Backwoods Bastard
Founders Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 11.2%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #808 - Avg:
- 4.35 | pDev: 10.11%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 04, 2022
- Added:
- Jan 30, 2007
- Wants:
- 1,073
- Gots:
- 3,508
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts, a bit of earthy spice and a scintilla of dark fruit. It’s a kick-back sipper made to excite the palate.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MIbeer27:
4.7/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by MIbeer27 from Michigan
12 ounce bottle, dated 10/07/2014
The bottle pours a deep brown hue (brownish red when held to the light) with a one finger, off-white head that quickly dissipates. Carbonation bubbles slowly up the side of the glass.
Aroma is complex, perfectly balanced between a vanilla, toffee, caramel and oak sweetness, along with a healthy dose of bourbon. I honestly don't think a beer could smell much better than this.
The taste follows the nose almost identically, slightly less balanced this time with the bourbon taking the lead midpalate, especially as the beer warms. Heat from the alcohol is there, but it lingers in the background.
Mouthfeel is medium-full with medium carbonation. Bitterness is at the perfect level and damn this stuff is drinkable!
Overall, this is easily one of the best beers I have ever had and I can see why it is so sought-after. The vanilla, toffee, caramel, and oak just blend so perfectly with the bourbon to create such an excellent beer. I could deal with a little less bourbon in the taste (I now understand why people cellar this stuff), but that is really its only flaw. Now, excuse me why I go pick up more!
Nov 06, 2014
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by MIbeer27 from Michigan
12 ounce bottle, dated 10/07/2014
The bottle pours a deep brown hue (brownish red when held to the light) with a one finger, off-white head that quickly dissipates. Carbonation bubbles slowly up the side of the glass.
Aroma is complex, perfectly balanced between a vanilla, toffee, caramel and oak sweetness, along with a healthy dose of bourbon. I honestly don't think a beer could smell much better than this.
The taste follows the nose almost identically, slightly less balanced this time with the bourbon taking the lead midpalate, especially as the beer warms. Heat from the alcohol is there, but it lingers in the background.
Mouthfeel is medium-full with medium carbonation. Bitterness is at the perfect level and damn this stuff is drinkable!
Overall, this is easily one of the best beers I have ever had and I can see why it is so sought-after. The vanilla, toffee, caramel, and oak just blend so perfectly with the bourbon to create such an excellent beer. I could deal with a little less bourbon in the taste (I now understand why people cellar this stuff), but that is really its only flaw. Now, excuse me why I go pick up more!
Nov 06, 2014
More User Ratings:
4.5/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by sglooney316 from Texas
My first scotch ale style beer. Simply great. Another great Founders beer.
May 04, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by sglooney316 from Texas
My first scotch ale style beer. Simply great. Another great Founders beer.
May 04, 2022
3.96/5 rDev -9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by shu from Georgia
Initially loved dirty bastard (the original) but just too much 'oak' for beer. Still a great beer with singular flavors and aromas but not my taste.
Apr 09, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by shu from Georgia
Initially loved dirty bastard (the original) but just too much 'oak' for beer. Still a great beer with singular flavors and aromas but not my taste.
Apr 09, 2022
4.47/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
by Mapping_Jim from Oklahoma
Ones of my favorites so I'm not very objective. Love the bourbon that comes through. This years version is a little thin but still very very good.
Apr 08, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
by Mapping_Jim from Oklahoma
Ones of my favorites so I'm not very objective. Love the bourbon that comes through. This years version is a little thin but still very very good.
Apr 08, 2022
4.09 by not2quick from Missouri on Mar 31, 2022
3.13 by xmanden from Michigan on Mar 20, 2022
4.97/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by DBlairo
I tried this brew a couple of years ago and remembered that I really liked. Today is the first time I have seen it back in stock at my local beer store so of course I had to try it again. I'm a fan of dark bourbon beers and this one ranks right up at the top. The initial pour unveils a dark amber ale with a short lived frothy head. The smell is sweet with an obvious bourbon scent. The first taste is remarkably smooth and rich, sweetness on the tongue with a mild pleasant bitterness arriving at the end which left me craving for my next sip. Ahhhhh, so yummy! This is a first class sipping beer that you should keep on hand for your favorite house guests...if your the generous type.
