Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

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

brianlindman

Colorado

4.63/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Founders...

A - great appearance pours dark with a nice head.

S - Sweet malty smell.

T - sweet bourbon aroma and taste.

M - Smooth in the mouth slight alcohol aftertaste, SWEET, VERY SWEET.

Overall loved the beer taste great even after CBS. Very smooth for 10% ABV.

I will look fo it in the bottle this year!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 16:53:57 | More by brianlindman

jmvecchio1

Missouri

3.73/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: The beer is dark amber/copper in color with some nice lacing around the top. The caramel and roasted malts have left it with a nice color that signaled to me that a there will certainly a taste behind this beer.

Smell: I got a lot of oaky bourbon and scotch aromas off the beer. The beer has a very sweet alcohol smell to it as well. During tasting, the aroma is what really hung around after the sip.

Taste: The beer is lightly carbonated, which is good as it doesn’t detract from the strong flavors going on. The upfront taste I got was of the sweet malts (which even the 50 IBUs couldn’t fully balance out). The finish left a warming alcohol sensation with each sip. The tastes also didn’t obnoxiously linger long after a sip, but – like I mentioned earlier – the aroma did.

Drink: As it’s a 10.2% ABV, it’s a sipper, but it surprised me with how easily drinking it was. This would be a great beer to enjoy during the colder winter months given that warming alcohol taste.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 19:08:31 | More by jmvecchio1

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

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

Reviewed from notes. Had with Mike Stevens at the Founder's event at Capone's during PBW. Poured into a snifter...

A - Pours a deep amberish burgandy color with a nice beige head, about .5 fingers thick, that recedes to a film on the top.

S - Bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel all right off the bat. Some oak is noticed as is some fruits as well.

T - Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla goodness right up front. Bourbon and oak follow on the palate and finishes with some boozey notes. Slightly biscuity notes as well rounding out the sweetness of the rest of what's going on.

M - Medium to heavey bodied beer with moderate carbionation. Creamy texture on the tongue.

O - More and more, this is becoming a favorite of mine. Really like how the barrel integrates into the base beer and comes out a winner. Thanks Mike!

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2011 17:20:47 | More by KAP1356

zrab11

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a purpley brown color with nice foamy 2 finger head. Great lacing

S- Smells of alcohol, dark fruits and some toffe are carmel too

T- Has a barrel flavor right up front followed by some dry fruits and finishes with a strong boozeness

M-medium body with good carbonation

D-Overall it was not the wee heavy scotch ale i was hoping for. Def. a good brew but just alittle too dry and boozy for me. I wanted a tab bit more sweet and refreshing. But still a good beer. Would drink again. But i think their are better wee heavy's

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 16:41:37 | More by zrab11

deebo

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Keg from 2009.

A-Tan head that sticks. Cloudy brown and dirty looking.

S-Oaky wood aroma is strong. Not much else comes through.

T-Smoked malts predominant, wood/oak, and a definite bourbon taste.

M-Alcohol vapors are very noticeable. Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

D-Too much bourbon flavor to make this one more than a sipper for me. Bourbon whiskey lovers will like this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 23:51:26 | More by deebo

chilly460

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a medium ruby brown color. It has a two finger light tan head on it, good lacing all the way down the glass

S - Whoa, big whiskey smell hits immediately. Follows with some brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, and more booze. Whiskey (oddly not much bourbon smell here, more raw alcohol type smell) overpowers everything else. Dirty Bastard is fairly hoppy for the style, but I don't pick up any hops in this beer.

T - Yahtzeee!!! The first sip hit like a ton of bricks, eyes watered as if I just had a shot of straight bourbon. Other patrons sitting around said the same thing, this keg must have been pulled from a very strong barrel that still had some bourbon in it. The taste is of bourbon with definite vanilla and oak notes. There are good notes of caramel, and canned fruit in a sweet syrup, some toffee too. Eventually, by about the fourth good sip, the bourbon hit calms down and you get a nice smoothing effect, plenty of complexity...the bourbon and sweetness of the beer come together well.

M - Thick mouthfeel with lower carbonation. This beer is smooth as all hell and chewy. I don't know how Founders gets the mouthfeel so perfect in everything from an IPA to a Scotch Ale, but they do. Once the booze numbs you, it goes down the hatch really well.

O - Definitely a sipper, but this is one that just comes together right. It would be better with less booziness on the initial hit, but that seemed to go away as it warmed and I got further into the glass.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 10:38:07 | More by chilly460

andrecrompton

New Jersey

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

I would surely consider myself a beer nut and this is the "Holy Grail" of beers that I have had. Great from first taste to finish. The body of this beer is heavy with a sweet after taste. Vanilla and Caramel taste all throughout. Perfect head from a tap pour. I have had other scotch or whiskey ales and they don't come close to the taste of this beer. I am really surprised to see very little reviews on beer.

This is a definate sipper and not a liter mug guzzler.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2011 05:16:54 | More by andrecrompton

Blanco

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

reviewed from notes.

very dark amber color with white head. smell is off sweet cherries and strong bourbon. taste is similar although bourbon is more forward and dark fruit taste is more nondescript than the specific cherry flavor in the smell. also strong malt flavor. medium bodied. I enjoyed this one more than it's brother beer, Dirty Bastard. The bourbon adds a nice complexity I enjoy far more than the straight malt in Dirty Bastard.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2011 04:08:13 | More by Blanco

dfillius

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Off white head with decent retention. Crystal clear crimson liquid with amber highlights.
S: Slight bourbon increases as it warms
T: Bourbon. A mellow scotch. It stops short of being boozy thankfully. Some chocolate and vanilla. Tasty! Best as it's warmer.
M: Some heat. Round. Smooth
D: Mmmm! Strong, but I want another and would buy a 22 oz. or a 6-pack maybe (if it came as such, a 4-pack if in that).

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2011 00:39:39 | More by dfillius