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Dirty Bastard
Founders Brewing Company
- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Ranked #27 - ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,176 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 10.62%
- Reviews:
- 2,127
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 18, 2024
- Added:
- Jan 03, 2003
- Wants:
- 373
- Gots:
- 2,454
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. Brewed with 7 varieties of malt (varies over the years).
50 IBU
50 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jondeelee:
Reviewed by jondeelee from Massachusetts
4.08/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dirty Bastard opens to a malty, yeasty nose with slightly sweet, peaty, smoky overtones. The grains and sugars are especially noticeable here, the former bringing floury baguettes, yeasty rising wheat dough, toast crust, and cracker, and the latter adding loads of brown sugar and caramel, as well as berry, orange, apricot, cherry, and fig fruit esters. All of this is accompanied by a light rind of smoky peat, which adds a woody note that brings to mind barrel aging. As a whole, the nose is excellent, and while there may be a slight imbalance in having the sugars so heavily outclass the smoky peats, there’s still a decent sense of nuance in here, and an obviously skilled hand at picking and blending ingredients.
On the tongue, the beer is immediately yeasty and bready, the rising wheat dough and yeasty baguette drifting to the surface, joined by what is here a larger smoky peat presence that brings to mind wood-fired cooking stoves filled with pitchy pine. The sugars are still huge, with berry, cherry, apricot, and orange fruit esters, as well as loads of brown sugar and caramel. A thin lacing of pine and grapefruit from the hops adds balancing bitterness. In subsequent sips much of the yeasty bread notes are unfortunately lost, and the sugars largely take over the flavor profile. The aftertaste is heavy on grapefruit rind and pine hops, with lots of sugars and even a few breads remaining, and at least the hops linger on the tongue for a good while. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium.
Overall, this is good beer, though the smoky peats could have been stronger, and the sugars somewhat lighter to achieve a better sense of balance. The hops were also rather strong in the aftertaste, for while the malts could largely overcome the heavy 50 IBUs in the main mouthful, they lose to them in the aftertaste. Still, the beer is highly drinkable, and quite delicious.
Apr 02, 2013On the tongue, the beer is immediately yeasty and bready, the rising wheat dough and yeasty baguette drifting to the surface, joined by what is here a larger smoky peat presence that brings to mind wood-fired cooking stoves filled with pitchy pine. The sugars are still huge, with berry, cherry, apricot, and orange fruit esters, as well as loads of brown sugar and caramel. A thin lacing of pine and grapefruit from the hops adds balancing bitterness. In subsequent sips much of the yeasty bread notes are unfortunately lost, and the sugars largely take over the flavor profile. The aftertaste is heavy on grapefruit rind and pine hops, with lots of sugars and even a few breads remaining, and at least the hops linger on the tongue for a good while. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium.
Overall, this is good beer, though the smoky peats could have been stronger, and the sugars somewhat lighter to achieve a better sense of balance. The hops were also rather strong in the aftertaste, for while the malts could largely overcome the heavy 50 IBUs in the main mouthful, they lose to them in the aftertaste. Still, the beer is highly drinkable, and quite delicious.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by ManicMadgod from Connecticut
4.27/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm a sucker for ruby red beers, and this wee fellow does not disappoint. Great pour, great lacing.
Robust flavor profile, with beautiful caramel maltiness and some underlying fruitiness that makes way for a balanced bitter finish.
One of the more satisfying beers I've tried in a while and an excellent member of the Founders roster. Would definitely have again.
Mar 18, 2024Robust flavor profile, with beautiful caramel maltiness and some underlying fruitiness that makes way for a balanced bitter finish.
One of the more satisfying beers I've tried in a while and an excellent member of the Founders roster. Would definitely have again.
Reviewed by MrPhantasia
4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Affordable despite the excellent taste and high ABV. An excellent full-bodied experience. Pleasantly bitter with an excellent easily drinkable mouthfeel.
Nov 25, 2023Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
4.43/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.43/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle filled 6/14/23 into a 12 oz goblet.
L: SRM 25 Pours an earthy dark ruby & brown with a thin smooth light tan head that has a slight orange hue, low steady fine carbonation bubbles, head recedes to thick edge foam, random sticky lacing.
S: Rich caramel malts, pecan, bourbon barrel notes, dates, raisins, a hint of brown bread, molasses, lightly sweet smelling.
T: Lightly nutty barrel notes, fairly sweet caramel malts, dried fruits, dark fruits, late-arriving citrus zest, light cocoa, peat, brown bread crust. Has a long lingering spicy & zesty finish.
F: Soft, easy-going medium to medium-heavy feel that is wet and dynamic. Has a long drying finish and becomes smoother overall with warming.
O: Very easy drinking Scotch Ale. Has sort of a mulled halo with sweeping barrel notes that are lovely and are not overpowering. Incredibly balanced tastes and a beautiful bouquet. Not overly complex. It is outstanding in its style.
