Founders Backwoods Bastard

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

Serve in Thistle

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Aroma is sweet, bourbon, caramel. Deep red body, thin ring of head around the edges, it looks a little hazy. Rich and intense flavors of boubon, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, citrusy hops. Prior batch was 9.2%, this bottle (2008) says 10.2% - either way, this is not one for your beer bong.

This is the beer that started it all for me. My brother gave me a bottle and said something along the lines of "This could change your life." Up to that point, I enjoyed Jack Daniels and various large batch brews. Then. I. Tried. Founders. Game over. Now, I pine for the day that I can "happen upon" the KBS or CBS, or make a pilgrimage to the brewery. And, I’ll have the beercation, soon. I had a bottle (capped 2/10) of Backwoods Bastard in a pint glass, slightly warmed by my hands and consumed over time. A: 4.0. I loved the gorgeous amber color, with hints of deep red. Very little head, some bubbles and a smell that made you pull your head towards the glass. S: 5.0. Where has this taste been all of my life? I was weaned on Jack Daniels and have recently found Makers Mark to be the ultimate in a good drink. But, to find a beer that provides the bourbon taste without being too boozy or too pretentuous? This changed everything. T: 5.0. Everything that I look for in a superior taste ... with each sip, I would pause my conversation, say "wow" and then relax for a moment. M 4.0. The taste the experience and the flavor made the mouthfeel darn near perfec. O: 4.5. After this beer, I started to listen to my brother, watch reviews online and pine for another "good beer." Why would anyone drink a Bud after having this type of beverage? (I’ll never know!) Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 11-05-2011 01:15:10

Pour from bottle into tulip. Dark red/brown with medium head. Boozy, boozy bourbon aroma caused me to wonder if this would taste like a shot and a beer. It was very smooth, but I thought the booze overwhelmed the first sips. Then the flavor came through: slightly syrupy sweetness, oak, vanilla, more bourbon, and some typical Scotch ale malt/peat. A very unique taste. Left me feeling warm and fuzzy.

Aged bottle from cellar - have had this fresh and remember enjoying it, but didn’t take any notes. Pours an opaque deep reddish brown with a very thin off white head that doesn’t stick around for the party. Aroma is a bit subdued, probably due to the age...some sweet bourbon, candied fruit and caramel in there. Flavor is nice and easy going...bourbon up front, definitely some dark fruit, brown sugar...and some alcohol is still around. Palate is full bodied but not overwhelming, as this one drinks quite easily at this point in its life. Nice offering - some day I’d like to give it a try on tap!

Multiple bottles and drafts, this review is a recent bottle. This beer on tap a couple years ago was out of hand. Still good but a slight letdown. Pours a deep and murky brown pour, zero headn tiny bit of lacing. Aromas really are single malt scotch, other notes of bourbon, oak, caramel, nuts, some dark plum hidden in their. Taste was cherry malts, buttery oak, chocolate, bourbon, figs, and some subtle spice. Great beer.

Draft. Hazy golden color, small white head. Aroma of summer fruit and caramel. Taste is boozy fruit and sweet malt. Boozy!

Originally reviewed: 4/6/09. Pours a tawny deep maroon. Very thick and cloudy (yeast?). No light comes through this beer at all. Smells of caramel, chocolate, oak, licorice, molasses. This is a full nose for sure. Mouthfeel is thick and syrupy, almost chewable. Yet there was a slight crispness to it. Flavor is of syrup, booze, some woodsy notes, and big bourbon smack. This wasn’t what I expected at all. Way too boozy and thick for my liking. Interesting beer.

This beer has the pure aroma of bourbon. Smells fantastic! Pours a deep brown/amber... almost matches the color of the bottle perfectly. Very little to no head, just a touch around the edge of the glass. Bourbon is apparent at first sip. Alcohol is mostly covered up, but a bit of heat does come through. A tiny bit of sweetness is in no way overwhelming and balances nicely with a bit of hops that comes through on the back. Has a wood-like taste that is pleasant. Overall a great sipper, very delicious. It’s a little bit ale and a little bit stout-like.

TAP: Deep red/brownish. Aroma and taste of bourbon, vanilla, oak, alcohol, dark chocolate, cherry and caramel. THICK but smooth.

It poured a red color with a light tan head. The aroma was notes of malt, caramel, some wood, and whiskey. The taste was sweet with strong notes of bourbon as well as medium notes of caramel and wood with a slightly burnt edge.

Tap in a snifter. Chestnut brown pour with a short lived light beige head. Small bubbles cling to,the sides of the glass. Bourbon vanilla nose that is very pleasing. The taste has that same vanilla sweetness propped up by bourbon booze. The beer itself is malty as expected with a balancing hop bitterness (if you stop and look for it). Very flavorful, balanced, and well crafted. A treat for bourbon barrels aged beer lovers!