Founders Black Biscuit - Founders Brewing Company

patm1986

New Jersey

4.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Notes: November 2010
Growler from the whole foods beer room in the bowery. GREAT find.

Dark as a damned desert night, man. The head on this baby is nearly gold. A beautiful thick, brown, viscous looking brew. It doesn't poor quite as thickly syrupy as a stout, but it does have a look greater than a porter. Dark, dark.

It smells strongly of coffee, milk chocolate, and bread, with an interesting hint of butter. It smells like biscuits. Maybe that's coming as a result of the name, but it's definitely bready.

Hello burnt rye toast, caramel, chocolate, and a bit of coffee. Hello bourbon-y sweetness. Hello molasses chew. Lovingly smooth without anything much of an overboard roast flavor to suggest strength. Really lovely.

It coats the palate. Smooth, frothy, carbonated like a porter, but the old ale characteristics affect the consistency greatly. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

Love. Love. Really love this. What a treat.

As of this review writing(oct 2011), this isn't offered this year, according to an email I received from founders in response to my inquiry of a 2011 release. Sadness. I really hope this comes back. PLEASE. I'd be more excited to land this than CBS. Really.
Cheers

Serving type: growler

10-30-2011 22:30:25 | More by patm1986

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

32 oz growler shared by capra12 in line at BASC release.

A few months in a well kept growler hasn't been kind to this beer. Still complex, sweet and smooth but most of the maple flavor has faded and a black licorice and molasses flavor has taken over. Slightly oxidized and soft carbonation but still a silky, soft body. Interesting trying some age on this but this beer is never a favorite (though still more enjoyable than Kaiser Curmodgeon)

Serving type: growler

07-16-2011 19:41:28 | More by yourefragile

portia99

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1 liter growler split 4 ways, poured into a New Belgium globe.

A - Pours a clear liquid, deep black in color initially, but when held to the light there is a rich ruby and dark brown color to be seen. A low finger of foamy off-white head lingers for a short time and leaves behind some low lacing.

S - A bit boozy with noticeable bourbon right up front. Vanilla and maple sugary sweetness and some coffee and dark roasted malts.

T - Vanilla, boozey bourbon, coffee, lightly mapled, sugar, fruity/pruney. As it warms a bit and towards the finish of each swallow I really start to get a nice licorice aspect as well.

M - A little thin of medium bodied, very creamy smooth with a lower carbonation level (partly from the growler?). Good alcohol warmth without being hot/burning in the mouth.

O - Opened this as a prelude to our blind imperial stout tasting - ended up being the highlight of the night against some stiff competition. Really enjoyable beer.

Serving type: growler

05-16-2011 13:08:00 | More by portia99

OakedCanuck

Washington

4.43/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Knifestyles for providing me with this 500ml swing-top bottle/growler. A nice rare beer for my 250th review. Thanks Chris!

A - Pours a nice deep black with brown edging. Very little 1/2 finger tan brown head that, to no surprise, was not retained very long. Very minor lacing.

S - Bready, strong chocolate, some smoke, oak, vanilla, molasses

T - Very much the same as the nose. Great maple, molasses, sweet toffee, biscuit/bready malts, vanilla and creamy chocolate. There is a very nice 'earthiness' to this beer, almost musty. Awesome.

M - Semi-flat but decent carb. Medium-heavy, creamy, smooth

O - This is an awesome beer, very deep with lots of flavour layers. A fantastic Old Ale, exactly what you'd expect for the style. If only it was bottled... Great beer.

Serving type: growler

05-09-2011 16:18:37 | More by OakedCanuck

Arbitrator

California

3.53/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

Growler generously shared by alfrantzell. Thanks, Arne.

A: Pours, as you might expect, a pitch black with a small ring of translucence. It's oily looking, with a small mocha head that vanishes quickly into a bead around the rim.

S: When cold, the beer was incredibly rummy, with pronounced molasses, burnt sugar, and toast. As it warmed, it evolved a licorice and mild dark fruit (raisin) aroma. It also has a mild booze presence in the nose; it's not solventy, but you can tell it is hot. It's not an unpleasant aroma; the meatiness is pretty attractive. But I'd say it falls more under Baltic Porter than Old Ale.

