Perhaps it's the fact this is a Wee Heavy, but I prefer their Kentucky Bourbon Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 13:11:08 | More by Tucquan