Mar 13, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by DBlairo
I tried this brew a couple of years ago and remembered that I really liked. Today is the first time I have seen it back in stock at my local beer store so of course I had to try it again. I'm a fan of dark bourbon beers and this one ranks right up at the top. The initial pour unveils a dark amber ale with a short lived frothy head. The smell is sweet with an obvious bourbon scent. The first taste is remarkably smooth and rich, sweetness on the tongue with a mild pleasant bitterness arriving at the end which left me craving for my next sip. Ahhhhh, so yummy! This is a first class sipping beer that you should keep on hand for your favorite house guests...if your the generous type.
Mar 13, 2022
4.48/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Herbabee from Pennsylvania
Bottled on 09.27.21 - 2nd try on this one, which drives this very review - found the barrel taste too strong & fresh-coopered first time, but impressions seem to be diminished this round...)
Pour into 5oz snifter leaves an appealing bubbly tan head reducing to cloudy mists on the surface with a bubbly creamy little ring surrounding the fill line. Color such a lovely translucent deep burgundy. Nose is barrel woods, sweet molasses, perhaps a nuance of tangy fruitiness in there too. Taste is a lovely bittersweet, a little tang & fizz on the tongue. Swallow is bittersweet, not overly sticky.
I can see why appreciators like aging this one. It's a sweet lil' treat.
Mar 08, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Herbabee from Pennsylvania
Bottled on 09.27.21 - 2nd try on this one, which drives this very review - found the barrel taste too strong & fresh-coopered first time, but impressions seem to be diminished this round...)
Pour into 5oz snifter leaves an appealing bubbly tan head reducing to cloudy mists on the surface with a bubbly creamy little ring surrounding the fill line. Color such a lovely translucent deep burgundy. Nose is barrel woods, sweet molasses, perhaps a nuance of tangy fruitiness in there too. Taste is a lovely bittersweet, a little tang & fizz on the tongue. Swallow is bittersweet, not overly sticky.
I can see why appreciators like aging this one. It's a sweet lil' treat.
Mar 08, 2022
4.85/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by BillyBoxer from Wisconsin
Superb scotch ale
Feb 17, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by BillyBoxer from Wisconsin
Superb scotch ale
Feb 17, 2022
4.24 by cbuzz24 from Mississippi on Feb 15, 2022
4.25 by johnny_c from New York on Feb 14, 2022
4.15 by dan_amdg from Illinois on Feb 12, 2022
4.34 by beerjerk666 from Florida on Jan 29, 2022
4.31 by jschurter from Georgia on Jan 29, 2022
4.33 by Blazer22 from Colorado on Jan 28, 2022
4.5 by Resistance88 from California on Dec 25, 2021
4.49/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Viaduck from California
Fairly dark body, browinish burnt copper color with a decent light tan head. Very pretty aroma: caramel, vanilla & bourbon. Sweet with just of hint of bitter. Very tasty: caramel, brown sugar, spices, bourbon, scotch, ripe dark fruit, vanilla & oak barrel flavors. Medium feel, good carbonation & a fair amount of alcohol heat in the mouth & stomach. Excellent scotch ale.
Dec 24, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Viaduck from California
Fairly dark body, browinish burnt copper color with a decent light tan head. Very pretty aroma: caramel, vanilla & bourbon. Sweet with just of hint of bitter. Very tasty: caramel, brown sugar, spices, bourbon, scotch, ripe dark fruit, vanilla & oak barrel flavors. Medium feel, good carbonation & a fair amount of alcohol heat in the mouth & stomach. Excellent scotch ale.
Dec 24, 2021
4.71 by Gukkor from Texas on Dec 22, 2021
4.51/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by tolar111 from New York
This sample was bottled 9/28/12. Poured into a 16oz nonic, a tan off white head forms and quickly dissipates leaving a light cap of foam on top. The color is a slightly translucent reddish brown. The smell is of boozy roasted malts, bourbon and candied dried fruit. The taste is slightly sweet, boozy malt, with notes of dried fruit and bourbon. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and slightly slick. Given the age of my sample I assume the carbonation has toned down from the original packaging, the mouthfeel is smooth. Overall, this is an excellent beer that I would definitely buy again.
Dec 20, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by tolar111 from New York
This sample was bottled 9/28/12. Poured into a 16oz nonic, a tan off white head forms and quickly dissipates leaving a light cap of foam on top. The color is a slightly translucent reddish brown. The smell is of boozy roasted malts, bourbon and candied dried fruit. The taste is slightly sweet, boozy malt, with notes of dried fruit and bourbon. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and slightly slick. Given the age of my sample I assume the carbonation has toned down from the original packaging, the mouthfeel is smooth. Overall, this is an excellent beer that I would definitely buy again.
