Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

meatyard

Pennsylvania

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

Appears a clear, dark reddish color with a short, dark tan head. The bubbles are very fine and the head falls away to a thin cover with almost no lacing.

The smell is clearly the bourbon from the barrel with dried figs, vanilla and a hint of alcohol.

The taste is very sweet, smokey malts, the bourbon and a number of dark, dried fruits. The alcohol stays fairly hidden in the background.

Mouthfeel is medium and smooth, quite nice.

It's very drinkable but more of a one bottle sipper. It takes some thinking about it for me.

This is an entertaining beer. I wonder what would happen after aging it for a year or two, I'd be curious to read about this later.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2008 02:17:59 | More by meatyard

bennetj17

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

No head after the pour, just a pencil thin ring. Carbonation appears pretty weak. Deep scent of plum/raisin and caramel, although not very roasty and not very alcoholic.

Fruity alcohol taste with raisiny caramel and a hint of burnt malt. Sort of a brown sugar or German Chocolate cake-like sweet flavor. It almost has a bit of a fruity spice to it. The alcohol is much more perceived in the taste. In fact the finish has almost a bourbon or whiskey character that gets more medicinal as it warms. Medium thickness, healthy carbonation that is quite tingly on the tongue.

This has a decent drinkablility and is definitely worth a try...

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2008 07:48:43 | More by bennetj17

MDekker

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

For Christmas, from my wife, through my brother.

Into a tulipish goblet this brew pours out very dark brown with some orange edges. A little bit of head, but what's there is thick. Not bad.

The aroma is nice: caramel, milk chocolate and notes of the oak barrels. It tastes wonderful, of syrupy bourbon, ripened berries, some alcohol, and a perfectly complementing finish. The mouthfeel is very smooth, with tiny bubbles of carbonation, but I wanted it to be slightly more harsh, less watery. Still good, though. That said, it went down so easily and was a most pleasant drinking experience. I look forward to finding this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2008 03:00:59 | More by MDekker

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.13/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this bottle as an extra in a trade with hoppymeal. Thanks Derek!

This pours from 12oz bottle a clear deep amber with a 2 finger head of off white foam. Lots of lacing and the foam just doesn't want to quit. Nice.

The smell isn't strong but I get good notes of carame and roasted malt.

The taste is a malty delight! Big caramel malt up front with notes of bourbon(done very nicely), chocolate, fig, and when I swish the beer in my mouth, I notice that it's very (dark) fruity. D licious. The alcohol is hidden pretty well with just some warming after the swallow. It borders on sweet but there's some burnt flavour there that adds just enough bitterness to balance the flavours. Very nice and it has a medium mouthfeel and it finishes with a slightly woody flavour. This is some good stuff!

Thanks again, Derek!!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 23:27:35 | More by Bitterbill

Vancer

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Oh man, I almost pass out when I sniff a brew and get the malty bourbon aroma, no shit, it’s very close to Jim Beam – one of my favorites. And some vanilla tossed in the mix adds nicely to this brew.

In fact, adds TOO much to the quaff, it’s turning into a vanilla malt shake. Sweet to the point of cloying. Holy crap Founders forked up this one.

It tries to settle at mid-bottle, but it stays on the sweet side – and this hides any thought of 8.7% alcohol. But eh, I’ll try again next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 22:35:11 | More by Vancer

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very nice, deep, rich reddish hue to it. Some head though not overly carbonated. Somewhat muted aroma-slight oakiness and sweet caramel malt. Big malt flavor with a very heavy handed oakiness to it. Great caramel sweetness. Slight tinge of alcohol burn. Very soft and smooth body. Well balanced-maybe a touch of harshness off the alcohol but I am amazed how "soft" the beer seems. Very drinkable and enjoyable. Not a big fan of oak or bourbon aged beers but this one is quite good for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2007 20:05:20 | More by lackenhauser

Blakaeris

Iowa

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

Pours dark red-brown, almost completely opaque. Tan head is slight but leaves decent lacing.

Aroma is chewy toasted caramel malt, chocolate, and an earthy, smoky woodiness blended with vanilla and bourbon.

Taste is very dry and woody with strong oak notes. Rich smokey malt, and chocolate. Finish has sweet vanilla with a bourbon spiciness.

Mouthfeel is full and round.

