Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale

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

Bottled, 2006 version. A hazy amber beer with a beige head. The aroma is sweet malty with notes of hops and caramel. The flavor is sweet malty with strong notes of caramel as well as light notes of alcohol, and notes of whiskey, with a thick flowing body.

Bottle 2006. Hazy amber colour with a big beige head. Caramel malt, grape, wood, vanilla aroma and taste. Medium to full body with a sweet vanila, wood, bourbon whisky finish.

Bottled. Amber coloured. Unclear. Dense light brown head. Pine, sweetness, vanilla and light fruits in the aroma. Quite complex and balanced. Flavour as well is on the better side. Loads of vanilla (bourbon barrels?), soap, fruits and flowers. This must be the 2006 edition. The barral notes are very dominant but yet nicely integrated in the beer. Medium to full bodied. Quite dry. Light bitter sweetish end, where the barrel notes again plays a major role. Nice alcoholwarmth on the lips.

Bottle. [Thanks to Sk8viking for sharing] Average beige creamy like head that mostly lasted. Good lacing. Hazy amber color. Wood, bourbon, vanilla, raisins, prunes, caramel, apricot, soap. Wow what a surprise this was. Full bodied with an average carbonation with a somewhat sticky texture. Moderated sweet flavor with light bitter notes. Sweet and overwhelming lingering complex finish of wood, raisins and vanilla. Amazing brew!

(Bottle 35,5 cl) Courtesy of sk8viking. Hazy, dark amber golden with a creamy, beige head leaving laces. Spicy aroma with distinct bourbon notes - I suspect Founders actually ADD bourbon here. Very full-bodied with sweet caramel malt and again these delicate, oaky bourbon notes. Absolutely wonderful. 290407

2006 vintage. I gotta go against the grain on this one as I really enjoyed it. Part of the surprise is that I thought I didn’t get the barrel-aged vintage. For those who enjoy a good toffee and creamy bourbon flavour this one is done very well. On the aroma one detects notes of vanilla, caramel, Bourbon and oak. Deep crimson hue with many particles dancing throughout. Nice smooth creamy mouthfeel with sweet hints of the caramelized malt and bourbon beautifully blended together. Strong finish as your palate continues to be coated with the soft sensation of oak, candied apricots and cinnamon. Don’t let the negative reviews fool you! The 2006 vintage of this is definately a well done beer and a must try!

Amber colored out of the bottle with a very hesitant ivory head that retreated into a slight ring around the glass very quickly. My first sniff of this warned me that this must be the bourbon barrel vintage. Whiskey, wood, butter and alcohol all wafted up. Overall the mouthfeel seemed a little watery, given the ABV and style. Lots of noticable alcohol in the flavor, both actual from the 9.3% and suggusted from all the bourbon. The barrel aging does impart lots of bourbon, oak, and the buttery sensation that I always get from bourbon barrel aged beers. My complaint about barrel aging is when the barrel overwhelms the beer and this seems to be one of those times. Flavors of vanilla, berry, oak, dried fruit; but all just washed out by the bourbon. If you like bourbon barrel beers, here is one. I prefer more balance with the beer.

Beautifull deep brown with garnet highlights, The nose is bourbon and dark fruits. the first taste reveals an intensely sweet malt rush of dried fruits like dates and raisins, and prunes, roasted caramel, molasses, burnt brown sugar, and tart cherries. The alcohol is pretty potent and the bourbon notes only accentuate that feeling. Very rich texture, almost vinous, and somewhat boozy on the palate. Very nice!