Founders Brewing Company Backwoods Bastard (365 Day 97)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer on Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Founders Backwoods Bastard

The release of Founders Brewing Company Kentucky Breakfast Stout is only a few days away. One fantastic beer deserves a beer in its’ honor: I brought out a bottle of Backwoods Bastard. If memory servers me right, this is Founders Dirty Bastard aged in oak bourbon barrels. The beer is released each November, so this one had a few months on it, which takes nothing away from this fine American craft beer.

I paid a bit more than I wanted to for Backwoods ($5.99) but that is the extra price you pay when purchasing singles. When you figure that most beer bars that serve American craft beer charge that for non-seasonal release and, sometimes, only 10 ounces, six bucks wasn’t that bad of a price. While on that topic: it seems like all of Founders short releases are jacked in price for their 12 ounce bottles. I sometimes have to take a step back and wonder if it makes sense to pay for a 12 ounce bottle what I can get some bombers (22oz bottle) for? My wife has given me sanctions on my beer spending this year causing me to question many of my purchases, while trying to seek out beer stores that sell singles: more for my money.

Backwoods Bastard is such a good mix of sweet, oak, bourbon, and the kitchen sink that the slight alcohol burn on the way down is the only thing that reminds you this drink is 12% ABV. Even so, I can through a pint of BB down licketidy split. If you have the means to have this beer, and for that matter most of Founders short releases, pick them up, spend the money, your senses will thank you over and over again. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9, Taste: 9, Look: 10, Drinkability: 10, Overall: 9.5

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