Flavor is full and rich. Hops are hardly noticeable. Huge smokey malt character matches well with strong woody bourbon. Alcohol is clearly present, but I never would have guessed that it is 9.2%. A tasty and flavorful brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2007 01:09:09 | More by Blakaeris

ultralarry2006

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle. Leaves one finger of a biege head that slowly fades to foam ring at the edge, and leaves isolated spots of lacing. Body is the deepest possible brown, almost black.

Smell - the nose is filled with the aromas of oak, bourbon, and vanilla, with hints of plums, raisins, and dates that all struggle to assert themselves, and there is some spicy alcohol, and together everything is mouthwatering.

Taste - as promised by the nose. Oak, bourbon, and vanilla, washing over toasty malt biscuits that are studded with dark fruits like dates, raisins, and plums, and there is some caramel, and then spicy alcohol, as well. There is a great deal of vanilla on the finish, and some vanilla coke as well.

Mouthfeel - medium to full bodied, and slightly syrupy at times.

Drinkability - this is excellent, and quite hearty, only the high abv limits sessionability.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2007 20:04:17 | More by ultralarry2006

malcontent

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep, transparent mahogany body. Clarity is remarkable for a beer this dark. Reverse-cascading head is attractvi9e but far too short-lived.

Sweet aroma of dark fruit, tangerines and brown sugar smells almost like an old ale. In fact, very little barrel aged characteristics come through on the nose. Black cherry comes up on the back end like a sucker-punch. Huh?

Apricots and strawberries kissed with honey form an interesting and appetizing intro to this beer. Malt sweetness shows very little hop influence but the barrel aging seems to have imparted a rye-like bitterness. Smokiness rises up toward the back end with hints of vanilla and wood.

Body is thick but far from syrupy. Finish is dry as one might expect from a barrel aged brew. Although the drinkability score might seem less-than-stellar, I'm yet to find a barrel-aged brew that is sessionable. This is a remarkable example of what the barrel treatment can do for a beer and stands in stark contrast to a mistake like, say, Imperial Brown Goose. That was a style (Christmas ale) that didn't have the fortitude to stand up to the treatment. This (Scotch ale, presumably Dirty Bastard) beer had what it takes to deliver the goods. Really good bottled version of a barrel aged beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2007 05:49:26 | More by malcontent

bashiba

Iowa

4.68/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a light cola brown with a thin fizzy white head, quickly leaving a little soapy ring.

Smell had a nice bit of oaky malts with burnt smoked bourbon notes.

Flavor is dominated by bourbon barrel goodness, strong smokey burnt notes, big oakyness, and vanilla in the finish make it very whiskey like. But the backbone of smokey malts and crisp earthy hops are all beer. Flavors are nicely balanced and meld together nicely.

Mouthfeel is warm and thick with a touch of sticky.

A very easy to drink big beer, founders does it again, they just keep impressing me beer after tasty beer. I would drink lots of this if it were more readily available.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2007 03:31:00 | More by bashiba

IntriqKen

California

4.2/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Scotch Ale?
Wee Heavy?
I don't know...I'm getting Kentucky Bourbon here.

Pours a deep dark amber with just a hint of mahogany that is topped with a half finger of white. Head melts quickly but leaves a ring and minimal lacing as you drink it.

Aroma is very, very woody...almost dry to sawdust in aroma but then the bourbon comes through with a touch of vanilla.

Taste is full of oak and full of bourbon. First wood flavors that melt into bourbon then sweet candied amber malts and then back to bourbon. A touch of alcohol on the tale end.

Aftertaste is boubon and alcohol warmth with a touch of vanilla.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 04:27:30 | More by IntriqKen

joe1510

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz Stubby
$10.00 4-Pack
Sicilianos, Grand Rapids

Backwoods Bastard pours a fairly clear burnt caramel that glows ruby when backlit. There are some tiny suspended particles of protein. A one-plus ecru head rose as I poured and eventually faded to a creamy crown leaving some big sticky patches as I drink.

Sweet caramel and toffee come through nicely in the aroma. Smooth notes of vanilla and oak glide through flawlessly. While there is a touch of smokey bourbon it's in the background and only works to compliment the other aromas. This stuff smells exceptional!

Flavor walks right along with the aroma. All the flavors meld seamlessly to create an excellent Wee heavy. Caramel and toffee are the base of this beer but the real highlight is the vanilla and oak from the barrel aging. There is a hint of alcohol in the flavor that wasn't there in the aroma. This knocks down the score a notch.

The body is on the heavier side of medium although feels thick and creamy on the tongue. Velvety smooth as it glides along. I'd venture to guess the barrel aging makes the body as velvety as it is.

