Mothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged Porter
Founders Brewing Company

Mothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged PorterMothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged Porter
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From:
Founders Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Imperial Porter
ABV:
8.7%
Score:
98
Avg:
4.45 | pDev: 6.07%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
152
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 17, 2022
Added:
Apr 21, 2013
Wants:
  39
Gots:
  12
Developed after reflecting on youthful dalliances of yore, Panther Cub is a small porter aged in a combo of BLIS maple syrup bourbon barrels and regular bourbon barrels. This fierce cat has been aging in barrels for over two years with whole vanilla beans (just for fun). Tasty maple and vanilla notes plus surprisingly deep character make this rare special release one to look upon fondly.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.05 by SayBoom from Ukraine

Mar 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.05 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 21, 2022
 
Rated: 5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

May 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.12 by curlybird from Pennsylvania

Mar 02, 2021
Photo of ovaltine
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with some mahogany on the edges and a tan head that provides beautiful lacing. Gorgeous beer. The nose maple up front, and I get a cocoa note and pretty substantial booze from the barrel, but it don’t get the vanilla - maybe it’s lurking in the barrel.

The maple is forward on the taste, but is joined quickly by the booze from the barrel - and the vanilla, which mixes well with the maple and the cocoa. Wow.

The mouthfeel is perfect for an imperial porter. I approached this with some trepidation because I read reviews that stated it was too sweet, but for my palate, there was an excellent balance between the flavors, and it wasn’t overly sweet. I purchased a couple of singles, but I’m gonna go back for more because this is exceptionally well done in that “hard-to-hit well” imperial porter category.
Feb 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.69 by MacStinson from Michigan

Feb 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by mcrawford from Michigan

Feb 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.21 by Branlott42 from Missouri

Feb 13, 2021
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Reviewed by micada from New York

4.17/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
General distribution version: Very nice. I generally don’t like porters, but this is complex. The only negative hit is a tiny bit of artificial sweetness to the vanilla flavor, but otherwise it’s a good sipper.

Edit: Mothership version consumed March 2023. Very creamy, but has lost all complexity of barrel and maple. A tiny bit if barrel comes out in the back end. Maybe after warming a bit, I’ll see if it changes.
Feb 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.27 by Junior from Michigan

Oct 25, 2020
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Rated by Eyedoc27 from Illinois

4.49/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Coffee is the dominant flavor I’m getting followed by bourbon. Just a small hint of bitterness
Jul 17, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by Cotton_27 from Michigan

Jun 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.29 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Sep 07, 2019
 
Rated: 3.95 by acurtis from New Jersey

Apr 19, 2019
 
Rated: 4.27 by mrn1ceguy from Illinois

Mar 13, 2019
 
Rated: 4.04 by Mikexw from New York

Mar 11, 2019
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Reviewed by dfillius from Iowa

4.31/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Yum! Lovely vanilla notes in the aroma of this one. Barrel aging did not make this one a booze bomb thankfully, it’s very subdued and rich in flavor. Silky, chewy mouthfeel. Only gripe I have is that there wasn’t any head to speak of. Thanks warnerry!
Mar 10, 2019
 
Rated: 4.52 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Feb 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4.16 by PrestigeWorldwide from Michigan

Feb 12, 2019
 
Rated: 4.41 by pagesofphotographs from Colorado

Feb 03, 2019
Mothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged Porter from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating: 98 out of 100 with 152 ratings