Dankwood
Founders Brewing Company


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- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Red Ale - Imperial
Ranked #15 - ABV:
- 12.2%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,409 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 8.4%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 05, 2021
- Added:
- Jan 26, 2018
- Wants:
- 20
- Gots:
- 130
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding


Notes:
What do you get when a big, bold imperial red IPA meets an oak bourbon barrel? A palate stunner that’ll send your senses spinning or, as we like to call it, Dankwood. Rich caramel notes emerge from the depths of the IPA, highlighting strong malt character while the bourbon barrel-aging develops the complexity. A dank, sticky and slightly sweet sipper, Dankwood is the perfect alchemy of wood and hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.75 by JohnofUpton from Massachusetts on Dec 05, 2021
3.99 by aszatk01 from Pennsylvania on Mar 31, 2021
4.03 by Sinister from New York on Feb 21, 2021
4.06 by moltch from Massachusetts on Oct 03, 2020
4.28 by DownyIsHungry from Minnesota on Sep 11, 2020
4.25 by Velivolus1 from Vermont on Aug 02, 2020
4.12 by Cubatobaco from Virginia on Jul 21, 2020
3.94 by Cotton_27 from Michigan on Jun 30, 2020
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Msp004 from New York
12 oz bottle date 4/11/18. Pours dark brown with a thin brown head. Little lacing.
Nose is a caramel apple out front. hop bitter and tanginess.
Mouth is a caramel apple upfront, bitter hops, sweet and tangy with an nice warm alcohol finish.
Aged well for 2 years. More along the lines of a barley wine at this point.
May 02, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Msp004 from New York
12 oz bottle date 4/11/18. Pours dark brown with a thin brown head. Little lacing.
Nose is a caramel apple out front. hop bitter and tanginess.
Mouth is a caramel apple upfront, bitter hops, sweet and tangy with an nice warm alcohol finish.
Aged well for 2 years. More along the lines of a barley wine at this point.
May 02, 2020
4 by BEER88 from Washington on Apr 12, 2020
4.11 by jroof1 from Massachusetts on Mar 28, 2020
4.75/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by cb8282 from Michigan
Pineapple
Sweet
Dark woody
Very good
Mar 28, 2020
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by cb8282 from Michigan
Pineapple
Sweet
Dark woody
Very good
Mar 28, 2020
4.6 by Yendor61 from Michigan on Mar 17, 2020
3.75 by smartassboiler from Illinois on Mar 15, 2020
4.18 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 20, 2020
4 by Pisshhead from Ireland on Jan 25, 2020
4.06 by TP2MSU from Michigan on Jan 14, 2020
3.34 by nruhlig from Minnesota on Dec 22, 2019
3.81 by PittBeerGirl from Ohio on Dec 21, 2019
4.29 by Blogjackets from Ohio on Dec 16, 2019
3.23 by stephenlee93 from England on Dec 06, 2019
3.96 by detroitpat from Michigan on Dec 05, 2019
4 by rare_bird from Michigan on Dec 02, 2019
4.13 by neliam24 from New York on Dec 02, 2019
4.09/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stevoj from Idaho
Bottle from Boise Co-op. I think I'd go more for an Amrrican stronge ale here, but its shaping up pretty damn nicely. Dark brown pour, one finger beige head, lasts a while. Aroma is dark, woody and fruity. Taste brings some molasses, marshmallow, , raisins, and plenty of alcohol heat. Well rounded,…
Nov 10, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stevoj from Idaho
Bottle from Boise Co-op. I think I'd go more for an Amrrican stronge ale here, but its shaping up pretty damn nicely. Dark brown pour, one finger beige head, lasts a while. Aroma is dark, woody and fruity. Taste brings some molasses, marshmallow, , raisins, and plenty of alcohol heat. Well rounded,…
Nov 10, 2019
2.44/5 rDev -39.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by KooVee from Finland
33cl bottle, 1y old.
Ambery copper. Stocky, sticky lace.
Aroma is evident already in drive-by. Pineapple and cherry soaked in alcohol. Bourbon cuts through with the subtlety of a runaway bus.
Taste is like the eigenvectors of PCA. Candy floating in coarse booze, fruit at the top of the palate. Borh are mercilessly sunk by the resin entering at the end of the scene in a way that sucks all oxygen out of the room.
This is what happens when a recipe fails at all levels. Some might find this interesting and original, but it is like often happens when you experiment with an unusual combination -- harmony is not uniformly distributed. I possess similar regrets.
Nov 01, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by KooVee from Finland
33cl bottle, 1y old.
Ambery copper. Stocky, sticky lace.
Aroma is evident already in drive-by. Pineapple and cherry soaked in alcohol. Bourbon cuts through with the subtlety of a runaway bus.
Taste is like the eigenvectors of PCA. Candy floating in coarse booze, fruit at the top of the palate. Borh are mercilessly sunk by the resin entering at the end of the scene in a way that sucks all oxygen out of the room.
This is what happens when a recipe fails at all levels. Some might find this interesting and original, but it is like often happens when you experiment with an unusual combination -- harmony is not uniformly distributed. I possess similar regrets.
Nov 01, 2019
2.93 by Houborg1 from Denmark on Oct 04, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
Pours out bronze with a finger and a half of head. Light lacing.
Smell is mild caramel, hop aroma leaning towards mostly pineapple, wood, and some bourbon. This is a very strange mixture, but not at all off putting. This actually works really well together.
Taste is pretty much the same as the nose but a little more powerful on all fronts. The hoppiness and the bright pineapple work well the smooth sweetness of the caramel malt flavor. And the wood just persists throughout providing this whole other element of flavor. Nice stuff.
