Founders Backwoods Bastard

Brewed by Founders Brewing Company
Style: Scotch Ale
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Pours a glimmering dark cherry stained brown with a frothy topping of small tan bubbles. nose is sweet with vanilla , bourbon and oak as well as having sharp alcoholic edge with underlying chocolate and toffee. After a while and strangely enough, the nose starts exhibiting a young garlic characteristic. Flavors are soft, sweet, creamy, and painted with vanilla and essence of bourbon. I get waves of those caramel candies with the soft sugary white centers and even big red chewing tobacco. Hop levels seem vibrant but not over powering, yet possibly a little green. There’s a touch of hotness in the mouth, but its not overly distracting. Doesn’t seem as refined as I was hoping..would think about aging one but i have a feeling the body would thin out more than is desirable, but who knows.

strong bourbon aroma, cherry, vanilla, oak, Flavour carries on with the vanilla and cherry fruitiness, some caramel sweetness strong woody tones, and boozy bourbon finish.

Bottle from Styles - thanks much. Pours dark ruby with a little tan head that fell quickly. Aromas of wood, vanilla, roasted malt, and maybe cherry. Full bodied with mild carbonation. It is smooth. Earthy. And there is cherry. The wood is subtle. Only a touch of heat in the finish. It is sort of bourbon chocolate. Really great sipper.

Very happy that Founders is around these days in these parts. Deep red, slight but lasting head. Aroma is rich caramel, dark fruit, mostly cherry, and a hint of booze. Flavor matches the nose. Enjoyable stuff. The barrel is present, but adds a vanilla complement as opposed to overwhelming. Well done.

Mahogany pour with a slight cherry edge. small offwhite head. Aroma is vanilla, almond, hazelnut cream, some barrelled booze aroma, bourbon peat, caramel. Flavor is Smooooth caramel, not overly sweet or aggressive. Vanilla boozey wood with some creamy peaty notes as well. Finish is Boozey warmth and more wood. Incredibley smooth and complexly woody and boozey.

Reddish brown pour with not much head to speak of. Aroma is loaded with vanilla bourbon, caramel, maple syrup, peat, roast, almond-hazelnut, port wine, and subtle hints of dark fruit. Who knew bourbon could do such wondrous things to a scotch ale. Malt complexity is amazing in the nose. Flavor is bursting with caramel and further sweet malt incarnations, though the alcohol presence provides excellent balance to dispel any cloying nature. Bourbon is evident in the taste, but not as strongly as the aroma might suggest. This one is all about the malt... Palate is rich, oily, full, warming, and fine bubbled in its effervescence. Finish is warming and somewhat dry. I love this shit...

Pours a dark, clear brown with orange tints, small head. Aroma smells excellent; notes of bourbon, maple syrup, peat, honey, caramel, molasses, smoke, and some cashew and almond. Flavor isn’t as aggressively sweet as I would have expected from the aroma. Notes of whiskey, wood, peat, smoke, caramel, and molassses are still prevalent, however. Palate is a bit disappointing; would have liked something more rich and silky sweet, but still not bad; the finish is somewhat of a redemption in that category. Still a damn tasty brew.

Bottle - Pours deep brown with a huge rosy tan head that’s gone right away. Smells is graham crackers, butterscotch, and nice, sweet booze. Taste is caramelly sweetness with butterscotch and a nice boozy touch. Bitter finish--smooth and malty. Big and chewy with nice boozy warmth. It’s not bourbon-forward like I was expecting, but that’s okay. It’s also not terribly complex, but a nice dessert beer that is pleasant to sip on for a half hour or so.