T: The taste followed the nose. This is extremely decadent and sweet, bordering on cloying. Molasses and burnt caramel dominate when cold, but raisins and licorice fight their way to the forefront as the beer warms up. I don't know how to taste the 'biscuit' part of the name. The element brings out some toasted oak. I don't pick up much bourbon or vanilla (was this aged in plain oak barrels, then?). It's definitely a bit boozy, though. Again, I'd liken this to a high-octane Baltic Porter. I'm not sure what the "old ale" components are here; I was hoping to find some smoke or tobacco, which are my favorite components in that style. This is a grade better than AleSmith Decadence '10, but it doesn't hold up to Cherry Adam, Matt, or even regular Adam if I had to be honest.

[EDIT: I was informed this was aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. I had trouble picking up either maple or bourbon. Molasses was more dominant for me.]

M: Thick and oily: very heavy beer, with a noticeable heat. Carbonation is low. Its mouthfeel is spot on for a beer of this magnitude. It coats the palate without being impossible to scrub off. The flavors are in good balance.

O: I had very high expectations for this one. I'm a big fan of the Founders stout lineup, particular the base IS, KBS, and CBS. While this isn't a stout, I expected this to follow in the tradition of excellence. Although it was enjoyable to drink, it didn't have the same complex, vibrant flavors as those beers, and its execution is overall lacking. I still find Hair of the Dog to be the gold standard in the Old Ale category.

Serving type: growler

04-21-2011 17:35:31 | More by Arbitrator

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32oz growler into a snifter. Big thanks to Chris for sharing this elusive monster.

A: Clear, dark russet body with a momentary covering of fine tan bubbles. Ok, but nothing to write home about.

S: Sweet, woody, and intense. Dark chocolate, licorice, spirit-soaked oak, molasses, and straight booze. Big, complex, and engaging.

T: Molasses, licorice, coffee, chocolate, oak, vanilla, and plenty of alcohol. The boozy finish is a bit much, and contains a bit of hard-to-define astringency; overall, though, it's quite tasty.

M: Smooth medium body with low, but nicely soft, carbonation.

O: It was telling that nobody at the tasting really reacted strongly to this beer, despite its reputation and limited nature. Yeah, it's a good, strong barrel-aged beer from a terrific brewery, but it really isn't anything all that memorable. I found the anise notes to be compelling, but the ethanol burn far less so. If Founders is going to bottle certain specialties, I think they can do better than Black Biscuit, as tasty as it is.

Cheers!

Serving type: growler

04-13-2011 03:19:58 | More by woosterbill

pmlondrigan

New York

4.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Alex @ decicco's for this, what a real treat. Pours black and thick, with a one finger light tan head. Really nice belgian lace is presented. Whiskey, oak, wet wood, vanilla and caramel notes great your olfactory glands. Altogether the aroma reminds me of a lovely campfire. Smooth rich and thick flavor, big barrel flavor with strong notes of vanilla and caramalized brown sugar. Such an intense malty experiance. A little hot on the way down. So silky and smooth across the palate. This beer is a triumph. I'm sure this is one of my highest rated beers and it is deserving of that honor.

Serving type: growler

04-03-2011 01:03:19 | More by pmlondrigan

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.13/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Definitely the find of my beer career. Growler from Decicco's Ardsley. Poured into a Portsmouth snifter. Shared by schen9303.

A: Standard pour yields a 2.5 finger frothy light mocha head. Beer is a clear dark brown. Lacing is stringy and spotty with good cling. Very attractive overall with a slight deduction for head retention that could use a little work.

S: Nose is light roasted malt, caramel, brown sugar, brownie, cocoa, and some chocolate. Slight bourbon and vanilla characteristics in the background. Aromatic and appreciatively complex.

T: Opens bourbon, honey, molasses, and chocolate. Slight roasted malt character in the middle along with prunes, other dark fruit, and stale hops. Brownie, cocoa powder, and honey at the end with a sweet, brown sugar spice finish and nutty aftertaste. Nothing too outrageous but very well balanced.

M: Medium to full bodied to light carbonation. Slightly bready and robust in the mouth and smooth and silky going down. Easily the smoothest beer at its ABV. Finish is slightly messy with a quick and dry aftertaste. Perfect in every way and the most sessional 10% beer I have ever come across.

O: An extremely hyped beer and deservedly so. Founders Black Biscuit doesn't have the intense flavors to blow you away but it's incredible balance and perfect mouthfeel make it an extremely impressive offering. Not to be missed if you ever come across it.

Serving type: growler

04-02-2011 23:37:20 | More by SpeedwayJim

myatomicpolygon

New York

4.33/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance- pours a rich dark mohogany into my snifter with minimal head but leaves a decent lacing on the glass.

