Nemesis (2010)
Founders Brewing Company

Nemesis (2010)Nemesis (2010)
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From:
Founders Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
12%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.18 | pDev: 10.53%
Reviews:
513
Ratings:
946
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 27, 2022
Added:
Jul 29, 2010
Wants:
  200
Gots:
  261
The 2010 release of Nemesis is best described by our brewing team as ‘a dark barley wine that pours black with a subtle mahogany hue. Brewed with 5 malts and no shortage of hops for a pleasantly bitter booming flavor. Roasty and toasty with a multitude of tastes that melts on your tongue
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jjanega08:
Photo of jjanega08
Reviewed by jjanega08 from Minnesota

4.32/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A= The pour looks thick I must say. I didn't think there would be much carbonation because last years Nemesis didn't have much but this one has a nice looking finger high head that has some pretty nice retention as well as some nice lacing on it. The heads color is a little bit of an off white color. The beer itself is nice and black. There are some highlights in it that shine through a little but looks black from the center.

S= High hops and a suprising amount of toastyness to it. Sort of biscuity in a way. There is also a little bit of roast to it unless my mind is playing tricks on me. Really nice balanced smelling barleywine.

T= The taste is unique for sure. You get a lot of the piney hop flavor to it as well as some deep roast. Hearing it called a "black barleywine" this is almost exactly what I expected. Or it could be an double black india pale ale...DBIPA. Balanced is a good way to describe it.

M= The mouth isn't as thick as I though it would be based on the pour. A great amount of carbonation keeping it a little lower is perfect.

D= This is a wonderful beer. The alcohol is hidden very very well and the flavors are all bright and vibrant. I wouldn't be suprised if this style takes off.
Sep 10, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of mikeg67
Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey

4.39/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle. Pours brown with tall, long-lasting, foamy off-white head. Aroma is caramel malt, dark fruit, brown sugar, cherries and piney hops. Body is full and crisp. Bready, caramel malt, brown sugar, dark fruit, herbal hops and chocolate covered cherries fill the mouth. Finish is long and very bitter. Delicious brew.
Jan 27, 2022
 
Rated: 4.1 by Giggy from Michigan

Aug 18, 2021
Photo of DudMan
Reviewed by DudMan from New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Bottled on 3-8-21. The dark fruit smell and taste as well as the creamy mouthfeel make this a beer a winner! I had this years ago and I'm glad my buddy gave me 2 bottles. Don't pass on this beer in the store if you like the style.
Jun 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by JamesLeung from Florida

Apr 10, 2021
Photo of bret27
Reviewed by bret27 from California

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle courtesy of acurtis.
Nice dark fruits, toffee, and brown sugar.
Also oxidized cardboard and flat.
Past it’s prime clearly.
Jan 31, 2021
 
Rated: 4.71 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Dec 28, 2019
Photo of npolachek
Reviewed by npolachek from New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Friend finally cracked this one after aging it for 9 years! It aged very nicely, and was lest boozy over time (per my friend who had it fresh 10 years ago).
Oct 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.99 by Stofko1992 from Pennsylvania

Dec 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.43 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Sep 09, 2018
Photo of KevSal
Reviewed by KevSal from California

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
reviewed blind

stubby into my fw glass

a-dark cola colored with a thin half inch tan head

s-dark fruits followed by some oxidation, possible bourbon in the faint background, this guy is definitely getting up there with age

t-follows the nose, lots of dark fruits than some oxidation and than more dark fruits/possibly barrel? it taste up there with age

m- mouthfeel is thick, carbonation is on the lower side. this guy drinks 7-8% but i’m guessing its up towards 12-13% mellowed with age

o- this was fun, the second half was WAY better than the first half, it really opened up and had some very tasty flavors
Jul 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.21 by soze47 from Massachusetts

Jan 17, 2018
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.59/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle thanks to Toby. Dark amber with a small beige head. Sweet malts in the aroma and taste, some root beer barrels, cola. Kind of sweet. and sticky.
Jan 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by Lucoli from New York

Nov 09, 2017
Photo of UcDru
Reviewed by UcDru from Ohio

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle

Pours jet black almost still.. Big notes of tobacco, chocolate, roasted coffee on nose and palate. Mouth feel is viscous almost chewy and bit of a hop presence on back end. Coming through slightly oxidized however the low carb level i think is an attribute to this beer.
Apr 21, 2017
Photo of ghostwalker
Reviewed by ghostwalker from Illinois

4.41/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle received as an extra in a trade some years ago. Guess I had better drink it.

Appearance is interesting. Dark brown, almost black body, thin white head.

Nose is sharp, piney hops with a caramel or molasses sweet malt component.

Flavor is dark and rich, sharp hops show up midway and dominate the finish. Smooth caramel malt slides across the tongue.

Tangy and tantalizing on the palate. The low carb does not prevent this from being a pleasure to sip.

Almost a black IPA, almost a Double Bastard type strong ale. This is a delicious and unique brew. For an older beer, this has held up remarkably well in my cellar. The hops are still huge. Wish I had sampled this while fresh as well.
Oct 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by maxifunk777 from California

Jul 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.88 by jmiah22 from Michigan

Jun 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.13 by jbdpsu82 from Pennsylvania

May 09, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.47/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A dark brown beer essentially, rolls red to the edge thin lighter brown head, 1/5". Aroma was hot. Boozy.

Taste had more heat. Lots of caramel, hops, bitterness, malt, alcohol. Some brown sugar, toffee notes.

A good not great barleywine.
Mar 22, 2016
Nemesis (2010) from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 946 ratings