Founders Doom - Founders Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very nice DIPA and a marvellous cask, enjoyed with Dave, an owner of Founders, at the brewery. Wonderful bourbon smell, this was top notch ingredients used, smooth bitterness that was well integrated with the secondary whisky notes. A Smooth drinker, and good mouthfeel for a cask.

Serving type: cask

08-07-2009 20:27:31 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Golden honeyish orange with a slim slice of ivory colored cream that faded to a broken film in mere minutes. Even though very little lace graced the glass in the end, the beer did look pretty good in a balloon snifter. $5 for an 8 ounce pour.

As it happened, aroma was the beer's best feature. It was impressively hoppy, with loads of pineapple, orange and lemon that was powerfully pungent. Alcohol was barely noted, which was yet another plus. Simcoe was a no-brainer. The bartender (after talking with the brewer) stated that Amarillo and Summit are the other members of the hop bill.

For whatever reason, hops were much less prominent on the palate and alcohol was more prominent. The ale smoothed out a little over time (it was served too cold), but hop flavor never did increase, as I'd hoped it would. Call me crazy, but a DIPA named Hand Of Doom ought to pummel the tongue in merciless fashion.

Nothing darker than sugary pale malt was appreciated. Flavors otherwise included candied grapefruit, pineapple, orange and lemon. Unfortunately, flavor intensity left quite a bit to be desired. The alcohol wasn't as well-masked as it should have been. It added a solvent-like flavor and was warm enough to begin numbing the tongue by the bottom half of the glass.

The body/mouthfeel was a fraction lighter than medium for the style and was as smooth as possible given the rampant ethanol. Lightly sparkly bubbles added just the right amount of lift.

Given the rest of the Founders lineup (including the outstanding Double Trouble), Hand Of Doom is a disappointing effort. An American DIPA that doesn't taste very hoppy isn't much of an American DIPA. It's as simple as that.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2009 10:31:44 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

decent lace. Lots of carbonation, tiny bit of sediment, only real loss of score here would be on the lack of head. Smell was classic Hop Bomb, deep pine resin, with a strong alcohol presence upon first smell, as it warmed some of the more subtle scents started to come through, a slight sugary sweetness and citrus, specifically grapefruit were now there to be found. Overall smell was very nice, not over powering, but did have enough to tingle the nose a bit. Taste was very crisp, clean, and warming. Alcohol was a big factor in the beginning again, with a huge pine hop hit. Letting it warm brings out the malt that was trying to balance it with a bit of sweetness, but is still overpowered by the hops. This was a very good brew, and I am glad I got to try it. A

Serving type: growler

08-24-2011 03:37:43 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Arrives with a hazy honey color and a modest head (as this was a 6 oz. pour and I was glad for that); streaks of lace

Smell: Oaky bourbon battles with citrusy hops

Taste: The vanilla, oak and Bourbon flavors jump out immediately and while the citrus tries to break through, it ultimately gives up by mid-palate; after the swallow, the beer tastes mostly of Bourbon, with only the vaguest notion that there is a DIPA lingering underneath

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: An interesting experiment and while I like some Bourbon barrel beers, this one is just not up my alley

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2009 00:38:07 | More by brentk56

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.21/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

And let the point, counter-point begin! Do you prefer IPAs fresh and unadulturated? Do you like barrel aging? Or better yet- bourbon barrel aging? Does that age take away from the hops or round them out? How does that balance play out? ...Doom takes you through all that range of preferences, all the while seducing you against your will.

Like syrupy caramel, the ale pours golden honey-amber and carries the standard hoppy haze. Releasing a creamy textured, ivory colored head, the tight knit sheet pulls apart to form a necklace around the glass before retaining the session. Light on lace, the alcohol-laden ale prefers cognac-like appearances... deservingly so.

Bold boubony aromas are reinforced by caramel and toffee before being wrapped by citrus and pine hop scents. Candied in its character, the ale brings in fragrant oak, vanilla, almond, marshmallow, and coconut. The balance of grapefruit and pine ismore than just supportive- those hop notes command the stage as well.

