Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

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

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

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

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

A: This was the most gorgeous color of red I have ever seen. I know I shouldn't judge the color by holding it up to the light, but when I say beautiful...wow.

S: Very earthy, oakey, and a little nutty and alcoholy.

T: The taste followed suit from the smell; very oakey and earthy. And the bourbon taste is very present as well. Very complex.

M: Very much a bourbon style beer. Very dry, crisp and not too much carbonation.

D: This is a sipper for sure. If you enjoy bourbon style beer's you should enjoy this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 02:55:57 | More by gkatsoris

benito

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Backwoods Bastard is a dark, reddish brown with a thin head that dissipates quickly. A bouquet of alcohol, bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak. the taste is initially sweet--with heavy vanilla and brown sugar flavors--that gives way to a warming, finish. The aftertaste is slightly bitter and long lasting. There are hints of stewed fruit and a substantial, thick maltiness balances out the alcohol; this backdrop is also a near-perfect showcase for the various bourbon-propelled flavors. I wish the strength were a little better hidden and that the bourbon, or malt, flavors showed more length across the back end of each sip.

Overall, this is a great "bourbon beer," with a major emphasis on the whiskey-ish half of that moniker. Another fine brew from Founders--Michigan's ascending brewery.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2007 23:18:26 | More by benito

weeare138

Pennsylvania

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

Appears a dense, murkey dark brown with a small, 2 finger, light tan head that quickly fades out into a mild collar. Scattered streaks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of rich toffee, caramel, vanilla, bourbon, apple smoked meat...pretty nice aroma on all counts.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with the vanilla, oak, and bourbon coming through with some raisin notes and lip smacking goodness with a hint of cocoa.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth, warming, lightly carbonated, and yummy.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2007 20:35:22 | More by weeare138

Bierguy5

Ohio

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

12 oz. bottle, label says 8.7% ABV. Dark chestnut color, with some ruby around the edges. Thin tan head disappears immediately.

Oak, vanilla and caramel aroma, with a bit of dark fruit. A bit boozy in the nose as well.

Lots of oak present in the flavor. A fair amount of caramel, but the oak still takes over. Warming alcohol presence.

Seems a bit thin, not much carbonation. Either this is overdone, or just needs to sit and chill out for a while. I was kind of disappointed, I felt the oak took all of the character away from the bastard.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2007 17:29:43 | More by Bierguy5

yinzer

Pennsylvania

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

appearance: transparent dark copper, pours with a small amount of carbonation. The small amount of bubbles struggle to the top. Looks like a aged English B.W. Very impressing.

smell: sweet and malty, then a big hit of oak and bourbon. I’m a bit worried, maybe some hot alcohol.

taste: wow, very smooth. Sweet, raisons, does have some aged English B.W. aspects, but the oak/bourbon is at the forefront. Slight hops. Has some complexity. I wish that there was a 4.25

mouthfeel: medium, alcohol is well hidden.

drinkability: very enjoyable. I wish that I had a few to age. I'm rounding up my rating in a few areas. I'd say a very good result for what I'm assuming is a new take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2007 04:40:16 | More by yinzer

Winter

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a clear deep brownish copper body with a yellowed tan head. Very noticeable oak and vanilla on the nose. There's also sweet caramel, chocolate malt, toffee, a whiff of dark fruit and alcohol. The viscous mouthfeel is full-bodied with light carbonation. Huge vanilla and oak flavors start things off up front. Bourbon follows. It's a very sticky beer. My mouth and lips are coated. Some graininess is apparent in the middle. This is not a sweet beer at all, though and is best enjoyed as a sipper. Alcohol has a strong presence in the finish.

Backwards Bastard is a very different beer than the Dirty Bastard. The oak aging is very apparent in the taste. Also, it's quite a bit less hoppier than its cousin. I wonder, in part, how much the oak aging had an effect on the diminished hoppiness. This is a decent bourbon barrel oak-aged beer, but it seems the more I try these, the more they all start tasting the same. One of these is enough for me in a sitting. The 9.2% abv and body of the beer easily makes this one to sit back and savor.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2007 21:27:27 | More by Winter

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

12oz. bottle courtesy of Alexgash -- Thanks!