Smell- molasses sweetness up front, with subdued notes of oak, vanilla, bourbon, and smoke all mixed in...kind of reminds me of root beer in some ways.

Taste- much like it smells. There are several layers of taste in this beer. It's sweet, and woody with flavors of bourbon, vanilla, and molasses that are all very well balanced. The molasses really lingers in the finish.

Mouthfeel- thick and oily and warming with mild carbonation. For something with this high of an ABV it is remarkably smooth.

Drinkability- very easy to drink. The sweetness from the molasses really cuts the alcohol burn...but at 10.5% i'd resist the urge to drink more than one or two.

Serving type: growler

12-29-2010 19:39:51 | More by myatomicpolygon

Jmoore50

Nevada

3.73/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

jh1982 got this in a trade and was gracious enough to share it with yours truly. Don't get me wrong, this beer is really good but not as great as everyone was saying when it first came out at the extreme beer festival.

It pours from the growler really thick and oily, just my style. Not really black, but not far off either. With a really hard pour I could not get a head at all, this beer is high in alcohol and thick as hell.

This beer smells like an almond joy candy bar. Great coconut and vanilla coming through hand in hand with cocoa and a bit of burnt malts. Toffee and some caramel come through as well, the boozy character in this is strong but totally enjoyable.

I thought this beer was overly sweet and somewhat muddled. There were lots of different sugars coming from different ingredients. Maple syrup was a huge one, toffee and caramel, some vanilla as well. There is a nice subtle whisky barrel flavor in this that I think brings it up from a total flavor train wreck.

It has a nice oily mouthfeel with a lower level of carbonation. It is cloyingly sweet, a lower level of carbonation, just some little things that add up. Not a bad beer on any level, a beer I would love to buy in a store or even one I would trade for. I was expecting great things and was mildly disappointed.

J

Serving type: growler

12-01-2010 05:55:44 | More by Jmoore50

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

4.8/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to sarro for this 64oz growler, much appreciated! Ticked this beer before but now I get to sit with it. Split w/ roommate, into Newport Storm pint glass.

A- Nice oatmeal cookie head ontop of this dark brown beer. Thin lacing, about a half-finger of dense sandy foam ontop of this.

S- Vanilla, bourbon, a bit of alcohol. Draws you in for another whiff. Inviting.

T- Chocolate covered raisins, molasses/maple, bourbon, vanilla and oak. A bit of cherry. The flavors are very intense, especially the bourbon and maple, but everything is well-rounded and no one flavor outshines the others. Reminds me of a white rum at some points.

M- Heavy, but silky smooth. No real sign of ABV. A Smörgåsbord of flavors.. and they're in perfect harmony. Each sip has me wanting more.

D- Fantastic for the ABV. Glad I'm splitting a growler as this packs a punch, but this stuff is the real deal. A world-class beer, no doubt about it.

PS this needs to be bottled, I think I like this more than CBS. This one seems a bit more intense.

Serving type: growler

11-18-2010 00:54:11 | More by ShogoKawada

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -32.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Got this as an awesome extra from ShawnM213-- He hand-bottled this one and sent it along, like I said, as an EXTRA! Thanks for the chance to try this one man!

Reviewed from notes (in my ongoing effort to get caught up on my reviews!)

Pours a deep brown, almost black with some reddish hints in the legs. No head due to this being a handbottle. No lace either. Color looks good, and I'll give this a decent rating here on the basis that I had an "improper" serving of this beer that was detrimental to the carbonation.

Nose is big booze. Anise and molasses and boozy alcohol and some sort of wood note. The smell is harsh and muddy-- a little unpleasant. Lots of dark malts and a ton of astringent, rubbing alcohol booziness.

Doesn't smell/taste oxidized, but the boozy level is waaay too high for 10.5%!

Taste follows the nose with a little smokiness, woody oakiness, and huge booziness. The sweet malts and other "beer" flavors are lost in a sea of booze.

Mouthfeel is fine-- I'll be generous here again due to the improper serving. Nice nearly full body-- in my case, it needs more carbonation...

Not really feeling this one. Way too hot and harsh. Seems like the flavors don't blends well. Would be happy to try it on tap if I ever come across it! I won't be searching out another hand bottle though!

Serving type: growler

09-15-2010 03:22:54 | More by AleWatcher

mikey711

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

thanks to cory for this one!