This beer is very easy to sip. It's cold outside, there's football on tv and this is the beer I'd most like to be drinking right now. Hits the spot.

I don't think this needs to be said but this is another great beer from Founders. They've really opened things up this year with all the new bottled releases. A great beer from one of the best breweries in the country.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 21:18:18 | More by joe1510

chilidog

Ohio

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

Picked thisone up at the brewery, the last 4-pk. in the to-go case.

It poured a good looking clear caramel copper color. The head was tan and short-lived though some spotted lace was left.

The aroma is bourbon and vanilla malts.

The taste carried that bourbon vanilla but kicked up by the earthy oak and wooded malt feel.

The mouthfeel is good, smooth and easy, though the alcohol is strong and not shy about it.

Drinkability, sure as a sipper. The bourbon makes this beer what it is, a full bodied, medium carbonated, on its own brew. Sure it would go with beef real well.
I also picked up Old Curmudgean, tasted side by side and close in charactor.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2007 15:04:12 | More by chilidog

prototypic

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It's a clear, dark brown color with a minimal head. Retention was short and very little lacing was left behind.

Smell: Certainly has a very heavy bourbon smell that dominates the nose. Certainly malty and has an oaked smell about it. Not picking up much else. Bourbon smell is overpowering.

Taste: Again, bourbon dominates here. There are some ancillary notes that are not noticeable by smell. It is somewhat sugary and sweet. Nice and malty. Has a bit of an oaked or wood chip taste to it. All in all, the sweet bourbon taste is predominant and overpowering.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It's thick and definitely a sipping beer. It's pretty well carbonated. It's potent at 8.7%. I'd be hard pressed to drink more than two in a sitting. Overall, it's a pretty good beer. I'd definitely pick it up again (if I happen to see it).

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2007 03:04:16 | More by prototypic

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle to small snifter, The liquid is a clear brown with ok carbonation. The head is small and tan, it leaves some lace.

The smell is great a fine brew made better, All I'm getting here is bourbon. Very nice.

The taste is great, fine bourbon over a very good scotch ale, (Please give me more of this style).

The mouthfeel is a bit thin, I also had this on tap in GR, Loved it and brought home a growler for my good RB buddies. It seemed darker, thicker, fuller, just more power. Yet this is still good.

The drinkability is excellent, I do love this brew.

Prosit un Zum Wohl... MK

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2007 07:06:56 | More by MuenchenerKindl

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a splendid, bright and enticing caramel orange color with a manila film that left spots of lace.

Smells of gooey caramel blended in with a sweet bourbon and vanilla taffy. This was backed by a tingly tickle in the background.

Tastes of sweet woody malt with a sour decomposed citrus rind and birch bark. A bourbon nestles in with the sweetness like the smell but a little out of place. Finishes a little dry, almost puckering. The boozy bourbon in the finish was a nice end to this ride.

Feels a little heavy and viscous but the tiny carbonation fills it out.

Nice. A tasty change of pace. I’d recommend a bottle, but not a case.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2007 22:06:38 | More by DarkerTheBetter

Overlord

California

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to LeftMR for the brew.

Pours a reddish brown. Aggressive pour yielded about a finger of head. Settled down to a thin offwhite crust for the remainder of the drinking session. Thick, bourbon mouthfeel. Seldom do I describe a mouthfeel with a taste, rather than a sensation, but considering just how crazily bourbon flavored this is, there's no avoiding it.

Taste and smell: so, do you like bourbon? That's the dominant characteristic, with oak, a bit of malt, and some vanilla/honey?/roasted fruit? rounding out the BOURBON.

I like it. Would I want it all the time: no way. Not as well integrated as the superb KFBS, but still a very good brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2007 07:47:07 | More by Overlord

david131

Michigan

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- A very very dark amber liquid. Ever so slightly hazy and some very slowly rising streams of carbonation. This looks syrupy. The head is very small and splotchy.

S- Holy hell. There is so much smooth smelling bourbon smell to this. Lots of vanilla, a little bit of cinnamon and some oak. Wonderful.

T- Lots of smooth bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak. The alcohol is pretty well hidden overall. This is a beastly tasting beer. I am not a huge fan of the aftertaste though.

M- Smooth and a little drying. For as syrupy as this looks, I was surprised how not sticky this was.