Dec 20, 2021
4.23/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by TommyTuneUp from Michigan
When compared to KBS it is a step lower. BUT - that does not make it undesirable. If you are a connoisseur of ales you will love it. If not - the pilsner people and BudNiks will notice the bloaty feeling and over-handed sweetness and put it down around a stale Oh Henry. Newbies will be hypnotized - the Seasoned will say "meh."
Dec 09, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by TommyTuneUp from Michigan
When compared to KBS it is a step lower. BUT - that does not make it undesirable. If you are a connoisseur of ales you will love it. If not - the pilsner people and BudNiks will notice the bloaty feeling and over-handed sweetness and put it down around a stale Oh Henry. Newbies will be hypnotized - the Seasoned will say "meh."
Dec 09, 2021
4.65/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by NotABeerDrinker
This is a fantastic dark beer, especially considering you don't have to go to a boutique micro-brew in order to get it. It's available at my local grocery store! The flavors are complex without feeling artificial or over-powering. The bourbon barrel aging is evident. It forms a very nice, almost nitro-style head. IMHO, this is the best offering Founders puts out...which is saying a lot since they make some outstanding beers.
Nov 07, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by NotABeerDrinker
This is a fantastic dark beer, especially considering you don't have to go to a boutique micro-brew in order to get it. It's available at my local grocery store! The flavors are complex without feeling artificial or over-powering. The bourbon barrel aging is evident. It forms a very nice, almost nitro-style head. IMHO, this is the best offering Founders puts out...which is saying a lot since they make some outstanding beers.
Nov 07, 2021
4.26/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
11/7/21 from a 12 oz bottle 4 pack.... Birthday present from DW.
Nose: maple, pecan and bourbon barrel.
Taste: " " and brown sugar. Warms you up real nice! Nice and smooth front and back end. Wee heavy!
Nov 07, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
11/7/21 from a 12 oz bottle 4 pack.... Birthday present from DW.
Nose: maple, pecan and bourbon barrel.
Taste: " " and brown sugar. Warms you up real nice! Nice and smooth front and back end. Wee heavy!
Nov 07, 2021
4.16 by QuintusHorace from California on Oct 31, 2021
4.14 by slimntubbs from Pennsylvania on Oct 31, 2021
4.8 by Meddwol from Michigan on Oct 22, 2021
4.52 by BLPasch from Michigan on Oct 14, 2021
4.28/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
Notes from Thanksgiving Day 2019. Bottled on 6/26/2019.
12 oz bottle into a small snifter glass.
L: deep dark brown
S: bourbon, candied caramel, spicy peppery wood.
T: oak, bourbon, smoke, nuts, dried up fruit, figs, raisins, pectin, fruit cake, pecan pie. Not too sweet.
F: medium bodied and kind of sticky. Balanced and fairly smooth.
O: Deep, full flavored barrel beer with a hearty soul. There is light alcohol. It is excellent.
Oct 13, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
Notes from Thanksgiving Day 2019. Bottled on 6/26/2019.
12 oz bottle into a small snifter glass.
L: deep dark brown
S: bourbon, candied caramel, spicy peppery wood.
T: oak, bourbon, smoke, nuts, dried up fruit, figs, raisins, pectin, fruit cake, pecan pie. Not too sweet.
F: medium bodied and kind of sticky. Balanced and fairly smooth.
O: Deep, full flavored barrel beer with a hearty soul. There is light alcohol. It is excellent.
Oct 13, 2021
4.44/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Patrick2012 from California
Very smooth, malty ale. The dark fruit and caramel notes seem to be the most prominent for me. Highly drinkable for an 11%.
Oct 11, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Patrick2012 from California
Very smooth, malty ale. The dark fruit and caramel notes seem to be the most prominent for me. Highly drinkable for an 11%.
Oct 11, 2021
4.65/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by doclh
Great beer for the days when you worked out and feel you deserve a reward. I like it cold. I love malty brews and this one doesn’t disappoint. Smell is what I’d expect from a Guinness Extra Stout that was dark brown rather than black. Pour is like any well brewed beer and the taste is malty with a touch of sweetness. The finish is long and pleasant. A nice beer to drink with medium swallows to enjoy the feel and lingering graininess. Hard for me to find, but when I see it, I buy it!
