After nearly going a week without a beer and doing a beer review, Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing Company was a welcome back that made me extremely happy. I had actually brought the beer out of the fridge the night before but water sounded much better to my recovering palate than liquid goodness of an American craft beer.

This is my eighth beer from Founders and, to this point, found Backwoods Bastard to be the best. Maybe it is the bourbon oak aging (I have an affinity for anything aged this way) as this seems to always turn my taste buds into overdrive.

Whatever it is Backwoods Bastard has a great bourbon, oak, and vanilla aroma that carries over into the taste that must come from the aging. Also caramel and toffee sweetness tantalize the senses as a bit of hops finishes off the taste with some bitterness. A careful blend that I sure can only get better with aging. 10/10

Tonight is TNBC and I am sure will will be partaking in some interesting brews. Enjoy!

The beer store was loaded yesterday, the amount of new American craft beers seemed at a high, even without the leadership of Matt, the stores beer buyer. It isn’t often that I go up and down the aisle and lose track of the world around me as the new American craft beers on the shelves sparkle and fill my head with wonderment and thoughts of what they would taste like. Oh the possibilities.

New beer list:

• Sheep Shagger Season Scotch Ale by Tyranena Brewing Company
• Dirty Old Man – Imperial Rye Porter Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels by Tyranena Brewing Company
• Chirstmas Ale by Bell’s Brewing Company
• Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing Company
• La Parcela by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
• Christmas Ale by Goose Island Brewery
• Mild Winter by Goose Island Brewery
• Juliet by Goose Island Brewery

Quite the stunning group. I pruchased a four pack of Backwoods Bastard, a bomber each of the following: Juliet, La Parcela, and Bourbon County Stout (2009) by Goose Island Brewery. Once I get over my cold, happy days for my beer tasting senses. Enjoy!