Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

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

angelogarcia3

New York

4.93/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this on-tap at Sapsucker's Hop & Grubs in Huntington, NY. The deep reddish color and nice tannish head are very pleasing to the eye. On the nose the distinctive aroma of bourbon and strong alcohol lets you know that this beer has been cask-aged. The first sip confirms the bourbon barrel aging. The syrrupy quality of the beer allows it to linger after first sip and leaves a lasting bourbon, vanilla, and caramel notes on the tongue. A fantastic beer definitely one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2011 01:28:31 | More by angelogarcia3

harrymel

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled: difficult to read with new wax. 06/2011? A: dark brown with a transient finger of toast foam falls to a scatteredsheet of the same. Where able, excellent clarity. Spotty lace. (4) S: caramel, oat, leather, toffee. Hints of raisin. (4.5) T: sweet with tones of English yeast and subtle clove and molasses. Really great tasting scotch ale. (4.5) M: full and creamy with just a hare too much carb. Semi dry finish. (4) O: one of the best of the style I’ve had. Yummy. (4.5)

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 07:00:54 | More by harrymel

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz pour in a tall thin glass, I had this one at the Rattle n Hum.

Backwoods Bastard pours mahogany to a deep red, with about a finger of beige foam. It displays good retention, and there's a small amount of lacing left clinging to the glass. The nose is fantastically sweet/malty. Vanilla ad caramelize sugar immediately jump out at my nose, eventually making room for subtle bourbon and oak scents to show themselves and add a layer of complexity. The flavor takes that great balance though and turns it on its ear, as bourbon and wood trample all over the malty flavors present in the beer. Those spirit and oak notes work much better in a supporting role, and aren't great acting as the focal point of the beer. The beer's carbonation is alright, tending towards the less intense side of things. The body though is inexcusably light, not nearly as full and rich as such a big beer brewed in a malt forward style requires. Backwoods Bastard is an alright beer, and it has some potential, but as is I think this is one case where I prefer the base beer to the barrel aged version.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2011 05:43:25 | More by axeman9182

b3shine

Ohio

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

Draft to snifter. Looks good; brown with a little head laced around the circumference of the glass. Smells good too; malt and bourbon are noticeable. Tastes great! It's this beer's best attribute. The bourbon barreling mellows out the scotch flavoring nicely. Mouthfeel is good. It would get better with age, but for a draft I can't complain. Overall, a very good beer, and one of the few that the taste is the best feature of.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 21:19:49 | More by b3shine

barczar

Kentucky

3.96/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours an clear deep amber with a small beige head that dissipates immediately, leaving a foamy ring around the sides of the tulip.

Booze and chocolate malt dominate the aroma with a slight peaty element creeping in as it warms. Raisins and figs appear in the background.

A cola-like sweetness opens the flavor profile, with bourbon, oak and vanilla taking center stage, together with malted milk balls. Booze becomes apparent as the flavor lingers. The finish is slightly bitter. Chocolate becomes more apparent as it warms.

Medium heavy body with almost no carbonation. Alcohol provides a warming feeling.

Overall a very good nightcap. Could benefit from a little age to tame the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 03:03:37 | More by barczar

rtepiak

Poland

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

age this boozy doggy. a interesting merge between beer marshmallow maltiness and bourbon hints. some walnut and zucchini bread hints. pour is sticky and nice head of mahogany with an off white head. nose of bourbon and caramel. palate is hard on the tough like bourbon and then cuts clean. this is not syrupy at all. its a bit hot. its a nice blend of flavors. that ends sooner than the expected barrel ages stout. dry mineral tongue. dessert that doesn't let itself linger.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 05:54:24 | More by rtepiak

SeaUrchin

Michigan

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

went to the founders happy hour at slows bbq, had this on tap into a goblet, it was of the 2009 vintage and i it is 2011, low liight room so appearance might not be perfect

appearance - mahogany, with a thin light brown head that quickly left, low carbonation, mild lacing

smell - sweet malts and mellow bourbon up front, there are caramel and toffee hints to this one, and a bit of vanilla

taste - taste follows nose, up front there is a nice sweetness from the malts and a burnt caramel toffee flavor, this fades into a very mellow vanilla bourbon flavor, finished with a a bit of a lingering bitterness but not much

mouthfeel - thick, almost syrupy but also light, hard to describe but very fitting

overall - great beer, i think i liked it more than fresh after everything melded together, have 4 2010's left so ill see how they are doing soon

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 01:34:07 | More by SeaUrchin

mdfb79

New York

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I very rarely review a beer twice (first time in bottle and now on draft), but I have had this on draft 2 times in the last 2 weeks (10/4 and 10/11) and it has been signicantly better than the bottle or two I have had, so I figured I would re-revoew this on tap. From notes.

a - Pours a nice dark mohogany brown color with moderate carbonation evident and and two inches of off white head evident. Light lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of caramel malts, bourbon, chocolate, sugar, maple, dark fruits, and light alcohol. Bourbon is up front but not overpowering; very enjoyable.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, bourbon, chocolate, bready malts, dark fruits, and booze. Again, bourbon is there and very nice, just the right amount.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink for over 10% and not too hot considering the bourbon.

d - Overall I thought this was a great scotch ale, and much better on tap than in bottles. Bourbon is there mixxing with sweet caramel malts and dark fruits, and it isn't nearly as alcohol-dominated as I remember it. Would love to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 19:11:32 | More by mdfb79

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at ChurchKey in DC. Pours a clear, dark amber with a bright red tint and a thick tan head that slowly settles down into a thin layer of even lace, leaving thick residue along the inside of the glass. The nose is strong with vanilla, cinnamon, and oaky bourbon, along with a light cherry undertone with a ton of caramel maltiness as well. The flavor is much the same with the sweeter malt up front, moving to the very oaky vanilla and cinnamon bourbon, a hint of cherry, and a bit of burnt caramel bitterness. The body is full with light carbonation and a long vanilla bourbon, caramel malt, and lightly burnt bitter finish. Not a huge fan of Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy styles, but glad to have tried this out!

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 17:46:30 | More by CuriousMonk

jayhawk73

Maryland

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

On draft at Rustico:

Pours a dark brown color w/ a one finger cocoa head that quickly disappears. Good carbonation, and somewhat weak lacing on the glass. Smell is oak, vanilla, malt, alcohol. A little on the thin side for me- and warming doesn't help much. Not as complex as I would think for a beer w/ this pedigree. Taste is the same- good, but not great. Something's missing here. It just doesn't have the depth of flavor or complexity that I would expect from a Founder's brew. Still, it's good. Mouthfeel is a disappointment. Very thin and carbonated feel. Too thin to be honest. Overall, this is a decent brew, but fell short of what I had hoped for.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2011 00:48:18 | More by jayhawk73

monitorpop

Michigan

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

Freshly tapped minutes before I ordered.

A: Creamy caramel with a thick tan head.

S: Bourbon, vanilla and oak.

T: Sweet vanilla, a bit nutty, some wood and strong bourbon.

M: Smooth, a bit thick, low carbonation with a mild alcohol burn.

O: Strong and boozy, but enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2011 13:01:27 | More by monitorpop