Founders Backwoods Bastard - Founders Brewing Company

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.39/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz bottle into Crooked Stave tulip. Pours a deep brown amber with a thin slightly of white head. Awesome sweet malt and big booze aroma. Some cooked caramel/melted sugar notes.
Flavor is fantastic. Sweet caramel malts, lots of chocolate, booze, scotch, and hints of vanilla and charred barrel. Really smooth...I mean such an easy drinker. What an awesome and amazing example of the style. Worth the wait for it every year. Everyone should have this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 21:52:56 | More by DrinkSlurm

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I'll just say this is one of my favorite scotch/wee heavy's out there. No doubt the bourbon barrels did wonders with a style I'm kinda meh towards. Pours out a substantial dark brown pour, earthy, beige head, somewhat thin on the top, but probably better than average for anything that aged in a bourbon barrel.

Smell is nice and luxurious. Bourbon, plenty of oak, vanilla and caramel throughout the aroma. Pleasant and not heavy or boozy.

Taste, smooth, again, more of that caramel, vanilla, bourbon and oak mixture, the base beer is just right to soak it all up and not compete, but peacefully coexist with all the aforementioned flavors. The right amount of malt sweetness to it. This really takes a less than interesting dirty bastard and makes it an excellent beer. I think this beer might be disappointing to a big fan of scotch ales, but a big turn on to someone who isn't really into that style, but likes bourbon barrels for flavoring.

Drank during the Christmas 2012 poker game.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 19:07:50 | More by Beerandraiderfan

fmccormi

New York

4.06/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Straight pour from a 12oz pry-off bottle to a Cigar City snifter; bottling date of September 28, 2012 printed in yellow ink on the neck of the bottle (“BOTTLED 09/28/12”). So, a little under four months old.

Appearance (3.5): Maybe half a finger of light tan head comes off the pour, briefly capping a deep, deep chestnut-brown body that’s slightly hazy, and shows some reddish hues when held up to the light (think garnet). Very little retention and essentially no lacing. Attractive body, but the head’s lacking, even for a style that doesn’t particularly count on it.

Smell (3.75): Strong oaky, vanilla tones with that sweet fruitiness from the bourbon that always comes off as apple juice to me are most prominent here, half-covering the rich, thick malt character of the base beer: dates, molasses, fruit cake, toffee, and some caramel. The nose is full and right on for the style, but the bourbon isn’t as well integrated as I’d like.

Taste (4.25): Fortunately, the flavor is quite a bit better than either the appearance or nose. Those dark fruit, toffee, and fruit cake flavors mix well with each other and harmonize with the smooth oak character, folding the vanilla tones into the palate nicely. The oak, vanilla, and apple juice are all there—they just jive better this time than they did in the nose. Also, the strong, spicy alcohol character of this beer cuts through the maltiness at first, but then turns to vapor and dries out the finish modestly. The alcohol sticks around, but for a beer this size it fits the bill well and I welcome it. Definitely smoother as it warms.

Mouthfeel (4.25): Moderately full-feeling, with a viscous but not syrupy feel—but that alcohol burn sure does lighten it up a bit. The carbonation is very subtle, fitting the palate very nicely: just a soft, gentle, very low-key velvetiness acts a base for the body’s viscosity, foaming moderately on the way down.

Overall (4.0): It has some flaws, in my mind, but nothing crucial—I’m just not the biggest fan of most bourbon barrel-aged beers. And while this beer does very well with the barrels, I just don’t necessarily like what bourbon barrels bring to a lot of the beers aged in them. This however does a good job. Also, it’s much, much better overall after it warms up more than a bit, and it becomes a very pleasant sipper.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:22:21 | More by fmccormi

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

mfavoino

Washington

4.16/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Treebs for the share. Enjoyed on 12/30/12.

A: Deep amber appearance with an off white head. Fairly clear and looks nice with the light shining through it.

S: Big bourbon nose, cherry, and rich malt aromas.

T: Follows the nose with the huge bourbon flavor. Dark fruits easy to pick up and a sweet, rich caramel malt backbone. Touch of booze hotness.

