Really missing Founders Curmudgeon. Are there any alternatives?

I'd recommend North Coast Old Stock, Ayinger Celebrator, and Founders Backwoods Bastard.

 

Erie Ol' Red Cease & Decist. I love that stuff. Hard to come by in local store. Used to have on tap at local Pub.

 

Sounds like classic American oak flavors. Age will definitely soften that quality and gradual oxidization has a whole other effect that really can’t be achieved other than by time itself.

While not really the same vein at all, Schneider Weiss Aventinus Eisbock has a good sweetness with an easy finish. Even the Aventinus Weisenbock is another great malt-driven strong(ish) beer. Although you’d be missing the oak characteristics, it’s not uncommon to find some old vintages of the Weisenbock as they occasionally send some out into distribution.

 

Maybe Traquair house ale could fill that void?

 

I came across two 4-packs just a couple of weeks ago, grabbed them, and could not believe my good fortune. These were bottled in 2018, the last year they had in the lineup. I had emailed Founders about a month earlier after downing my last, and asked when they cycle back. They said maybe in the future. I am perpetually looking for it!

 

I always preferred Bell's Third Coast Old Ale and North Coast Old Stock Ale to Curmudgeon. I think they all drink better with a couple of years on them. You might also try JW Lees Harvest Ale, although it's going to be more costly, probably $7-10/bottle. There aren't many readily available analogues out there, though. Old Ales are harder to find than Scotch Ales. It's been a while since I had it but I found Curmudgeon atypical for the style, rather mellow and dry, others tend to have more dried fruit characteristics. Have you dabbled in barleywines? Especially the English side of the style?

What did you think of the Better Half treatment of Curmudgeon?

 

With your first post, I was going to tell you that the flavor from the oak probably appealed to you and that you should look for any strong ale with oak aging that wasn't bourbon barrel aged... but such beers are becoming increasingly rare these days (hence your situation). But when I got to your other post and saw your reaction to Backwoods Bastard, it's clear that you should try more bourbon barrel aged strong ales rather than avoid them.

 

Was just thinking that or Skull Splitter.

 

Avery makes Old Jubilation Old Ale in 6packs/12 oz cans for a very reasonable price and around that 8% ABV level like Curmudgeon so it’s easy to drink one in a sitting. I’m a huge fan of Curmudgeon and really miss it. The Avery product is a decent substitute IMO for a market without many options in this beer style.

 

I feel the OP's pain in that I was a lover of Curmudgeon and bought more than my share of Better Half as well (still have a fair amount in the basement). None of the others mentioned here are as good IMHO but North Coast Old Stock Ale with four or five years on it is a nice beer. Here's to hoping Founders brings back that grumpy old guy.

 

I do agree if you put a few years on the North Coast Old Stock it gets closer to Curmudgeon. If you haven't had the Old Stock Cellar Reserve, I'd try that.

 

FWIW my 7th highest rated beer of all time was a 2013 vintage North Coast’s Old Stock Cellar Reserve. Absolutely delicious, and reasonably priced. I never had Curmudgeon, but I did have Better Half and found it a bit too sweet. Old Stock Reserve is not too sweet, but definitely complex and you can pick up the molasses notes

 

You beat me to it by a few seconds

 

Traquair stuff is awesome but expensive. Old Peculiar is quite nice too, not sure if it is still imported though. McEwans Scotch Ale perhaps?