Backwoods Bastard 2015

There's a lot more in this rant than I want to spend time responding to, especially given that nothing I can say will change your mind.

But I do find the juxtaposition of you complaining about Founders holding grudges with the fact that you clearly have one against them fascinating. It's easy to wonder if the ideas you've presented here are tainted by said grudge. I'm skeptical that Founders exercises the amount of control you ascribe to them, but you never know.

Founders seems cool to hate these days--every new Backstage release thread turns into a complainfest--but to each their own. I think they make good beer and that the price point is generally appropriate. I also find myself having a hard time getting worked up about the business practices of any brewery.

 

These are the same people who back in the day, would get bent outta shape when more people started to like a band that they heard of "first".

 

Hi all. I think I'm the first in CA to chime in here. I just bought Founders Backwoods Bastard, breakfast stout (with the baby on the bottle...woohoo...bottled 9/29/15) and they had Imperial Stout too in northern CA. I heard it was coming but imagine my surprise. Another liquor store owner tells me he will be getting CBS AND KBS. I told him I'd be really surprised but to call me at any time of the day or night they arrive and I'll come get some. I don't think he knows what he's talking about but lay in wait with high hopes that Founders saved a certain allotment for CA in anticipation that they'd like to make a grand entrance into the CA market. Can't hurt to dream a little, right! This liquor store seems to have a never ending supply of FSW Proprietors Vintage beers (he still has DDBA) so he's got the hookup there...who knows. Cheers and welcome to CA Founders!

 

You must not have seen the part I wrote saying I don't buy their stuff. I picked this thread, and most Founders threads to bitch because this is Beer Advocate. Every forum is about beer. This is the place to bitch, piss and moan about beer. If not here, where??

I won't be lining up anywhere. Last time I stood in line at Founders was for Founders Fest in 2012. I manage a bottle shop, I don't need to wait as I can get my hands on any release that comes our way. I take my bottle limit, just as I would the customer, and go on my merry way. If I want more, I shop around. I'd pass on CBS, because that, just like all their other beers, have been bastardized by a 'big brewing' mentality. CBS pre Backstage Series initial bottling was not the CBS they put in bottles. I've been doing this long enough and have a good enough palate to discern when a beer doesn't taste remotely like it's predecessor. Otherwise I don't think I would have gotten my level 2 cicerone certification. But I digress; back to it.

Bell's and 3 Floyd's have a good, albeit a minorly flawed system. They sell A TON of product at their company stores, and no one gets enough anywhere they send their beer. They have their ropes in the distributors too (although I can't speak for 3F's because they do not distribute to MI) but I also avoid Bell's. I only like two of their beers, Expedition and Black Note, and I generally avoid them because I just flat out don't really like their beer. I'll take Two Hearted at a bar or restaurant when it's the only option, but living in 'Beer City USA' has it's advantages; the major being that even the most chain of restaurants still serves a wide variety of craft and local. Hell, if McDonalds could serve beer, they'd probably have Michigan craft beer draft lines. That's just how it is here.

Dark Horse is AMAZING when it comes to allocations and overall brand management. They are the nicest people on the planet, and most humble. You have no idea what you're talking about bringing them into this do you? Go to the 4 Elf Party this year and tell me things are handled wrong. Their method of releasing things like BBA Plead the 5th, and all the other variants, and special beers released on that day is handled better than large concert venues handle people entering the building. They know their limits, they know their roots, and they don't F around. They just make beer and have a good time.

Dave and Steve know exactly what they are doing, they are business men. I don't fault them for that, but yes, if I were the owner of a large brewery, I wouldn't forget my roots with my inflated ego and $ lined pockets. And I sure as hell would make sure my product was getting to it's destination fresh.

The grudge has been earned over time my friend. I used to adore Founders. They used to make a really good product, they used to hire competent employees (I once asked what style of beer one of the taproom only beers was and the bartender at the time was able to tell me it had honey in it ) and above all else, they used to care.

 

I can't wait for Backwoods to hit MN. Despite the fact that Founders clearly doesn't know how to run their own company, I love this beer & hope there's plenty of it to go around this year!

 

I was there for the kickoff of beer week and yes "the bastard" was there on tap. Delicious as always.

 

Oh my god am I a dumbass. It's dirty bastard I bought and not backwoods bastard. I guess my validity just went out the door. I apologize for the misinformation. I was so excited to see Ihe breakfast out and grabbed this bottle as an afterthought but I thought it was backwoods bastard and clearly don't know what I'm talking about.

 

Welcome to wholesale. Worse that happens is someone takes the sticker off or replaces the other product.

 

picked up 4 pk tpday..and it is 11.6 ABV..and smooth as f**k..

 

Enjoying one of these now. Loving the higher abv. Not too hot, not too sweet....just right.

 

Could you please share exactly where it's being sold in NY? Thank you.

 

beverage plus..monarch..all island..shoreline

 

Backwoods was $14 around me last year, I don't know how $20 could be the store cost.

 

Since I don't know the area would you please say where these places are? Considering a trip up there from Philly!

 

Wegmans in Penfield, NY had tons yesterday at $13/4pack.

 

have not seen it on the shelves here in NYC yet, but had on draft last night at The Ginger Man and it was FANTASTIC!

 

$13.00 bucks for a 4 pack??? It was 20.00 here in Michigan last year.

 

Bought a four-pack at Whole Foods here in NYC. Cost nearly $18. Ouch. Big price jump!

 

@Beerbom where in Norcal?