Founders Barrel Aged Series (Ranking and Discussion)

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019.

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  1. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    I am going to start this by talking about something that may be worth thinking about. I know that barrel aging is nothing new under the adult beverage sun, however for some of us seeing micro breweries go toe to toe with the macros, having something that is an alternative to some flavor profiles is a good thing. With that being said and only having tried 4, I need some enlightenment to the other flavors, just because I have some trading to create or some discussion of what there might be out there. So my list is as follows:

    1. Kentucky Bourbon Stout
    2. Mas Agave
    3. Backwoods Bastard
    4. Barrel Runner

    What do you all think?
     
    #1 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
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  2. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    Here is the order & my ratings for the ones I have had: (some of my ratings are quite at odds with the predominant opinion here - at least according to the sense I get from thread postings - esp 2019 KBS and DKML, IIRC)

    4.59 KBS (2019)
    4.49 KBS (2016)
    4.35 Backwoods Bastard (2017)
    4.30 CBS (2018)
    4.23 Más Agave (2019)
    4.15 Doom (2017)
    4.06 DKML (2017)
    3.66 Barrel Runner (2018)
     
    #2 MNAle, Jul 29, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
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  3. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    What are you referring to here?
     
    #3 MNAle, Jul 29, 2019
  4. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    Having alternatives that are offered, you know rather than the standard lager, ale and pilsner flavors. Barrel aged gives these flavors a distinct flavor profile and very characteristic qualities.
     
    #4 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
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  5. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    But almost every beer produced by the macro breweries is an American Adjunct Lager and they themselves don't even do ales. :slight_smile: (It's easy to go toe to toe with the King of Beers. :grin:)
     
    #5 drtth, Jul 29, 2019
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  6. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    Right, but our friends across the pond mass produce macro ales. It might be easy, until you get bought out by them.
     
    #6 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
  7. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I « only » had CBS, KBS and Backwoods bastard and I’d rank them in this order.

    I had a hard time finishing BB by the way, a heavy beer, yet pretty good.
     
    #7 Shanex, Jul 29, 2019
  8. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Really, now I'm even more confused. Do you have some examples of foreign macro breweries that produce ales? Thanks.
     
    #8 drtth, Jul 29, 2019
  9. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    I meant to say it might be easy to go toe to toe with them, until the King of Beers buy you out. For instance Perrin now being almost completely owned by Budweiser. Sorry for the confusion there.

    As for the macro ales:

    Exhibit #1:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/209/29602/

    Exhibit #2:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/81/639/

    Exhibit #3:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/83/248/

    I know that I might be missing some, but these are all macro brewed ales.

    What about the Founders rating?
     
    #9 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
  10. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    I am very interested in trying CBS once the weather starts cooling off. I agree on the BB rating, BR was just a boozy mess.
     
    #10 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
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  11. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Thanks, that clairifies for me a bit of your thinking. You're using "macro" in a slightly different way than I'm used to hearing. (e.g, thinking of Guinness as a macro brewer.)

    As for the Founders bit I pretty much agree with the rank order that @MNAle presented in his post. (Although there is a least one I've not tried and it's at the bottom of that list.)
     
    #11 drtth, Jul 29, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
  12. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll play the Founders game. At one point, Founders was in my top 5 favorite breweries, & I recall hoping that if I'm a good boy & get to heaven, that it would be much like their Grand Rapids taproom. Here are most of the ones I've sampled:

    1. Nemesis 2009 (4.68)
    2. BA Founders Imperial Stout (4.68)
    3. Curmudgeon's Better Half (4.64)
    4. Sweet Repute (4.35)
    5. Doom (4.30)
    6. Bolt Cutter (4.23)
    7. Blushing Monk (4.03)
    8. Backwoods Bastard (3.98)
    9. CBS (3.95)
    10. KBS (3.79)
    11. Big Luscious (3.74)
    12. Project Pam (3.74)
    13. Footwood (3.63)
    14. Dankwood (3.60)
    15. Mango Magnifico (3.30)
    16. Nemesis 2010 (3.23)
    17. Frangelic Mountain Brown (3.00)
    18. Barrel Runner (2.11)
    19. DKML (1.69)
    20. Lizard of Koz (1.40)

    Looking at this list I find it hard to believe anything ranked below the abomination that was DKML. I also fondly recall running into four pack after four pack of Nemesis 2009 back in the day & being unable to stop buying it. Such an epic beer!
     
    #12 maximum12, Jul 29, 2019
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  13. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    So my list is as follows:

    1. Kentucky Breakfast Stout (5.0)
    2. Mas Agave (5.0)
    3. Blushing Monk (5.0)
    4. Backwoods Bastard (4.0)
    5. Barrel Runner (3.5)

    Oopsie!
     
    #13 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
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  14. officerbill

    officerbill Pooh-Bah (2,228) Feb 9, 2019 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Backwoods Bastard is the only one on your list I really disliked. Dirty Bastard is one of my favorite beers, but with Backwoods all I got was bourbon and vanilla.
    My ranking would be:
    CBS & KBS (tied)
    Mas Agave (nice summer beer)
    Barrel Runner
    Backwoods
    Of course this may change after Underground Mountain comes out.
     
    #14 officerbill, Jul 29, 2019
  15. msscott1973

    msscott1973 Pooh-Bah (1,739) Dec 28, 2013 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Are we just counting beers from the last couple of years since they launched the "Barrel Aged Series" brand? Not going to add a list, but just gonna mention that I really enjoyed DKML (apparently more than most people) and would like to see that one again.
     
    #15 msscott1973, Jul 29, 2019
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  16. JimboBrews54

    JimboBrews54 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2018 Michigan

    Lists or suggestions, whichever might be able to add to the discussion.
     
    #16 JimboBrews54, Jul 29, 2019
  17. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    These are the BA's I have reviewed. Never properly reviewed CBS, but it would be in the top 3 below
    1. KBS 4.83
    2. Backwoods Bastard 4.53
    3. Curmudgeon's Better Half 4.49
    4. DKML 4.31
    5. Dankwood 4.21
    6. Frootwood 4.19
    7. Project PAM 4.1
     
    #17 donspublic, Jul 29, 2019
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  18. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    Me also. I think some were offended by the notion of a malt liquor & the use of corn before they even opened the bottle. I enjoyed it.
     
    #18 MNAle, Jul 29, 2019
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  19. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    1. CBS
    2. KBS
    3. Backwoods Bastard
    4. Dankwood
    5. Frootwood
    6. Doom
    7. DKML
    8. Lizard of Koz

    I could have tried CBH and BR as well, but they weren't worth the effort and expense to me, the first ever Founders BA beers that I didn't bother chasing. I would absolutely love to try Mas Agave and Underground Mountain Brown though, I hope that I will get a chance to chase these down.
     
    #19 Snowcrash000, Jul 29, 2019
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  20. CaptainHate

    CaptainHate Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2006 Ohio

    Count me in too. A craft malt liquor sounds oxymoronic but they made it interesting enough for my tastes.

    Am I the only person who likes Backwoods Bastard the best?
     
    #20 CaptainHate, Jul 30, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019
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