Pretty clear, dark red/copper in color. Hard pour yielded a modest, sand colored head which vanished quickly. Composed of very small bubbles. Bit of legs, not much lace.

Aroma was BOURBON! Woodsy and earthy. Some vanilla.

Taste was bourbon. Sweet more than bitter, raisins, dark cherries. Hints of chocolate and roast. Decent bittering at the finish, grassy and herbal.

Medium + body. Medium carbonation, which was more than I expected. Dry. Alcohol says hello very quickly.

Maybe too much bourbon/barrel? Nah! Damn fine beer. I sampled this on Dark Lord Day and have been really looking forward to enjoying a whole one. Will enjoy my others as the weather gets cooler.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2007 17:32:11 | More by

shbobdb

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I like this beer, it is a "rounder" version of their dirty bastard complimented by a nice bourbon twang.

That said, the original beer is a little bit overwhelmed, instead of a dirty bastard that has been lightly complimented by the barrel-aging process, this beer is nearly completely unrecognizable. I mean, sure, there is that initial malty-sweetness that is unmistakable bastard on the tongue but that is followed by a blast of vanilla and black currant and as it sits in your mouth the vanilla wins out and it is just, wow, vanillia-y. There is also a very instresting "chloraseptic" finish. It isn't a bad thing, but it does bring the beer to an unmistakable close.

Overall, I like this beer. It warms you and is very "digestive" in the Belgian sense of the word. But I do think the bourbon-barrel aging process overwhelms the original beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2007 01:55:44 | More by shbobdb

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

12oz bottle into a snifter.

Pours a deep, murky brown with light plum colored notes around the edges. Very minimal white head that quickly dissipated into a smallish circle around the outer rim with a few wispy traces in middle. Lacing was surprising good considering the small amount of head. Aroma is strong bourbon up front and coats the underlying currents of sweetness, spice, dark fruits, vanilla, and oak.

Taste is very complex. All kinds of stuff going on here. First up is a spicy sweetness melding into hints of vanilla oak and dark fruits. The bourbon flavor is very subtle and nicely compliments the other flavors. Finishes with a bitter hop, smoke, and alcohol combo that completely coats the back of the throat. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a smooth viscous nature. Very nice.

Wow, Founders comes through with another oak-aged wonder. Definitely one to sip and savor to fully enjoy it's complex and warming characteristics. I just wish that I had more than just the one bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2007 17:43:01 | More by Kegatron

DavidEddie

Illinois

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

Appearance - Dark brown. Khaki colored head diminishes quickly.

Smell - Bourbon, dark ripe fruit, vanilla, smoke, and wood. A very nice strong aroma.

Taste - Dark cherries, dark chocolate, butterscotch, big time booze, burnt toast, hint of bourbon and mellow smoke.

Mouthfeel - Light at first. Becomes a thick heavy fizz of carbonation followed by some syrupyness that coats your mouth. Sticky like.

Drinkability - Exceptional. But the alcohol was kinda harsh. Could use a year in the cellar. Flavors worked well with each other. Recommend!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 04:15:48 | More by DavidEddie

DIM

Pennsylvania

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

note: sampled immediately after a Dirty Bastard.

a: Dark brown with ruby highlights just like its naked cousin. The head is diminished in this version however.

s: The bourbon subdues but does not mask the aromas from Dirty Bastard. The candied fruits are still here while the vanilla is enhanced. The boubon is, of couse, the most noticeable smell here.

t: This is exactly what I hoped this beer would taste like. As is the case with the smell, here to the bourbon merely compliments the taste rather than dominate it. The smoky peat flavors and vanilla are blanketed by bourbon which does not take over until the finish. At the end the oak is also present.

m: Same as DB, silky smooth and dries the mouth nicely.

d: One a night for sure as this is a sipper. I'll miss these when they are gone.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2007 17:15:17 | More by DIM

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a really pleasing, deep copper/cedar with a nice thick beige head that holds well and leaves some average lace. A decent amount of small rising bubbles. Very appetizing.