But then there's the taste. The rich caramel, bourbon, and vanilla flavors layer on the tongue heavy and in saturating fashion. Candied almonds, coconut, and sweet cream only reaffirm the beer's malty-rich upstart. But the late middle palate allows for a rise of citrus peels and piths to pierce the malt and balance the beer with ease. A late charge of strong oak, bourbon tannin and cherry-like alcohol keep the complex alcohol taste coming.

Though an IPA, the ale carries the body of an American Barleywine because of its supreme sweet and savory underpinnings- yet with its dryish charm from alcohol, hop resins, and toasted hop and oak underpinnings. Though strongly warm, the beer lingers with a marshmallowy creaminess and grassy hop bite that keeps the beer balanced even in the deepest of aftertastes.

Because the bourbon barrels have rubbed off the fresh and sharp edges of hops and then supplanted them with bourbon booziness, the beer sides heavily with American-style Barleywines. I don't see it as any type of IPA, but as an American strong barley-focused, boubon barrel layered, and hop infused ale of ultimate complexity. And I celebrate it very well in this arena.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 06:38:24 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.96/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Glad to get one of the few bottles that Roger has over at Bestway.Poured into an imperial nonic a...like others have notes a honey tinged lighter golden with a nicely formed half finger white head atop that left multiple broken rings of lace behind as it settled.Aromas were lighter than expected but some nice vanilla/bourbon and sweet fruity notes were there,the hops were somewhat subdued giving off light resiny notes.One thing I will say about the flavor profile is that the bourbon barrel is a major flavor component but it doesn't smack you in the face,all the flavors seem to be more subtle but still providing enough.The hops are more leafy and slightly citric,a good shot of peppery spice hits in the back end.Not in your face bourbon or alcohol in my opinion but neither are the hops,a very good beer with out big hops.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 22:13:25 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Local Option cervoise.

Now all we need is some armor and some scars for it to cover... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly-glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises pineapple, papaya, light vanilla, coconut, very light maple syrup, a hint of bourbon, light caramel, and a bit of white grapes. There's a general sense of some sort of pineapple upside-down cake desert coated in liquor. Very nice. The taste holds notes of pine resin, heavy cream, light caramel, light biscuit, very light pineapple, odd bourbon (I can't really describe what I mean by "off", but I guess old or watered-down might approach what I'm tasting), very light wood, and a bit of mint throughout the finish. The body is a solid medium, with a light-moderate carbonation and a sticky finish. Overall, a tasty barrel-aged IPA, one that ought to silence whatever preemptive haters that came out of the woodwork when this release was announced.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 05:30:40 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a nice golden color with a 1/2" white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome. It has a wonderful mix of maple syrup, pale malts, hops, and wood. It's bitter as hell with a very nice sugary aroma. The taste is great as well. It's loaded for bear with hops and barrel character. I'm a big fan of the maple barrels. It has a solid pale malt base, but the talent lies in these "candied hops". It a term often used with this beer and it pretty well describes the experience. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. Just another quality offering from Founders. They have produced some of the most interesting beers of NoTB.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2010 19:21:23 | More by WesWes

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured out as a slightly cloudy golden color with a pretty nice white head on top. The retention is thin but holds up pretty well. The lacing is spotted. The smell of the beer is sweet and hoppy, it's got that common barrel aged aroma that Founders seems to always bring to the table. The taste is sweet with malt, honey and bourbon. There is a slightly sharp bitterness in there balancing everything out. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, lightly carbonated, smooth and boozy. Overall it's a pretty good brew, I was interested in trying it and I'm glad I did. The balance is really interesting here. Starts almost like a barrel aged barely wine then finishes with the resin-like aftertaste of the IIPA. Worth trying if the price is right.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:23:47 | More by Knapp85

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

1.55/5  rDev -62.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Well thankfully everyone else seems to have enjoyed this one. I on the other hand (and everyone one else drinking it with me at the same time), did not.

