Founders - Curmudgeon's Better Half (2018)

Has anyone seen this in the Cleveland area yet? Only just heard it was releasing but haven't seen it in any of my usual bottle shops.

 

Ommegang Blonde might give off a perception of sweetness due to the phenolics present but it’s objectively dry.

 

Everything I'd hoped it would be.

 

FTFY.

Even though you can't see this, phenols don't give off a perception of sweetness. Esters do, however.

 

Ok, I'll be right over.

 

Went looking for this a couple weeks ago, guy at my local store said he sold out. Usually with the popular Founders BA releases they aren't out for sale and have a 2 bottle limit. Pretty small town, they probably don't get more than a couple cases. Went back a few days later for something else, there are 4-packs on the shelf. Guy says he called the distributor, who had 5 cases, which he ordered. I got my 4-pack. It is sweet, and this was one of those beers I really enjoyed at first, but by the last 1/4 of the glass it was a bit much. I prefer regular Curmudgeon, and it's a shame I haven't seen it in a few years.

 

Was away when this was released, but picked up a 4 pack yesterday and now have one beer chilling in the refrigerator. I doubt that bottle makes it through the weekend. Very much looking forward to trying this beer.

 

I saw that Mack's got it earlier this week.

 

First time having this the other day. Wow. What a great beer for a cool fall day. Anyone have any experience letting these sit for a year or two? Feels like it would turn super carmelly and rich.

 

This is one of the best barrel-aged beers I've had in a while. Sweet, but not overly so. I agree with those who said a little age might help it (it's a little too bitter), but it drinks very nice right now.

 

Better Half finally showed up here, though it looks to be the most limited barrel series this year, with stores getting two cases each, at least first round. I'm drinking one now, and while I'm glad I got a 4-pack instead of a single, I'm on the fence regarding grabbing more. I've got a number of better BA beers in my onsite cellar or my offsite cellar (local liquor stores). I'd rate this as good as Backwoods Bastard and KBS, not as good as CBS, but better than all of the other Founders barrel series I've had in 2017 or 2018. I will probably just save myself for the upcoming releases of BA Fidy, CBS, BCBS, and maybe Pirate Bomb/Noir.

 

I saw a local store charging $14.99/ 4-pack, $12 per bomber, which seems in line with the Backwoods Bastard pricing. My question: How is Founders charging DOUBLE for CBS? CBS has coffee, yes, but making a stout can't be that much different in cost than an old ale/ barleywine, especially when they're both aged in the same barrels for (assuming) similar periods of time.


Any thoughts?

 

Better Half is $17 here, while CBS bombers were $23 to $25 last year. I believe that while both use maple barrels, total time in the barrels is higher with CBS, which means additional cost of storage (in the form of lost opportunity on space to store other beers) and staff time to monitor progress. But in the end, they charge more for CBS because people pay it.

 

Yeah at those prices you listed it seems to be plausible. I've never seen it for less than $29.99 (california). But yeah, seems like a hype thing.

 

A beer can only be so good. Beyond a certain price point, it IS all hype. For me personally, rarely do I ever consider paying more than $15 for a 4-pack or $12 for a bomber.

 

Having my first of these right now, glad I grabbed a couple of 4 packs, looking forward to trying it room temp and seeing how it ages.

 

If you missed Curmudgeon's Better Half or want more of the style, keep an eye out in January 2019 for Weyerbacher's Insanity. I thought Curmudgeon's Better Half had a lot of similarities to it.

 

Not sure how I liked this one. Intense candy sweetness... Perhaps with age I will like it more, but for now, not a favorite for sure.

 

Mixed some this with Backwoods, pretty good combo, but not a big contrast flavor-wise.

 

Had this last night, I think it's fine, albiet a little on the sweet side for a 12oz sipper. Bomber size is excessively too much sweet.