Initially malty in the nose with some dark fruit and a light slightly vanilla bourdon hint. Certainly those oak barrel characteristics are in full effect.

Now for the taste. Wow, really complex. There is a lot there flavor-wise. Many times in bourbon barrel aged brews there is a lot of the harsher characteristics of the bourbon, but not that gorgeous, inherent complexity of flavor. The vanilla really comes out, as does the slight floral note and fruitiness. Roasty and warm with some malty sweetness, honey, molasses and the subtle smoky note of charred oak. Mellow but very pronounced. Exactly what I was hoping for. Just a hint of booze in the finish, but not at all harsh. Founders really hint the nail on the head with this one.

Smooth and velvety on the tongue with moderate carbonation. Full, buttery finish that lingers a bit on the palate. I'm often not big a fan of many similar selections, but this one really captured the most appetizing qualities from the barrels without dragging some of the overpowering harshness along. Another fantastic selection form Founders

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2007 23:30:37 | More by letsgopens

alexgash

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark, garnet-brown body with a thick, frothy, khaki brown head. Great lacing. Bourbon notes are prominent and they meld fantastically with the bastard's rich caramel, smoke, peat, and maple syrup aromas. Light bourbon burn up front. Dark fruits and rich caramel soon follow, with the bourbon around the edges. Hints of peat before delicious wave of vanilla, butterscotch, oak and sweet dark fruits. Herbal hop bitterness way in the background gets lost in the warming bourbon finish. Delicious. Full-bodied with a very smooth, creamy feel. Very impressive!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2007 03:06:23 | More by alexgash

zdk9

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

Second night without power. It feels like I'm in the woods without heat. Hopefully this one will warm me up.

A- Dark brown with ruby highlihgts. Little head tops the surface. As the beer goes down the glass it leaves limited, but fairly strong looking dots of lacing.

S- Dark fruits- prunes and raisins. Reminds me quite a bit of the Raison D'extra of a couple days ago. As my nose delves deeper I notice strong carmel, and some alcohol. There is also some off tones, perhaps DMS? Hopefully these aren't reminscent of the DFH brew.

T- Initial taste of vanilla, oaky bourbon which smoothes into sweet carmel malt with some brither fruit flavors- cherry and orange or dark tangerine. The aftertaste brings some heavily roasted coffe tones to the party.

M- Syrupy as hell- a major tongue sticker. I'm loving this part of the beer.

D- I love the bourbon notes on this batch, but the off flavors turned me off in turn. But still good, especially the drinking experience of syrupy, mildly boozy, beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2007 23:52:01 | More by zdk9

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

1yr old 2007 brew
(Served in a snifter)
A- Dark brown body with a faint red glow thick creamy yellowish head good strong carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- Still a big wet oaky barrel with some nice dark dry malty notes. Make you want to sniff for days.

T- Nice full bourbon flavor with big oaky vanilla flavors and some roasted malt flavors. There is a burnt wood malt flavor to the bourbon in the finish. This lingers for a bit after each sip.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a creamy texture as long as the head last. There is a soft smooth alcohol heat that supports the flavors.

D- This beer is great fresh and it is just a good with some age on it although I didn't really notice much change.
---
(Served in a snifter)

A- This beer has a deep auburn-brown body that is a bit dense but still clear. There is a creamy light tan head that sticks to the glass and last long after the beer does. It also has a nice slow carbonation of tiny bubbles that support the head.

S- The smell of big vanilla and bourbon has notes of dry toasted malt and apple wood smoke to them. There is a slight sweetness to the smoke and the aromas are big with some nice depth.

T- The taste of big oak and some nice prune flavors and a bourbon/vanilla flavor to it. There is a soft butterscotch flavor followed by a spicy bourbon note and some bitter hops that finish off the beer nicely.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a soft heat that lingers with the bourbon and hops taste.

