Founders Nemesis 2010 - Founders Brewing Company

marvin213

North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Dark, it looks more like a stout than a barleywine. Granted this one's been sittin' for a couple years now, but there's little head to speak of. The nose is a leathery, licorice molasses. It smells like it would ooze instead of pour.

It tastes like a stout--the black licorice IS there--and it's a little figgy if ya ask me. The burn is there like a barleywine brings, but it's still more of a stout than anything else. 100 IBUs? Guess those went by the wayside these last 700-ish days. Must've saved this one in large part because I simply don't like it. Maybe it's past its prime, but this one's forgettable for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 20:13:32 | More by marvin213

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.24/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Looks more like a Brown Ale or a Porter than a Barleywine, this is very dark brown in color. The head only last for about ten seconds, but while it's there it is a dark eggshell color and about an eighth of an inch thick. There is no lacing at all.

SMELL: It actually smelled better out of the bottle than when it was poured into the glass. I have to say this was a first for me. In the bottle all of the typical, sweet Barleywine smells came through strong. When it was poured into the glass they all seemed to fade a little bit and a lot of unexpected, smoky aromas came through. It was still quite pleasant, but not as intense as I would like.

TASTE: The first thing that stands out to me is how well the hops have hung in there. This is still a hoppy beer three years in. The finish is quite bitter and the hops are supplemented in their bitterness by hints of coffee and dark chocolate. The sweeter flavors all come first though, caramel, toffee, vanilla and some sweet spices greet the palate while some banana and other dark fruits dance around in the background.

MOUTHFEEL: Someone below me said this was medium bodied. I'd have to disagree, to me it was very big. Sweet and complex throughout, but drying as it goes down. Very smooth and drinkable with a complete lack of booziness.

OVERALL: I hate finishing a Founders beer, especially since I'm in Colorado. I can't just go get another. Ultimately, this beer holds up very well and I would imagine it has a couple of good years left as long as it was treated properly.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 05:40:29 | More by StoneTSR

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.5%

06-16-2013 05:42:38 | More by megamass

HopsMatt

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -4.5%

06-13-2013 06:34:14 | More by HopsMatt

BAsbill

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

06-13-2013 00:27:19 | More by BAsbill

DruRho

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-11-2013 23:57:49 | More by DruRho

goblin7704

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

06-11-2013 17:13:32 | More by goblin7704

striker2160

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -4.5%

06-09-2013 04:42:45 | More by striker2160

POTABLE83

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

06-06-2013 12:52:03 | More by POTABLE83

julian89

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-27-2013 02:40:09 | More by julian89

Dirksen

California

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-24-2013 18:22:54 | More by Dirksen

Mike

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-22-2013 02:08:58 | More by Mike

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-22-2013 00:57:02 | More by mikeincharleston

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 4.25

Presentation: 12 oz. stubby bottle I have kept in the cellar for a couple years. Decided to open this up recently so I chilled this down. Poured into my Kate the Great tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours almost zero head. Surprisingly lack of carbonation. Dark brown in color but some light does get through.

Aroma: Nice earthy pine tones from the hops. Definitely a pretty strong hop presence given the age. Chocolate and caramel backing with almost no oxidation.

Taste: Pine, light citrus and a strong earthiness really take hold and dominate. The malt comes through nicely and lends a slight cocoa bitterness. Lots of chocolate and brown sugar. Hides the ABV really well.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation is definitely noticably absent. Not flat persay but close. Medium bodied.

Overall, a really nice tasty black barleywine with some nice hop character. Nicely balanced. The lack of carbonation (not sure if it just this bottle?) does not hurt this too much at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 23:47:32 | More by Gosox8787

ackeeper

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-21-2013 02:02:13 | More by ackeeper

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 14:30:48 | More by InspectorBob

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-19-2013 00:39:23 | More by Photekut

mscudder

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-18-2013 17:41:11 | More by mscudder

EROCK75

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-13-2013 15:50:05 | More by EROCK75

kscaldef

Oregon

2.5/5  rDev -40.3%

05-09-2013 21:12:36 | More by kscaldef

2beerdogs

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-09-2013 05:53:53 | More by 2beerdogs

hilgart1

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-08-2013 00:22:43 | More by hilgart1

Pecafaced

Maryland

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-30-2013 23:24:40 | More by Pecafaced

pmoney

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%

04-29-2013 19:24:23 | More by pmoney

zachattack555

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-28-2013 20:18:24 | More by zachattack555