The carbonation is pretty standard. Medium in carbonation and body. Not thin, not thick.
This beer is an interesting one. I'm glad this turned out to be enjoyable. The 12% ABV will keep you in check though certainly. Been on a hell of a Founders kick recently and this is another one that turned out well. Not mind blowing but enjoyable and unique enough to be purchased more in the future.
Sep 11, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
Pours out bronze with a finger and a half of head. Light lacing.
Smell is mild caramel, hop aroma leaning towards mostly pineapple, wood, and some bourbon. This is a very strange mixture, but not at all off putting. This actually works really well together.
Taste is pretty much the same as the nose but a little more powerful on all fronts. The hoppiness and the bright pineapple work well the smooth sweetness of the caramel malt flavor. And the wood just persists throughout providing this whole other element of flavor. Nice stuff.
The carbonation is pretty standard. Medium in carbonation and body. Not thin, not thick.
This beer is an interesting one. I'm glad this turned out to be enjoyable. The 12% ABV will keep you in check though certainly. Been on a hell of a Founders kick recently and this is another one that turned out well. Not mind blowing but enjoyable and unique enough to be purchased more in the future.
Sep 11, 2019
4 by ian_graf from Minnesota on Jul 28, 2019
3.93 by Coronaeus from Canada (ON) on Jun 13, 2019
4.04/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stoutman from Michigan
Poured a cloudy dark brown with moderate light brown head. Notes of cherry, prune, caramel malt, fresh grass, wood, and light barnyard aroma. Moderately sweet candy sugar, caramel malt, and a moderately bitter funky grass/fresh wood flavor. Nice mate of known IPA and the Oak barrel imparting the unique flavor.
Jun 08, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stoutman from Michigan
Poured a cloudy dark brown with moderate light brown head. Notes of cherry, prune, caramel malt, fresh grass, wood, and light barnyard aroma. Moderately sweet candy sugar, caramel malt, and a moderately bitter funky grass/fresh wood flavor. Nice mate of known IPA and the Oak barrel imparting the unique flavor.
Jun 08, 2019
3.5/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
A large imperial that doesn't hold its punches. Full of malt, amber flavor with notes of vanilla and cherry in the background, this complimented our cigars perfectly. Honestly, we though that without them, we might rate it less.
May 23, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
A large imperial that doesn't hold its punches. Full of malt, amber flavor with notes of vanilla and cherry in the background, this complimented our cigars perfectly. Honestly, we though that without them, we might rate it less.
May 23, 2019
3.22 by whitewizard from Arizona on May 16, 2019
4.25 by anthony-s from New Jersey on May 16, 2019
4.2 by Tracker83 from Michigan on May 12, 2019
3.64 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on May 05, 2019
3.91 by Kolb from Montana on Apr 29, 2019
4.08/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jjamadorphd from Florida
Great beer even after a year of aging...
I will admit this wasn’t spectacular, but it sure was really good. The coloration was appealing with a slight boozy smell to go along with a tamped down boozy flavor. This is the kind of beer to simply sit back and enjoy slowly, which I did.
Apr 29, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jjamadorphd from Florida
Great beer even after a year of aging...
I will admit this wasn’t spectacular, but it sure was really good. The coloration was appealing with a slight boozy smell to go along with a tamped down boozy flavor. This is the kind of beer to simply sit back and enjoy slowly, which I did.
Apr 29, 2019
4.19/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by BigGold from Mississippi
Had poured from 12-oz. bottle, label stamped “Bottled on: 04.11.18,” into tulip.
This Imperial Red IPA is so smooth you can drink it fast and easy. But you shouldn’t, as it’s a 12.2 beer, and you won’t, as the balanced vanilla and whiskey from the barrel, caramel malt and hops also reward slow sippin’.
Apr 22, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by BigGold from Mississippi
Had poured from 12-oz. bottle, label stamped “Bottled on: 04.11.18,” into tulip.
This Imperial Red IPA is so smooth you can drink it fast and easy. But you shouldn’t, as it’s a 12.2 beer, and you won’t, as the balanced vanilla and whiskey from the barrel, caramel malt and hops also reward slow sippin’.
Apr 22, 2019
3.97/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by WickedBeer from Alabama
Draft, kegged 4/24/18.
Pours dark and murky, crimson hues-rust color. Soft, creamy head that leaves tons of lace retention as it settles.
Huge sweet, malty nose. On the back there’s some resiny pine and caramel, but booze and malt characterize the aromas.
Great balanced complexity here. Huge hop presence, leaving a linger that contrasts nicely to a powerful malt bill with caramel accents throughout. On the back end that 12% hits you with a warm, boozy linger.
Smooth, boozy mouthfeel. Full-bodied, with nice amounts of residual mouth-coating. Warm in the finish and all the way down.
Apr 10, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by WickedBeer from Alabama
Draft, kegged 4/24/18.
Pours dark and murky, crimson hues-rust color. Soft, creamy head that leaves tons of lace retention as it settles.
Huge sweet, malty nose. On the back there’s some resiny pine and caramel, but booze and malt characterize the aromas.
Great balanced complexity here. Huge hop presence, leaving a linger that contrasts nicely to a powerful malt bill with caramel accents throughout. On the back end that 12% hits you with a warm, boozy linger.
Smooth, boozy mouthfeel. Full-bodied, with nice amounts of residual mouth-coating. Warm in the finish and all the way down.
Apr 10, 2019
Dankwood from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
629 ratings