A: Dark brown when poured but it sat pretty much black in the glass. nice carbonation level that held nicely for a hand bottle and left some splattered lacing.

S: Lots of biscuit notes with hints of chocolate. lots of toffee and caramel as well. Some butterscotch notes. Some burnt flavors as well. A bit of roasty flavor as well.

T: This is one of the most complex beers have ever tried. the flavor profile starts out with toffee and burnt caramel. it transitions a bit into a roasted bready note with some chocolate notes. Some maple syrup notes and butterscotch

M: A bit on the thin side yet there is still some heat present.

D: This is one to drink slowly. this is my secod time having it and i am enjoying it more now than the first time.

Serving type: growler

08-22-2010 20:50:01 | More by mikey711

largadeer

California

4.33/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to nickd717 for sharing a growler of this long-time want. Dark mahogany brown in the glass, there's a slight translucency and a small tan cap.

The aroma has a big molasses and licorice character at the forefront, some spiciness and boozy bourbon backed by maple syrup sweetness. This smells great.

Black licorice and molasses come through just as strongly on the palate, and there's an equally prominent note of rootbeer-like spiciness, it's almost peppery. Orange peel-like fruitiness and bitter roasted malt appear toward the finish, along with an earthy, spicy quality that makes me think of rye bread. Alcohol is evident, but not particularly harsh - it's almost reminiscent of liqueur, but with a big bitter finish that reminds you that you're still drinking beer. I think it could stand to be a touch more full-bodied, but I may be spoiled from recently drinking The Bruery's Bourbon Barrel Aged Coton. All the same, this is another great beer from Founders. Hopefully we see bottles at some point in the future.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2010 22:20:30 | More by largadeer

jrallen34

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to a very good friend of mine for this hook up. 16oz flip top into my Rochefort glass...The beer pours a very dark brown bordering on black, looks pretty oily. Pours with no carbonation with a little light tan head...The aroma has a ton going on, bouron (lots of alochol in general), vanilla, prunes, brown sugar, bread. Its a pretty good combination, light slight burnt alcohol finish...The taste is not as good as the aroma, but its pretty decent again mostly alochol and vanilla on the taste with some sugar and burnt coffee finish...The feel is on the lighter side, light warm finish.

Overall, this was pretty good for an old ale. Super glad I was able to try this but to me this is one of those beers that gets scored higher than it deserves due to the rarity. A good experience but not outstanding.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2010 19:10:30 | More by jrallen34

nickd717

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Some time, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Ticker. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Seventeenth of July, and we will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from tick deprivation. We are fighting for our right to tick. Should we win today, the Seventeenth of July will be known as the day the tickers of the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night! We will not go thirsty without a fight! We're going to tick on! That beer is going to survive to be ticked!" Aye, tick and your BeerAdvocate dignity may die. Don't tick, and it'll live... at least for a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the beers, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR TWO OUNCES TO FREEDOM!

Growler thanks to a very, very generous BA whose name I'll leave out of this review to avoid controversy. He came through with a HUGE assist though - this guy is pretty much the Steve Nash of beer ticking.

Shared with largadeer, alfrantzell, chswimmer, and the late great 2ozToFreedom. The 36 hour old growler pours clear darkest brown in color with some tannish bubbles that leave a bubbly ring and some swirls. Excellent aroma. Smells like a great old ale with a little impy stout mixed in. A lot of barrel and maple. Some bourbon or cognac. Sweet toffeeish malt and vanilla. Amazing flavor. Very sweet in a good way. The -bal aging is strong with this one. Lots of oak, vanilla, and maple. Great caramel, toffee, and milk chocolate malt base. I'm even getting some rye, although I don't know if there's actually rye in there. Oh yeah, also delicious rarity. Man, I love that taste. Extremely smooth on the mouthfeel with medium-full body and low carbonation. Very, very drinkable for a rich -bal aged old ale. Lives up to the hype. Tick this beer if you can.

Serving type: growler

07-17-2010 22:33:23 | More by nickd717

vacax

California

4.4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lucky enough to have tried this twice now, thanks to Andrew for sharing this growler with the WWF. Pours next to black, ruby brown, with a small tightly beaded head. Aroma of maple, bourbon, pearl sugar, dark fruit, mildly Belgian esters. The flavor is strong with maple, raisin, fig, again pick up a bit of Belgian yeast flair to some degree. Finish brings loads of caramel, borderline cloying, but not yet offensive. Definitely a sweet take on an old ale, but very tasty in my book. Full bodied and rich with soft, creamy carbonation. I found this one quite delicious, nice dessert beer I'd say. I'd like to have a few bottles of this in my stash.