M: Medium-bodied, light carbonation, a little hot as it finishes.

O: Huge bourbon flavor, but doesn't mask the other flavors from the base.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 04:43:28 | More by mfavoino

TallSaint

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.68/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

13/01/13 at home

Poured into a snifter with a thin head.

Brown sugar, booze, bourbon and butterscotch in the nose. Exceptional.

It's brilliantly balanced. Upfront brown sugar, shortbread and a bourbon welcome the palate. Maple-syrup, dark fruits and a touch of (good) diacetyl come through in the mid-palate. It ends with bourbon sweetness and booze.

An exceptional beer that is brilliantly balanced. Sweet caramel, shortbread, brown sugar and dark fruits are balanced by booze, bourbon and wood. I wish the mouthfeel was a bit creamier but I could not ask for anything more. A beer that is so much fun to drink, especially at 10.2% abv, wish I had more.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 03:21:31 | More by TallSaint

beerdrifter

Germany

4.59/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up in a great trade with Evan! Beautiful mahogany pour with a hint of ruby when held to the light. One and a half finger head with decent retention and great lacing. Big buttery, woody nose with hints of butterscotch, vanilla, oak, and bourbon. The taste is extremely unique and unlike any other beer I've had. Tons of oak, butterscotch and creamy caramel along with hints of bourbon, toffee, tobacco, and just a touch of dark fruit. The mouthfeel is the only perfect 5 I've ever given. It's totally incredible! Smooth and creamy with a touch of oil and a spicy, warming finish. This was an extra in my trade so I have to thank Evan as I may have never tried it if it wasn't for him! Another mind-blowing beer from my favorite brewery!

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 17:51:56 | More by beerdrifter

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 9/23/12

A: Deep, dark amber-brown with yeast suspended throughout. Bubbly, skimpy off-white head that builds very quickly and fades just as quickly. A small ring of foam hangs around along with beautiful wisps of foam on top of the viscous liquid. A quick whirl in the glass brings about a thin layer of foam that fades fast.

S: Buttery, deliciously woody bourbon. Wood, earth, must, vanilla, booze. You get the malty sweetness from the base Scotch Ale. You could get buzzed just from smelling this thing.

T: Holy. Sh*t. F*ck. Bourbon. Buttery, woody, sugary, sweet, malty. Salted caramel. Never overly sweet or bourbon-y, this has so much complexity and amazing layers of flavor. So balanced yet so wood, barrel, and bourbon forward. The Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy is a perfect candidate for barrel treatment. It never loses its true character but allows the bourbon to take center stage. Exquisite.

M: Ahhh...one of the smoothest beers I've had. Thick, viscous, sweet, exploding with flavor. Top notch. The body is luscious. That's the only word I can think of.

O: A very special treat. An obvious upgrade to an already awesome beer. Founders is known to be talented with barrels at their disposal and this only enhances that reputation. Extremely well-crafted with the bourbon character incorporated/infused perfectly. An absolute pleasure to drink. Unbelievable. Damn!

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 00:33:43 | More by Gatch

BB1313

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled on 10/5/12. 12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours a transparent dark auburn with a small off white head which fades quickly, but is expected with the barrel treatment. It does leave some decent lacing. The aromas are full of chocolate, maple, oak, caramel, vanilla and bourbon. The bourbon isn't overpowering, but blends harmoniously. The flavors are very rustic and earthy. Lots of chocolate and caramel malts. Very rich and malty. Lots of wood. The flavors have a very nice sweetness going on that lingers. The bourbon comes through alot more in the flavors. It's almost boozy, but it's not, although there's a touch of heat. Finishes warm and syrupy, but clean and dry. The mouthfeel is extremely nice. It's syrupy slick, but light and fluffy. Very creamy with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel makes this beer dangerously drinkable. Despite some heat here and there, the alcohol ultimately goes unnoticed. It's a nice beer to sip and savor.

