Founders - Curmudgeon's Better Half (2018)

Nice, I am going to give this a go. I am a big fan of the BA series and while yes some I definitely liked more than others I did enjoy all that I have tried thus far.

 

I've just had my first bottle from this year's batch and compared it to 2012 by updating my review. This year certainly looks better.

I poured it at around 48 degrees and the aroma was bourbon dominate but the aroma and flavor got much more complex and enjoyable as it warmed towards room temperature.

It took about 40 minutes for me to finish (and enjoy) the 12oz bottle; sipping slowly but not trying to hold back. Good stuff. I bought 2 four packs, which will last me a good, long while.

 

I’m very happy with this beer. I’ve been waiting since the original release and it’s certainly met my expectations. Will probably pick up another 4 pack this weekend.

 

What county did you pick it up in?

 

Lancaster

 

Just tried it last night. Very interesting beer....like most Founders beers. Grew more pleasurable as it warmed and my palate adjusted to the mix of flavors. Will buy more.

 

Anyone in Florida see this yet? I swung by total wine recently and they still didnt have it in stock

 

I absolutely love this beer and so glad that I got a four pack vs a single.

 

Keeping an eye out for this in Nashville! Have always enjoyed Curmudgeon so I can't see any reason why this wouldn't be amazing.

 

Had a bottle of this over the weekend. It's good, but it needs some time for the base beer to come through. Right now the barrel dominates, and the beer is not all that different from Backwoods Bastard. Still quite good, and tastes like it should develop quite nicely.

 

Not at all different than Backwoods Bastard? Are you kidding me? Have you ever had Backwoods Bastard? Backwoods Bastard does not have maple flavor and not aged in maple barrels. Backwoods Bastard is just a super bourbon forward beer, Better Half is a super sweet maple syrupy mess with some bourbon notes that are over taken by maple. Now if it was a barrel aged Curmudgeon without maple then maybe Backwoods would compare.

 

Everyone has different opinions on this for sure.

For me, it was 'fine.' It was not at all 'sweet,' but rather just 'not bitter.' It did, however have a very alcohol-forward taste, or "hot" to me. I rarely say this. I didn't think the maple or barrel were particularly dominant, although the barrel shows itself some in the ABV with that similar feeling in the back of your throat that you might get when you take a sip of bourbon.

Personally, I was disappointed. I wanted more maple to come through than it did. Hoping a little time in the cellar will mellow the 'heat' a little bit. I believe this could be great, but I really do not think that it is right now.

YMMV

 

What @BenHoppy said, plus BB is a Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy and CBH is an Old Ale. Comparing apples-to-oranges.

 

For what it's worth, I also got a lot of similar flavors to Backwoods, Regardless of the difference in style. Palate's differ.

 

Yes, I can read the labels too. I have been drinking Backwoods Bastard for many years now, even served it at my wedding, so I think I have a pretty solid feel for what that beer tastes like. This beer tastes pretty similar. I don't find Better Half to be significantly sweeter than Backwoods Bastard, nor is the maple overwhelming on the palate.

Jesus, all I said was that the flavor was similar, not that it's the exact same beer. Both are high gravity, malty, lightly hopped British style ales, so they do share some similarities. It's not unexpected that these beers would taste similar to one another, particularly fresh.

 

Maybe your batch was better. If Better Half was less sweet maybe I could agree and get where you compare the 2 but Better Half is so overly maple sweet it just doesn't taste as amazing as Backwoods Bastard. Backwoods Bastard is one of my favorite beers and Better Half was one of my least favorites. Guess that's why I see it being a poor comparison. If Backwoods Bastard had maple splashed in it then I'd say we could compare. So maybe Better Half is like Backwoods Bastard with maple when really it's more like Curmudgeon splashed with maple. I just have hard time comparing Backwoods Bastard because Backwoods Bastard has no maple.

 

You understand, I hope, that in your opinion of this beer, you are in a small minority. The vast majority of reviews here and on Untappd have been stellar.

 

I understand just like I'm in the minority when it comes to Barrel Runner and Doom being stellar beers.

 

Not to drudge up past posts but...Aren't you also the person that said that they thought BCBS has no barrel while KBS was like licking the barrel?

I am grateful for when anyone shares their opinion. I love that palates are so different. That said, I think you are correct that your palate (on average) seems to be far and away different than others (on average).

 

Somewhat agree. It's "good" right now (after warming from the fridge for about 30 minutes)....it CAN be great after 6-12 months aging as it's pretty all-over-the-place right now...much like Olde School Barleywine. Oh, and I will say that Backwoods Bastard is outstanding on it's own.