Serving type: growler

05-08-2010 20:21:34 | More by vacax

womencantsail

California

4.4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A big thanks to Mike for sending me one of my "most wanted". Shared with fellow WWF drunkards during a homebrew collaboration session.

A: The pour is thick and black with a rather minimal tan head on top.

S: The bourbon stands out a bit more than the other maple beers, but this provides a bit more vanilla and booze aroma. The maple is somewhat subtle and provides a bit of sweetness. The base beer gives off a bit of dark malts and milk chocolate with maybe just a touch of dark fruits.

T: The maple and bourbon are much more balanced here with the maple really shining through and providing a sweet syrup flavor. Vanilla from the barrel along with sweet chocolate and a bit of bourbon on the finish. The sweetness from the base old ale is primarily in the form of dark fruits and milk chocolate.

M: A really thick, chewy, and creamy feel on the tongue. Full bodied with a smooth, low carbonation.

D: This one is another in the great line of Maple barrel aged beers from Founders. A really top notch beer that I'm pleased to have landed a growler of.

Serving type: growler

04-27-2010 05:42:13 | More by womencantsail

mday

Delaware

4.7/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served into my snifter from a growler that was picked up at Capone's. This was enjoyed during the Super Bowl with some friends.

A :: As it pours into the glass, it appears black with a minimal head. As I slowly sipped this it left a small tan ring around the top. This one sits very calm and still in my snifter.

S :: Ah, I love this aroma! I couldn't miss the big bourbon mixed with the sweet maple syrup. I checked again, focusing more and found some light vanilla notes dancing with a sweet, rich chocolate, and dark fruits. The aroma wavers between the chocolate and bourbon/maple.

T :: Initial bourbon taste with a nice underlying vanilla sweetness. There is a nice hint of an oak character that seems to impart a slightly dry finish but the maple begins to take control of the flavor before introducing a coffee bitterness. This beer was wonderful and complex. Each sip brought on new characteristics and a new experience. This is certainly meant to be slowly enjoyed over the course of an evening, otherwise you will certainly miss out on some of the complexities that are being presented. So rich, smooth, delicious, and incredible.

M :: Creamy and smooth at first that leaves behind an oil slick from low carbonation. The finish has a light aftertaste that is delightful.

D :: How drinkable could it be? It's difficult to find the alcohol here and it has the potential to sneak up. I mean, really, the alcohol is well hidden in this. I would love to have a few of these this evening...I just might do that. The initial sweetness may get in the way, however it doesn't finish nearly as sweet and it makes you want more. As it warms it seems that the sweetness backs off just a bit to make this even more enjoyable! Find it...and drink it.

Serving type: growler

04-05-2010 11:29:18 | More by mday

tpd975

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

markwise you rock.

A: Pours a deep shade of black with a creamy head.

S: Aromas of maple, bourbon, chocolate, licorice, and bourbon.

T: Pure awesomeness in a glass. Big sweet real maple syrup, chocolate, oak, and molasses. Hints of bourbon and light vanilla. This is a very very deep very very awesome beer.

M: On the fuller side of body, rich, big, bold, smooth, pure goodness.

D: Wish I owned the growler and I did not have to share. This beer was that damn good. Not CBS, but damn good.

Serving type: growler

03-09-2010 19:15:23 | More by tpd975

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer is simply extraordinary. One of the best things I have ever had the pleasure to try. I cannot thank the BA who sent me this growler enough. Simply put you made my week. Served at cellar temp and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 03/04/2010.

A stunning, perfect pour. Dark as night with no light coming through at all. A large, three finger head of chocolate colored foam rose up from the depths to cap the top of this one, nearly spilling over out of the glass. It settles slowly but coats the sides of the glass so completely that you can barely see through it even when empty.

The sweetest, most intoxicatingly rediculous aroma I have ever come across. Simply amazing as the maple syrup, vanilla, molasses, rich chocolate and coffee notes combine so perfectly and completely I was actually salivating. Warming brings a touch of coffee to the front, but this had the most amazing sweet aroma and taste, I was in awe. It seemed each sip was more complex then the one before. Rich, decadent vanilla and the most raw maple sweetness I have ever tasted. Light bourbon notes poking through, dark, forboding, but light and sweet it is stunning. A silky, creamy finish leaves a light flavor on the tongue that begs me for more and hides all the alcohol.