Very nice beer from Founders. The craftsmanship is impressive. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 19:32:44 | More by BB1313

Justin_Neff

Ohio

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

Bottled: 10/05/12 - poured into a CCB Snifter

A: Aggressively pours a dark, dark copper color with 2-finger light beige colored head that sticks around for a few minutes. Leaves a beautiful thin layer of foam around the top of the beer, and a nice, thick lacing on the glass.

S: Initial woft is overwhelming bourbon. Followed up by oakiness and some dark fruit scents. Definite sweet smells on the finish.

T: At the onset, there is malty, caramel, sweet tastes that smell would lead you to expect. There is definite bourbon taste, but the oak, caramel, and surprising vanilla tastes balance it amazingly. This is incredible.

M: A little thinner than you would expect from vision and smell. A low level of carbonation, but decent creaminess. Actually surprising how drinkable it is.

O: Absolutely worth the price tag. Hard to track down, but definitely worth the hunt. Probably my favorite Founders brew to date. Wee Heavy is one of my favorite styles, and this one is at the top of the style for me. It's amazing how the vanilla and caramel notes balance the bourbon and oak. VERY GOOD.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 01:07:44 | More by Justin_Neff

bushbeer75

Michigan

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

12 oz brown bottle - 2012 vintage

Founders Backwoods Bastard filled my snifter with a cloudy dark reddish-brown/amber color that produced a very thin slightly bubbly tan head that faded to nothing quickly. The nose is first hit with sweet caramel malt followed by a pleasant bourbon aroma. The flavor of caramel, brown sugar, and a light cherry chocolate hit the taste buds first. The taste is where the bourbon really comes out adding a nice warming finish. Mouth feel is medium, a little chewy and lightly sticky to add to the enjoyment. The smooth ale is very easy to drink for such a high abv.

Backwoods Bastard is like Founder’s Dirty Bastard’s big brother that has spent time soaking in bourbon barrels. Cheers to soaking in bourbon barrels!! Well done Founders.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 18:11:37 | More by bushbeer75

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

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

$4 single from Abe's.

Red amber body, little clarity, with a minimal head that rapidly decayed into an oil slick.

Aroma is sweet malt, bourbon and vanilla. Big and powerful. Inviting and frightening at he same time.

Taste is big sweet malt with plenty of depth. Then the bourbon with notes of vanilla. Just not as big as I was expecting.

Rich medium mouthfeel.

A malt lover's dream.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 07:01:47 | More by RonfromJersey

sjones5045

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Founders has perfected bourbon barrel aging and with this beer they proved it once again. Now, what is different here is that it's truly unique to have a non stout/dark beer pull off such a smooth tasty flavor with such a high ABV. Once you crack the bottle the smell of malt and bourbon overwhelm and you know you're in for a very different experience. The taste of the base Dirty Bastard is present and it meshes extremely well with the sweet malt and bourbon to create a top notch smooth scotch ale. Overall, it's a must have and one of the best beers Founders has created.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 03:04:12 | More by sjones5045

brewskifan55

Mississippi

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. Thanks, cvm4.

A: Apricot amber. Not much head or lacing.

S: The barrel aged bourbon comes rumbling through. Strong and inviting.

T: Whoa! Bourbon rich with vanilla and caramel. A biting good finish. Alcohol seeps in with a 10.2 buzz. Sweet, robust. Reminds me of a Red Brick 17th Anniversary.

M: Light with low carbonation.

O: A fabulous sipper. One to celebrate with. Slow down and taste the burn.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 15:29:51 | More by brewskifan55

whynot44

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very nice bright clear amber red color with a small short lived frothy head.

Very definite bourbon aroma with hints of oak, plums, and caramel.

The taste is dominated by bourbon and caramel malt with hints of plum and vanilla, lots of alcohol warmth in the finish, very rich and pleasant.

Moderately heavy body, very smooth mouth feel goes perfectly with the taste and aroma.

Overall, another excellent brew from founders, very enjoyable, especially for colder weather.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 03:20:11 | More by whynot44

emyers

Illinois

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

12 oz. bottle poured into a Founders snifter. Bottled on 10/5/12.

Appearance: Deep, dark ruby with a thin off-white head dissipating quickly. Leaves a very light lacing.

