Founders Bolt Cutter - Founders Brewing Company

JamesShoemaker

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 ml split with my Mom, reviewed from notes. I felt very privileged to have access to this beer, some skillful convincing of the distributors on the part of my local store.

A - great looking beer, beautiful reds and oranges, much lighter than I expected it to be. Translucent. Pours a finger of foam that recedes fairly quickly, lacing up the sides, and some carbonation bubbles.

S - lots of hops, very floral. It smells like it's going to taste like a big, sweet, sticky bomb. The hops hide the alcohol deceptively.

T - hoppy at the beginning, receding into some bitterness at the end of the initial hop note. It moves into sweetness, caramel, licorice, the barleywine flavors. It's not nearly as strong as I expect, but I don't care for how heavy it is. It's still very drinkable though.

M - very syrupy. The alcohol remains hidden behind the hops and sweetness. The beer isn't quite as "hot" as I've read some people on BA describe it, but it's clear that the beer would benefit from some years in my cellar.

O - a good offering, the Backstage Series continues to impress. I prefer Old Numbskull (because I like my BWs hoppy), but Bolt Cutter is still delicious.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 13:57:45 | More by JamesShoemaker

NeutroMan

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 22:20:10 | More by NeutroMan

BUNZILLA

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-18-2013 00:59:45 | More by BUNZILLA

smartassboiler

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-17-2013 14:19:24 | More by smartassboiler

dan027

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-17-2013 02:51:26 | More by dan027

Dan3279

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-17-2013 00:20:40 | More by Dan3279

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-16-2013 20:21:27 | More by iHeartMNBeer

acc88

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-16-2013 07:09:34 | More by acc88

standardcherry

Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22oz bottle.

A: Pours a slightly hazy dark orange/golden color with a big, creamy looking tan head.
S: Hoppy citrus aroma, sweet malts, caramel, brown sugar, woody scent. There's a sweet, almost bubblegum-like aroma at the end. Strange, but not bad.
T: Smooth malty flavor, followed by maple and a ton of citrusy/earthy hops bitterness. Fruity flavors (pineapple and citrus) mixed with caramel, maple, oak and booze. A hint of vanilla as well, but the hoppy bitterness dominates. It's ok, but I'd definitely let it mellow a bit if I had another bottle.
M: Surprisingly drinkable for a barleywine this huge. Full bodied with a sticky mouthfeel. Great carbonation for the style.
O: Glad I got to try this beer but I wouldn't buy it again. If I had another bottle I'd let it hang out for another year or two to let the hops mellow more.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 05:44:08 | More by standardcherry

twkirkby

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-15-2013 10:09:36 | More by twkirkby

HarmonMW

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-13-2013 21:40:36 | More by HarmonMW

davesway10

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-13-2013 20:35:49 | More by davesway10

hogansct

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-13-2013 18:33:40 | More by hogansct

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-13-2013 18:23:20 | More by vrbulldog22

Drock325

Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-13-2013 04:24:26 | More by Drock325

tugg407

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-13-2013 04:09:30 | More by tugg407

GameOfThrones

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-13-2013 03:23:50 | More by GameOfThrones

whallgren

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-12-2013 19:21:04 | More by whallgren

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-11-2013 15:16:33 | More by mikeburd1128

jacewg

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-11-2013 13:18:05 | More by jacewg

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Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-11-2013 06:18:56 | More by kingmaker

opwog

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-11-2013 04:46:00 | More by opwog

hey5hitgoose

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-11-2013 00:58:10 | More by hey5hitgoose

justforrazors

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-11-2013 00:56:01 | More by justforrazors

JDavidRice

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-10-2013 22:33:01 | More by JDavidRice