Pours nice enough I guess with a clouded gold. Everything is downhill from there. All I get is a burning sensation as if the beer was mixed with rubbing alcohol or some solvent. I guess the barrel is to blame for this, but it is completely abrasive and undrinkable. All DIPA characteristics are also overshadowed by this harsh bite. Hopefully this was just a bad keg, but I waited 15 minutes in line at a bar to get this and there were 7 Founders employees in the house (all of whom got to skip in front of us waiting in line lol...). There is really no excuse for this one. Atrocious.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2009 01:50:25 | More by RblWthACoz

mdfb79

New York

3.79/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From 04/27/13 notes. Bottle Shared by nmann08; thanks a lot Nate. Had a 2 oz. sample of this at NOTB but glad to actually review it.

a - Pours a hazy golden-orange color with one finger of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of bourbon, alcohol, vanilla, caramel malts, toffee, oak, burnt malts, toasted malts, butterscotch, and light fruit. Lot of bourbon up front, and some alcohol to it, which hurts it a bit in my mind.

t - Tastes of bourbon, alcohol, caramel malts, toffee, raisins, oak, vanilla, toasted malts, burnt malts, roasted notes, molasses, and sugar. Sweeter than the nose and a lot of alcohol again.

m - Medium to thick body and moderate carbonation. Some alcohol heat in the taste, otherwise nice.

o - Overall a decent beer, but disappointing to me. I like bourbon beers but right now this is a bourbon bomb, with a lot of alcohol coming through in both the taste, nose, and mouthfeel. Will probably be better with some time on it, but this is basically a barleywine to me; I didn't get many IPA characteristics. Would have it again but wouldn't seek it out as it's hard to find around here.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 20:08:33 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this amazing beer thanks to levifunk, in a special hand and CO2 counter pressure filled bottle.

A: Light fizzy head disappears quickly, hazy murky golden orange tangerine colored beer.

N: Holy f*CK!!! This thing is awesome! Tons of citrus hops, orange peel, grapefruit, tangerine, little pine, juicy chewy hops, little chewy malt, sweet hop aromas, little nougat and grassy spicy hops, hops galore!

T: Thick, lots of pineapple actually, wtf! It's crazy delicious! Tangerine, grapefruit, orange, citrus, sweet malts, thick, some warming booze, little malty caramel & chewy malts as well as chewy hops, heavy on the IBU side, ridiculous bitterness, sweet malts with some nougat, amazing balance of great hops and malts.

M: Thick but not syrupy, lower but decent carbonation.

F: Very bitter! Long bitterness with lots of tropical fruits lingering, pineapple, citrus, orange, nectarine, and even grapefruit lingering. Chewy malts and hops also stay with the sweet nectar flavors, and a slight alcohol feel. Very tasty beer, one of my fav Imp IPAs ever! Thanks a ton Levi!

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2010 03:56:02 | More by jlindros

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on tap at TJ's...
Appears a semi transparent light gold with an orange hue when held to the light. A small head of white fluff fades onto a gentle cap. Tons of scattered lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of vanilla, toffee, bourbon, rum, grapefruit, and orange.
Taste is of the aromas with more of a bitter herbal flavor pulling through on top of the bourbon goodness.
Mouthfeel is sexy smooth sugar and silky with a medium-full bodied flavor, and a dry, wood like finish. A bit of heat is noticeable.
Damn fine beverage if Ive ever had one!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2009 17:17:39 | More by weeare138

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on draft at Capone's on 11/28/2009.

Pours a very dark hazelnut/chestnut brown with subtle touches of plum hues when held to a light source and a .5 finger off-white foam head that quickly dissipates into a very thin ring. Very sporadic minimal spots of lacing.

Subtle bourbon aroma with hints of vanilla as well as some caramel/chocolate malt. Hints of hazelnut, toffee and some coffee but I'm not picking much of a hop presence.

The hoppy floral notes absent from the aroma are prominent up front with some nice citrus notes and dry pine flavor. This is quickly balanced by a smooth silky chocolate maltiness with hints of toffee and hazelnut. The bourbon character comes through really nicely midway through and lasts throughout into a lingering sweet finish. The bourbon character is not overpowering, letting the complex flavors from the hops shine through even in the finish where the bourbon flavor is most prominent. There are still some dry pine and citrus notes in the finish. Very complex and more balanced than I expected. The alcohol is very well masked and there is not much heat/warmth making it pretty drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 14:18:29 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I don't even want to ask how the South Philly Taproom managed to get any of this stuff, but I just thank my lucky stars I was able to try it.