Oct 10, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by doclh
Great beer for the days when you worked out and feel you deserve a reward. I like it cold. I love malty brews and this one doesn’t disappoint. Smell is what I’d expect from a Guinness Extra Stout that was dark brown rather than black. Pour is like any well brewed beer and the taste is malty with a touch of sweetness. The finish is long and pleasant. A nice beer to drink with medium swallows to enjoy the feel and lingering graininess. Hard for me to find, but when I see it, I buy it!
Oct 10, 2021
3.73 by Mavigo from Michigan on Oct 09, 2021
2.42/5 rDev -44.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
by Wardoff from Rhode Island
This used to be my favorite Wee Heavy. I've bought a couple of 4-packs of this over the last few months from a packy in Putnam, CT. The whiskey flavor is overpowering in these 4-packs. I can barely recognize that it's a Wee Heavy. I mean, it's like Wee Wee Wee Wee HEAVY. The whiskey flavor is so strong, that I might never buy this again. Seriously, it used to be among my favorites! Bummer. There are just not enough good Scotch les out there.
I wonder if the distributor unloaded a few cases of BWB mistakes on this packy, which probably has a relatively high percentage of customers that buy nips as opposed to beer connoisseurs.
Sep 27, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
by Wardoff from Rhode Island
This used to be my favorite Wee Heavy. I've bought a couple of 4-packs of this over the last few months from a packy in Putnam, CT. The whiskey flavor is overpowering in these 4-packs. I can barely recognize that it's a Wee Heavy. I mean, it's like Wee Wee Wee Wee HEAVY. The whiskey flavor is so strong, that I might never buy this again. Seriously, it used to be among my favorites! Bummer. There are just not enough good Scotch les out there.
I wonder if the distributor unloaded a few cases of BWB mistakes on this packy, which probably has a relatively high percentage of customers that buy nips as opposed to beer connoisseurs.
Sep 27, 2021
4.33 by TakiMan42 on Sep 18, 2021
4.46 by DrewTheBrew from Ohio on Sep 17, 2021
4.75/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Tomlarson123 from Ohio
Drank at home.
Aug 25, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Tomlarson123 from Ohio
Drank at home.
Aug 25, 2021
4.4/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by robwired from Kansas
It pours a think tan/beige foam head that is so slow to dissipate, I almost hated to take the first sip, it was so pretty. But, taking one for the team, I took a sip that was bottled on 05/13/21, poured into a nanobrewery's tulip glass, such as those are.
The taste is of the wee heavy variety with a barrel-aged chocolate tongue and a cookie-like texture going down. Another sip. Yep. Wee heavy. And there's a foamy surface with great lacing, sticking to the glass in the shape of a swirl. The mouthfeel is medium-thick delicious.
I think I got a good batch.
Aug 04, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by robwired from Kansas
It pours a think tan/beige foam head that is so slow to dissipate, I almost hated to take the first sip, it was so pretty. But, taking one for the team, I took a sip that was bottled on 05/13/21, poured into a nanobrewery's tulip glass, such as those are.
The taste is of the wee heavy variety with a barrel-aged chocolate tongue and a cookie-like texture going down. Another sip. Yep. Wee heavy. And there's a foamy surface with great lacing, sticking to the glass in the shape of a swirl. The mouthfeel is medium-thick delicious.
I think I got a good batch.
Aug 04, 2021
4.25 by KT3418 from Colorado on Aug 01, 2021
4.56 by joran from Kansas on Jul 19, 2021
4.53 by DarrellK from Florida on Jul 18, 2021
4/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Kkasprzak from Wisconsin
Pours a deep, transparent red with a medium-size head. Deliciously sweet with noticeable bourbon and cinnamon aroma inviting you in. Thin-ish and smooth.
Overall, its aroma and flavor simply invites you in for more.
Jul 11, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Kkasprzak from Wisconsin
Pours a deep, transparent red with a medium-size head. Deliciously sweet with noticeable bourbon and cinnamon aroma inviting you in. Thin-ish and smooth.
Overall, its aroma and flavor simply invites you in for more.
Jul 11, 2021
3.5 by mpenske from California on Jul 10, 2021
Backwoods Bastard from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
8866 ratings