Overall this was easily one of the best beers ever made IMO. The balance, the sweetness, the richness in unmatched. If you can you have to try this, it is simply too good to be true.

Serving type: growler

03-07-2010 06:16:13 | More by mikesgroove

beachbum1975

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On tap at Party Towns "Founders Tasting" in Covington, KY on FEB 26,2010.

This review is a from the 1/2 growler fill I took home with me.

This beer pours a murky dark brown with a medium tan, small foamy head. Light lacing is seeing after the head quickly settles leaving a characteristic "halo" around the edge of my chalice.

The smell is just fantastic. Big bourbon and thick maple syrup adorn this one. I get light vegetal or Earthy notes with a wallop of oak woodiness in this. Wow...

The taste reflects the nose. Very big and complex, but soothing and velvety all around. The flavor captures your taste buds, but then gently fades in a molasses sweetness and vanilla mix. I get an appealing musty quality, as well, which is likely do to the old ale base. Beyond the woody, bourbon nose, I don't get any hot alcohol bite.

Amazingly creamy or velvety mouthfeel. Low carbonation and slick. Wow, it's hypnotic... Try this one if you get the chance, it's fantastic.

Serving type: growler

03-04-2010 20:16:05 | More by beachbum1975

ltjska04

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at a Founders tasting event at Party Town in Florence and was lucky enough to get the very last half-growler fill to take home with me (sorry beerman207!).

A- Black with brown highlights and brown head that doesn't stick around too long. Leave a slight ring around the glass.

S- Sweet with some chocolate. I get a lot of wood smell, vinous, and maybe a bit of barnyard.

T- As sweet as the nose with no hop flavor. Chocolate and syrup but no alcohol taste

M- Very smooth; coating and lingering. One of the best mouthfeels ever

D- Good because of the great flavors and mouthfeel but by the end of the half growler I was ready for something else. Not something I'd want to bombard my palate with all night long but having a few servings is perfect. Another winner from Founders.

Serving type: growler

02-28-2010 16:49:56 | More by ltjska04

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to FooFaa for sharing this growler on 2/4/10 (and also for not dumping any out of my glass this time)!

A - Emerged from the growler as a very deep brown liquid, almost bordering black territory, with copper and burgundy hues around the bottom and a creamy tan head that settled into a milky film and deposited plenty of spotty lace around the glass.

S - Initial aroma combines sweet chocolate with a dark fruit presence and lush vanilla notes. Hints of raisins, sweet tobacco leaf and a definite cherry tartness mingle in the background. However, the predominant aroma I pick up on is chocolate.

T - Black Biscuit opens with vanilla and chocolate notes acting in concert to provide an underlying sweetness, while a more subtle raspberry or cherry pie filling character adds a hint of tartness to the fold. Finish is extraordinary and lends a raspberry vanilla dessert sweetness with just a hint of tart cherry character. Oh man, this is simply delicious!

M - Medium bodied with a smooth, creamy texture and soft mouthfeel, yet enough carbonation is present, giving it quite a bit of life. Finishes with a hint of bitterness and residual sweetness on the palate.

D - Freakin' Founders! The last couple of beers I've had have all been off the hook, and this one is no exception. Simply a delicious brew from one of the best breweries in the country!

Serving type: growler

02-09-2010 14:21:44 | More by ffejherb

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the recent Stone Soup event at the General Lafayette Inn. There were way too may great beers at this event to even begin taking any notes, but this beer was so memorable, I feel OK doing a review. This was generously provided by Matt C., the owner of Capone's.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with very good head retention and lot of sticky lacing all around. The beer smells every bit as good as it looks, with a considerable amount of coffee, choclate, black cherry, vanilla and maple syrup. Flavors replicate the nose almost exactly, but what really sets this beer apart is the mouthfeel. This beer is almost viscuous, and just has a lovely, crowd pleasing richness about it. This beer is so smooth and long, and the flavor is just mouth coating. Drinkability is stupid good. You can pretty much tell the alcohol is up there, but there is so much sweet, decadent creamy goodness, that you hardly even notice the alcohol.

Matt mentioned that this beer reminds him of a somewhat less rich version of CBS, and I would have to agree. This is a beer I will always order whenever I'm lucky enough to see it on tap. Just delicious.

Serving type: growler

01-31-2010 20:51:17 | More by johnmichaelsen