The beer pours a rich honey gold color, with OK head retention and lacing. On the nose.... geez loueeze.... now how in the world did founders manage to make a beer that smells like this? The beer has an exotic aroma of sweet mandarin orange with a significant underlying component of hoppy bitterness. There is also some exotic aromas of mango and papaya, giving this beer a gorgeous nose that is nearly off the charts. The flavors on the palate replicate the nose, yet amazingly the beer manages to stay fairly dry on the finish, despite some moderate honey sweetness. The alcohol is incredibly well disguised, and the mouthfeel is no more then medium bodied. This beer is incredibly light on it's feet for such a big beer, though the exotic fruit flavors and the sweetness detract from the drinkability ever so slightly.

Wow! Just incredible stuff from Founders. Bravo! This is quite well done.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 23:26:45 | More by johnmichaelsen

Brad007

Vermont

3.71/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours a marvelous golden color with a white head and plenty of lacing left behind it. Love the name!

A big 'ol shot of bourbon on the nose. Whooo boy, that sure is a heck lotta bourbon! Where's the hops?

Now we're talking. Lots of pine tar upfront. Bourbon is there but it takes a backseat as it should.

Gooey, sticky pine tar, infused with bourbon, coats the mouth. An interesting contrast. Surprisingly absent is a strong dose of alcohol heat.

As good as a bourbon-infused DIPA is going to get. I won't buy into the hype but I will say that this is pretty damn balanced. SIP IT!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:57:54 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.11/5  rDev -24%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Draft offering at Al's of Hampden served in a snifter. The brew pours a beautiful polished clarity of amber orange with a finger of quickly dissolving white head. A swirl revies a finger and paints spots of lacing effect on the glass.

The aroma is what you would expect. As advertised, it smells of vanilla from the barrel aging blended with a fruity note of hops/alcohol. As more smells are taken, it gets progressively more solvent/fusel with the vanilla character almost coming across fake and candy-like.

The flavor of this brew is an absolute trainwreck. The first couple of sips arnt that bad and by a couple of sips I mean an ounce or 2. The vanilla inclusion is present but it blends into solvent alcohol that immediately tastes like burnett's bottom shelf vodka. (You know, that vodka that costs like $5 a gallon.) The interplay between artificial tasting vanilla, neutral alcohol and faint hop inclusion makes for a very clashing brew that just isnt that good.

This is a medium bodied brew with a moderate amount of carbonation. I was really excited for this one and really wanted to like it. However, I am glad I got to try this on draft at a modest price. Had I shelled out the money for a 22oz bottle of this I would be pissed. I dont know whats going on at Founders but these past 2 backstage releases have been borderline atrocious. Unless you like 1-noted alcohol bombs, this should be avoided.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 00:05:59 | More by stakem

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.24/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A nicely balanced and very full flavored beer. I'm usually somewhat leery of oak aged IPAs, both because I don't want my IPAs aged at all, and because I think the oak can often overwhelm the hops in a nice IPA. This beer- luckily- strides the line between the hops and the oak. Nice bold citrus and pine flavors from the hops, and tannic wood notes coupled with some vanilla from the oak as well that marries nicely on the finish. The aromas are lovely as well, with an additional light stone fruit note that marries well with the creamy vanilla and citrus. A very deft hand with the oak here has produced an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 20:33:40 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.16/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

White head. Color is a slight hazed golden orange.

Flavor profile is a nice coconut flavor up front. Really delicious. A lot of tropical fruits. Grapefruit citrus and pineapple. It has a wood/oak and maple flavor. A bit of bready and caramel malts show, but it is mainly tropical and citrus flavors. The hop profile is floral.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and clean at first, but it ends sticky. Medium bodied. Good amount of carbonation.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. It still had a bright citrusy flavor and it wasn't all malts. The barrel flavors were really nice. The coconut was awesome!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:24:15 | More by mothman

jrallen34

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I had this on tap into a tasting glass at NotB.

The beer is light gold with a hint of orange. Not much carbonation here at all, looks thick.

The aroma is super strong and dominated by hops. Its the strong grain alcohol hops of an imperial that is either great or too strong like in this beer. There is the slightest citrus note at the end.

Like the aroma the taste is way too grain alcohol hoppy sucking on a pine needle pine cone bitter. Some people love this, but for the all around beer drinker its not a pleaseant taste, feeling or experience. Its not at all balanced which if only it was might make this beer drinkable.

The feel is actually pretty nice.