Smell: Bourbon. Followed by some more bourbon. Some caramel, vanilla, oak. And more bourbon. This beer really captures a great bourbon aroma without ever seeming boozy, which bourbon-forward beers often seem. Smells phenomenal (if you like bourbon, of course).

Taste: Bourbon up front (no surprise there), with a pretty strong vanilla flavor along with caramel, oak, and a hint of dark fruit. The bourbon flavor comes off a little bit thinner than the smell would suggest. Alcohol heat is much more apparent here than in the aroma, and takes over the finish a bit along with the oak. Still, this doesn't detract much from the beer given the strong bourbon presence.

Mouthfeel: Relatively thin in body as far as scotch ales go (and particularly the barrel-aged variety), but exceptionally smooth. Although I generally prefer thicker scotch ales, the thinner body on this actually works brilliantly - it really captures the feel of bourbon, which is the dominating theme.

Overall: This is what I would call a bourbon lover's beer. It's excellent - another fine example of Founders' skill with barrels.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 08:04:35 | More by emyers

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 9/28/12 poured into a tulip

A- pours a dark brown, nearly but not quite opaque. Small light tan head that reduces to skim the top, leaving a ring if lace.

S- bourbon notes jump out right off with the oaky characteristics common to bourbon. Some caramel and dark fruity fig, finishes with some sweet vanilla.

T- sweet and malty up front with notes of bourbon and vanilla oak. It then transitions into one of the most authentic caramel tastes that I've ever tried in a beer. Pure and smooth, follows with some dark fig notes and finishes sweet with just a bit more bourbon.

M- heavy body, but not syrupy like I was expecting, moderate carbonation with a slightly creamy-yet-somewhat slick mouthfeel and finish. A little bit of heat warms you up on the finish.

O- it took me a while to get ahold of some of these and I wasn't dissapointed. The caramel notes in this were amazing, I can't wait to put a few of these away for a few years and see how they age.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:23:47 | More by Treyliff

brewtus

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Copied from 11/12/2012 review

12oz bottle pored into brandy sniftener

A-deep amber h brown. Pours with a tiny head that quickly disappears.
S- Dark fruit, oak, some bourbon
T- I get a hit of van ilia and dark dried fruit that makes way to a sweet oak finish.
M- a good thickness to it, given the appearance.
O- this is really smooth for the abv. It's quite sweet and I get the bourbon mostly in the finish. I'm not a huge scotch ale fan, but I love bourbon, and this did not disappoint. I pulled it out of the fridge but as it warmed it got even better. Definitely worth picking up a bottle (even though many stores limit it to buying one oz bottle near me).

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:10:00 | More by brewtus

LeRose

Massachusetts

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

Poured into large tulip. Small, non lasting head that ended as a ring around the surface. The color is beautiful...very deep red, bright and clear. Aroma is of oak tones, earthiness, and wonderful bourbon. The flavor is amazing. No bitterness, a little underlying sweetness, great woody flavors, strong bourbon but not overpowering, maybe a hint of good scotch too. Clean on the palate with a lingering bit of alcohol and bourbon sweetness. Great stuff. This here is sippin' beer...really enjoyable and even better as it warmed. Unfortunately only found one lonely bottle...bummer!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 23:45:00 | More by LeRose

theruckus33

Kansas

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into sniffer

A- 1.4 inch head that dissipates after a minute. Not much lacing, dark rich brown, looks like carbonated bourbon. I mean that positively!

S- Boozy Goodness upfront, dried fruits -especially raisins, and vanilla

T-Upfront bourbon, vanilla, with that nice malty flavor, the hops add a nice rich finish that compliments the worries of alcohol flavor from a high ABV

M- Silky smooth

Overall- Great Beer, but I am not sure I would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 02:24:39 | More by theruckus33

JohnnyMc

Ohio

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

Another Bourbon-Barrel aged beer from Founders!!

Pours out a pretty dark mahogany with ruby highlights and a thin head.

The aroma has a lot of Bourbon, a decent amount of vanilla, oak, caramel, toffee butterscotch and followed by dark fruits like figs and raisins.