Nov 20, 2023L: SRM 25 Pours an earthy dark ruby & brown with a thin smooth light tan head that has a slight orange hue, low steady fine carbonation bubbles, head recedes to thick edge foam, random sticky lacing.
S: Rich caramel malts, pecan, bourbon barrel notes, dates, raisins, a hint of brown bread, molasses, lightly sweet smelling.
T: Lightly nutty barrel notes, fairly sweet caramel malts, dried fruits, dark fruits, late-arriving citrus zest, light cocoa, peat, brown bread crust. Has a long lingering spicy & zesty finish.
F: Soft, easy-going medium to medium-heavy feel that is wet and dynamic. Has a long drying finish and becomes smoother overall with warming.
O: Very easy drinking Scotch Ale. Has sort of a mulled halo with sweeping barrel notes that are lovely and are not overpowering. Incredibly balanced tastes and a beautiful bouquet. Not overly complex. It is outstanding in its style.
Reviewed by JozyMozy from Tennessee
4.15/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Absolutely gorgeous pour, dark red with a couple of fingers of a light caramel head.
Aroma is a little peat-y, slightly sweet, a hint of alcohol at the end.
Taste is malty sweet to begin, but finishes with a pleasant bitterness.
Mouthfeel is smooth, good carbonation.
Overall this is a very smooth, interesting beer, but at a very sneaky 8.5 ABV, maybe one that I should enjoy with more moderation than most.
Oct 28, 2023Aroma is a little peat-y, slightly sweet, a hint of alcohol at the end.
Taste is malty sweet to begin, but finishes with a pleasant bitterness.
Mouthfeel is smooth, good carbonation.
Overall this is a very smooth, interesting beer, but at a very sneaky 8.5 ABV, maybe one that I should enjoy with more moderation than most.
Reviewed by nasal from Illinois
4.28/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.28/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Not as sweet as Robert the Bruce. This is much more hop-forward and less malty and sweet. It's so hoppy that it's dry. When it warms, a subtle funky peaty smoky flavor comes out. Nothing like Speculoos cookies and Boston brown bread. It's more like scotch. Really special and complex beer. I'd pick Robert the Bruce as a cheerful treat on a holiday, and Dirty Bastard for a contemplative and quiet winter night alone. It's one to savor.
Sep 25, 2023Rated by tyden46
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Strong dark fruit flavors with roasted bitterness.
Aug 20, 2023Rated by calvin_os from Colorado
3.73/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Interesting flavor, but I might be a wee lad. Wonder how this'd pair with a glass of Scotch whisky; I think it'd go well, probably.
Aug 10, 2023Reviewed by frogfarmer38 from West Virginia
2.93/5 rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
2.93/5 rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
real thick hazy caramel color with some stained fizz, head all plump like a biscuit. it doesn't smell like much to me right now, but my nose is a tad stuffy. tastes like... the left side of a boot sole? you can really see what they mean by Dirty Bastard, it's heavy and strong and it hits you hard with those delayed hops but i dunno... founders historically hasnt done a lot for me and i cant say that the dirty bastard changed my mind. reminds me of a post christmas december evening, right when its really starting to snow and you get home from work after dark and youre a little glum from the holiday season being over, and then you notice that the wet snow has soaked into your parka. i would say that Wet Snow in Clothes is the best descriptor for this one (not entirely bad)
Jul 24, 2023Reviewed by kotocar from California
4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I’m reviewing this for the style of dark thick string beer which this is. It’s resinous and sticky and thick and taste like caramel raisins. If I wanted to sip a darker thick boy of a beer slowly this is great.
I usually like to throw back beers though so I probably won’t be drinking this one too often. But it’s a great beer I’d have at a restaurant if I only wanted to order one. This would pair well with a juicy steak.
Jul 16, 2023I usually like to throw back beers though so I probably won’t be drinking this one too often. But it’s a great beer I’d have at a restaurant if I only wanted to order one. This would pair well with a juicy steak.
Reviewed by cwm51662 from Indiana
3.79/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Early rating was a bit rough. A much better beer non-refrigerated. I do get some of the peat-y taste, more of the alcohol at the bottom. Refriged, it had like zero smell or body. I'm enjoying it much better, getting more of the taste, at room temp.
Jul 08, 2023Reviewed by mpruden from Ohio
4.04/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.04/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the brewery.
Appearance: Medium dark brown, very small light tan head that lingered, leaving some lacing.
Nose: A little peat, a bit of cooked sugar sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium heavy, adequate carbonation.
Attack: Toasted malt, light sweetness.
Finish: Balancing bitterness.
Overall: A very good Scotch Ale. Doesn’t have quite the bang of the barrel-aged Backwoods, but solid.
Jul 04, 2023Appearance: Medium dark brown, very small light tan head that lingered, leaving some lacing.
Nose: A little peat, a bit of cooked sugar sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium heavy, adequate carbonation.
Attack: Toasted malt, light sweetness.
Finish: Balancing bitterness.
Overall: A very good Scotch Ale. Doesn’t have quite the bang of the barrel-aged Backwoods, but solid.
Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
8204 ratings
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