Overall, another too hopped up imperial that is going for all ibu's and nothign else.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 19:47:27 | More by jrallen34

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I had this on tap at Al's of Hampden, enjoyed chilled in a snifter and allowed to gradually increase in temperature for a while.

The color is tangerine with light hazed and translucent clarity with a thin white cap which falls to a ring of tiny beads. The smell is very aromatic with hop scents and light oak with some bourbon sweetness and alcohol esters. The feel is decent but it is at the realm where the alcohol starts to eclipse the bitterness and the carbonation is moderate so you get a little tannin from the wood with a drying bourbon finish.

I was pleased to have this again since the last time it was good, but I didn't take any notes and the thing I like about this is that neither the barrel aging or the base double trouble in the mix really steals the show. They both work together in a synergistic way allowing the citrus and tangy tropical hops with light floral elements to blend with a woody and mildly alcohol influenced taste from the bourbon with some mild malt to keep from becoming too harsh. I was glad I got to try this and the expecetations were reached and surpassed from the memory of a taste I enjoyed over 5 years ago. I like the way Founders was able to pull off such an unusual combination of bourbon barrel aging and Imperial IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 16:23:22 | More by Slatetank

kylehay2004

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Not much head on a clear golden with burnt orange hues body. Not much lacing. Aroma is mild and simple with oak, earthy and slightly herbal hops and mild caramel malts with some candied orange. A lot of whiskey and oak sweetness throughout with a still noticeable caramel malt base. It's interesting how this one remains fairly bourbony without being too boozy but still has a booze sharpness and burn. The hops are mostly earthy with some tart citrus. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. The carbonation seems a little strong. Nice balance between the barrel aging and hops.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:33:37 | More by kylehay2004

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this on tap at the Founders brewpub, 8oz pour into a snifter. The beer is light orange colored, clear, with very little head and no lacing. The aroma reminded me of Double Trouble, plus extra alcohol. Grapefruit, pineapple, maybe a little lemon, it seemed like the characteristics of several different hops were involved, and definitely enough fermentables were included to make a savage ABV (based on smell). It was tasty but a little too hot, the burning mouthfeel made it more of a sipper than I'd have preferred for a DIPA. Definitely less accessible than I'd hoped, after first hearing about this beer 6 months ago I'd hoped for more.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2009 02:42:45 | More by TurdFurgison

DefenCorps

Oregon

2.85/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

On tap at Capone's yesterday.

Clear orange in color, my 13oz pour of this beer shows excellent clarity and a thin white head is present, receding to a disk rather quick, leaving a little lace. The nose is great, really reminding me of Double Trouble, with citrus and pineapple present with plenty of bright citrus character. Malt character is reserved/non-existent. As this beer warms up, the vanilla and bourbon grow in strength, along with a mild caramel sweetness. The flavor palate opens with a strange combination of hop flavor and booze. The hop character is quite excellent, with pineapple,citrus, lemon and floral character. Malt sweetness is minimal. Vanilla and bourbon are present mid-palate, with the booze lingering on the finish. Bitterness is low, this is all about the flavor hops. The light body, medium carbonation and great hop flavor with low bitterness make for an extremely drinkable beer, but the bourbon heat just detracts from what is an excellent base beer. Why does a DIPA need to be aged in a bourbon barrel?
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 3.5
Reviewed on: 11-28-2009 17:57:09

*Edit: I tried it again at Pizzeria Paradiso on 25 July 2010. The bourbon and oak just don't do it for me, there's too much heat, vanilla and tannins. I couldn't drink more than 2 sips. I'm reducing scores accordingly

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2009 17:57:09 | More by DefenCorps

nickfl

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours with two fingers of white foam on top of a lightly hazy, copper colored body. The foam settles at a moderate lace and leaves thick lace.

S - Pine, vanilla, caramel, and citrus.

T - Thick, sweet malt up front with some vanilla. Pine and grapefruit in the middle with a finish of grapefruit pith, oak, and whiskey.

M - A syrupy body, moderate carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Like most other bourbon barrel IPAs I've had, this just doesn't work that well. For whatever reason the hops and bourbon clash and while the beer is drinkable enough, I can't help but think the barrels should have been saved for a stout or barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:32:24 | More by nickfl