The taste has a decent amount of Bourbon right away and that's followed by the caramel, toffee and butterscotch notes and then that blends into a vanilla, slightly smoky and oaky characteristic and on the back end is where all the dark fruit notes are. The bitterness helps balance out the sweetness, but it's not a bitter beer.

It's medium bodied and has a nice rich mouthfeel. You can feel and taste the alcohol, but it enhances the style of the beer.

Very easy to drink and extremely enjoyable young, but I'm going to age a few bottles as well to see how it is in a year or more.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 00:56:26 | More by JohnnyMc

far333

Connecticut

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

Copper mahogany colored with a wispy beige head that barely rises up and runs away quickly. Aroma of smoke and bourbon, some vanilla and caramel. Rich flavors of bourbon and smoke, toffee and caramel, alcohol warmth and sweetness, vanilla and woody notes. Full mouthfeel, low carbonation, tingly, warm. Decent beer overall, very rich.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:22:37 | More by far333

fitrock2112

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Well, here it goes. This is probably one of my top two beers that I've had so far. I keep going from KBS to this and back and forth in a good way.

Poured the luscious liquid from a 12 ounce bottle in to a pint glass.

A - The brown liquid pours nicely with minimal head. The viscosity lets you know that this is a quality Scotch Ale.

S - Bourbon, more bourbon, toffee, roasted malts, and little dark fruit maybe raisin.

T - Ridiculous, this is the shit. The stars have aligned and the gods can now destroy the earth, because I have tasted the nectar of the gods. I'm tasting toffee, bourbon, carmel, roasted malts, butterscotch each fighting for your taste buds but all equally winning their pursuit to blend so evenly. This beer is so well blended for a barrel aged beer that it is hard to comprehend. Wow, just WOW!

M - Smooth medium ale leaning towards a heavy, with just enough carbonation for this style.

O - Unbelievably , just a wonderful beer to sip and enjoy on a cool winter night.
Highly Recommended ! CHEERS!!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 02:08:04 | More by fitrock2112

Jade

Ohio

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

Poured a bottle of Backwoods Bastard into brandy snifter.

A - Medium orange/ amber color, little light passing through. A tiny head of little significance.

S - Candy, bourbon, vanilla, malts. This is going to be good!

T - A fine scotch ale with tasty bourbon-oaky characteristics. Hints of vanilla. Flavor is intense and delicious.

M - Creamy, medium-thick body. A little bite to it which is to be expected at 10.2% ABV.

O - I like some scotch ales, but usually don't seek them out. This is a standout. The aging in the bourbon barrels makes this beer sing. Perfection...no fake bourbon flavor here like a ton of bourbon ales out there. An A+ in my opinion. Seek it out, sit back and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 01:34:04 | More by Jade

oregone

Oregon

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

From a kind trader. 12oz into NB globe:

A: Deep amber to dark caramel. Great head for the style; soft pour yields 1/2" of tightly wound off-white head that lasts. Nice looking brew.
S: Barrel. Oak, vanilla, some caramel malt and then booze. Not bad for a barrel aged brew, but I would like to see the brew part come through more.
T: Immediate alcohol tingles and an oak assault. That peculiar burnt vanilla American oak flavor with some licorice (well, quite a bit), vanilla, burnt caramel, maple etc. Dry though and with a tame sweetness below expectation.
M: Fairly thick. Somewhat hindered by the oak tannins that come through leaving a hint of not bitter but abrasiveness. Carbonation is good and could support a fuller bodied or sweeter brew.
O: Good. I don't think that I'd go out of my way to try again, but I'd happily drink again. I do think that like the early wine industry in the states, some of our breweries have a little something to learn about oak treatment yet. It can say a lot of great things through a great beer, but damn,the beer should be doing the talking.

Update:
Recent 2012 batch.
Maybe it's palate variation, but many of the rough edges here have been tempered.
I still believe that the barrel is a bit too prominent to be amazing as a whole, but a damn good beer that Id definitely be happy to drink again.
Having had two bottles over a couple weeks, I'm comfortable in my review. Solid, but definitely barrel driven.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 23:38:27 | More by oregone