D- A very interesting beer for sure. This is just essentially bourbon beer. Unique, tasty, and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2007 05:46:25 | More by david131

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a great, deep ruby that stubbornly lets a little light pass through it. Makes me think of a mans cognac or brandy. No head or lace to speak of. Very meaty aroma of sugared fruits, like pruins, figs, and apricots with a definite touch of oak and alcohol. The taste starts with vanilla and malty figs. A good oaky finish but with a bit too much alcohol that lingers a little toolong. Still a good sipping beer. The palat is thick and fruity with an undeniable oak and creamy standard vanilla tone. Good for a long sipping night cap. No more than one a day. I'm glad I got to try this beer. Considering I really like the old dirty bastard.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2007 05:46:21 | More by scruffwhor

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Have to say I wasn't all that thrilled with the dirty bastard, but this beer here is a whole nuther kettle of fish.

The beer pours an impressive dark amber red color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is otherworldly. I get a huge complex, sweet malty aroma, with nuances of cherry, vanilla, almond and chocolate. This beer smells incredible and you can tell it's not for the faint of heart. This is clearly a very big beer. On the palate this beer is incredible. It's very sweet and very rich, but there is so much going on it doesn't tire out your palate. There is again lots of cherry and vanilla on the palate, and the beer has almost a fruit cake flavor about it. However, there is enough bitterness from the hops in the finish to keep it from becoming tiring to drink. The abv. is noticeable, but not intrusive, though I agree the high abv., coupled with the richness, certainly make it difficult to have more then one.

This is an exceptional beer. As far as I'm concerned, dump the dirty the bastard and only make this liquid nectar from now on.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2007 04:28:29 | More by johnmichaelsen

BMoney575

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes
Sampled on 12-1-07

Pours a very deep red/brown color, with a very thin head and clingy lacing.

Smell is all bourbon, with a huge vanilla character and a nice woodiness. Outstanding.

Taste is just like the smell, only more intense. Lots of bourbon, with a smooth, tart alcohol to accompany it. Maybe a little hop bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel is very good, ultra smooth with just the perfect amount of carbonation.

Drinkability suffers from the big bourbon flavors, but is still pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2007 02:46:13 | More by BMoney575

Deuane

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at the brewery

A - Muddy dark brown with a thin tan head. Light lacing throughout

S - Toffee, caramel, vanilla, bourbon and a slight smokiness. Very aromatic.

T - Strong notes of bourbon with lesser notes of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit. Maybe some backround hints of chocolate malt

M - Rather light for such a big beer. Very smooth and easy going. Alcohol warming noticed immediatley. Low carbonation.

D - Dangerously so....this is one great bourbon aged beer. I am not the biggest fan of Dirty Bastard so for this to come out so well is a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2007 15:16:55 | More by Deuane

barleywinebrewer

New Hampshire

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

thanks to DIM for this via trade. I found this to be a very nicely mellow bourban and oak influenced beer. Soft and tasty in a relaxed mode. While I enjoyed this one, I was left wondering where the beer this once was went. It's a nice bourbon barrel aged brew but there are very few notes that come across from the brew. Slight caramel, slight toffee but that was about it.

I would give it a higher score if the beer showed through a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2007 20:57:06 | More by barleywinebrewer

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Founders- Backwoods Bastard

A- Chunky (full of floaters) Amber with a frothy head. Laces nicely along the top half of the glass.
S- Very faint bourbon whiskey, oak, and vanilla.
T- Very creamy vanilla caramel with a light and sweet oak, charcoal bourbon twang.
M- Very creamy and sweet. Boozy alc really hits you in the end.

Overall- My bottle says Alc by Vol. 8.7%!?!
Regardless this 1 is creamy and smooth throught until the booze in the end. A good sipper.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 23:32:41 | More by NJpadreFan

Boppar

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

12 oz. into snifter.

A: Pours reddish brown with minimal head and some lace.

S: Vanilla, caramel, toffee, coffee, alcoholic warmth. Also, there is a pleasant grapey/cognac-y aroma.

T: Tastes very much the way it smells. I'm glad I was sitting down when I took the initial sip. There is an almost overpowering wood taste, followed by alcohol and coffee. A few sips later, I am able to discern other complex flavors, mostly cognac and vanilla. I can't believe this is only 9.2% ABV; it drinks like 12%.

M: Chewy and more carbonated than it looks. It works well for this beer.

D: Rich and hard-hitting. An awesome palate-womper, but one is quite enough.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 03:04:40 | More by Boppar