D- This beer has a bit more sweetness to the malt which adds more depth to the bourbon and wood. This is a great beer for the winter months ahead. It will pair well with a warm fire, cold winter nights and perhaps a cigar.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2007 18:04:46 | More by rhoadsrage

SammyDavisJrJrJr

Illinois

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

Could there be any better way to spend a day off? Homebrewing while drinking a Founders limited release in the morning, visiting a brewery (Flossmoor) for the first time in the afternoon. Into to Affigem Goblet...

A - A dark, thick looking beer with amber tints. A small amount of head pokes out through this thickness, and leaves a small ring of head.

S - The very expressive bourbon (vanilla, smoke, cherry) qualities mix well with the slight peat smoke from the Bastard, Very enjoyable.

T - The flavor that wins the race to hit my tongue first was the scotch-ale like sweetness, and it blended quickly with the cherry flavors from the bourbon barrels. Smoke mixed in at midpalate, and helps balance this beer out at this point. At the swallow, I was hit with alcohol and peat. The peat lasts well into the finish, where the hops balanced everything out, and left with cherry, peat, hops, and some spice. Focused and tasty, very enjoyable.

M - Full and silky, basically what you would expect from a big beer like this.

D - This was really good, but I would say that the bourbon did overwhelm the scotch ale. I don't know if this would be any better, but I am curious is this beer would have worked better with more balance between the two.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2007 18:14:17 | More by SammyDavisJrJrJr

schusterbauer

Michigan

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

Sweet aromas of brandy, smoke, and caramel, just strong enough to tickle the sinuses, but no burning sensation. Soft, smooth body, tastes of custard, caramel, rotten apple peels, and Makers Mark. My burps taste like the Creme Brulee I had at Assagi last night.

Some might call this the latest Founders monstrosity, but I promise it's nowhere near as bruising as other "big" Founders beers, and it's a nice escape from a dreary fall afternoon. (Leave it to Michiganders to know the antidote to Michigan weather!)

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2007 22:53:30 | More by schusterbauer

kirok1999

Ohio

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

Pours a very nice light brown with some ruby edges, no noticable head and very little lacing. Smell is really nice, chocolate, toffee, bourbon.
Taste is nicely sweet, starts with a mild chocolate note backed up by the toffee sweetness. The bourbon is noticable but not overpowering. There's some wood notes as well but this mostly about the sweetness. The alcohol is slightly noticable but very pleasant.
Very drinkable, too bad it's so rare.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2007 22:44:45 | More by kirok1999

Wildman

Ohio

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

This beer poured a clear very dark red amber color and formed a nice foamy off white head that left laticed lace as it subsided. Very little carbonation was present. An aroma of malt, smoke/wood, caramel and lightly of cherry. The flavor was of malt, chocolate and again the woody/smoke probably from the cask aging. The the body was medium light and the finish was slightly burnt.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 01:28:08 | More by Wildman

Osiris9588

Ohio

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

12oz bottle, no date. Pours a clear mahogany with very little head of which to speak, just a thin off-white layer on the surface.

The aroma consists of molasses, cherry, vanilla, and some anise. These carry over into the flavor, along with some rock candy and a touch of toasted malt--very nice, well balanced and not syrupy. Along with the sweetness, it's still has a nice smokiness to it.

It's medium bodied with a creamy, and just slightly sticky, mouth--but it's just right, well balanced and very active on the palate. It's drinkable, but probably not a session brew. It's more of a desert beer. It would make one hell of an ice cream float. Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2007 21:42:34 | More by Osiris9588

kajerm

Illinois

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

Surprise growler pour at DL day 2007. This is officially the best day ever.

Pours dark reddish-brown. The aroma is woody with a strong malt presence; vanilla and alcohol are also present. Tastes like it smells, malty, complex, and awesomely balanced.

Mouthfeel is thick and creamy. This is an awesome Wee Heavy.

Can't remember who it was who was roaming around with a growler of this, but thank you very, very much.

Serving type: growler

05-01-2007 05:28:06 | More by kajerm