“So good it’s almost wrong. Dark ruby in color and brewed with seven varieties of imported malts. Complex in finish, with hints of smoke and peat, paired with a malty richness and a right hook of hop power to give it the bad attitude that a beer named Dirty Bastard has to live up to. Ain’t for the wee lads”.
This brewery has really impressed us recently, after the all day session IPA and the 10/10 breakfast stout we have taken a liking to these American masters.
Served in a beer tulip the dark brown/mahogany pour produced little head that diminished instantly to a rim of foam around the edge of the glass. No lacing evident. The pungent and complex aroma is offering heavy alcoholic overtones with a real warming hint of whiskey and oak. The 10 (yes 10!!) different malts make sure rich notes of brown sugar, treacle, toffee, dark fruits, raisin and a very subtle hint of vanilla underlines the complexity in this aroma. Very nice. Quite an astringent mouth feel with mild carbonation. Full body. The booze sting (8.5% ABV) does play a relatively large role in this beer with the palate initially serving up warming hints of booze, scotch and raisin. A slightly dry and hoppy mid delivers a sharp, bitter finish with hints of very soft smoke and bread. Definitely a quaffable drop, would not recommend for a session though. Founders have definitely hit the spot though. Good beer.