Founders Porter recipe change?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Ursula1007, Jan 2, 2026.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I lived in Baltimore for nearly 10 years, so I know how popular Yuengling is in the area. I'm also aware of the brewery's historical significance. Their beer isn't to my taste, but different strokes and all that. I suspect it was an early starter brewery for many craft beer consumers living on the East Coast.

    That being said, its probably inappropriate and unrealistic to compare it to Founder's, Bells, Anchor and Black Butte, which is what I was originally responding to in this thread.
     
    #41 John_M, Jan 4, 2026
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2026
  2. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    There is no way that I would put it in the same sentence as Founder's, Eddy Fitz, or Black Butte, but you still have to respect it's place. It was the last porter in the world for a few years after Guinness stopped brewing porter and before Anchor started.

    You also haven't explained your confusion over what is an adjunct and what is a flavoring.
     
  3. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't think anyone asked me to... I didn't realize I was confused. Am I? :wink:
     
  4. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    You said you enjoyed adjuncts in BA stouts. I didn't take that to mean that you liked when they added various non-malted grains, cereals, or sugars to the beer to boost alcohol content. I figured you meant fruits, nuts, spices, and other non-fermentable things added purely for flavor.

    But maybe you are a fan of D90 candi or Invert #4?
     
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  5. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    To answer your implied question though, my take is that the lines are blurred when it comes to making a clear distinction. Sure, adjuncts include things like corn, rice, oats and various other cereal grains, but also include things like honey, maple syrup and various other fermentsble and nonfermentable sugars. Many of those adjuncts are used in the making of ba stouts, in addition to things like chocolate, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. Maybe the term is used improperly, but I often see pastry stouts described as being adjunct laden, when I suppose a purist would describe them as flavoring laden.
     
  6. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I'm of the school of thinking that if it ferments out, whether it leaves a pronounced flavor or not, it's an adjunct. If it sits there, it's a flavoring.

    It's why the wine industry stopped thinking craft beer was a threat years ago. The industry started elevating beers that were the equivalent of the lowest common denominator for them. If you paid $20 for a 375ml bottle of chocolate port, you'd be a mark-ass mark. But a lot of folks around here will gladly pay that for the same amount of similar strength beer with chocolate, and celebrate it.

    Before anyone says "barrel-aged", remember, the port was, by definition, aged in a port barrel. Much rarer than a bourbon barrel on these shores.
     
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  7. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Adjuncts (@MrOH : I'm thinking of low or no flavor fermentables like corn, rice, or sugar) aren't a problem if used judiciously. In the 70s, McSorleys, Ballantine XXX Ale, Andeker, and most other top domestic products that I drank then used adjuncts, and I thought they were "malty". I remember that, when Pabst changed Andeker to an all-malt formula in about 80, I thought they had reduced the malt body! These days, I think there is a tendency for many craft brewers to increase attenuation (and alcohol content). Modern palates seem to be used to the lighter mouth-feel. This could contribute to reduced perceived body in a lot of beers
     
    #47 moodenba, Jan 4, 2026
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2026
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  8. CBlack85

    CBlack85 Pooh-Bah (2,762) Jul 12, 2009 South Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I picked up a sixer this weekend to see if I noticed any changes, and while it has been a few years since I had it last, I have to say I think it is as good as ever!

    [​IMG]
     
  9. blueshawk69

    blueshawk69 Pooh-Bah (1,771) Jul 16, 2022 Kansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Just discovered a bottle of Founders Porter hiding in the back of one of the beer fridges.

    Bottled 10-13-22 and always refrigerated since I bought it.

    This was back before they changed from the elaborate artwork labels to the generic, crappy ones today. I'd post a pic but still can't get the sizing correct so, oh well.

    It tasted fine to me, especially for a three year old porter but I don't think that's any help in identifying a recipe change today.

    I'll try & pick up a fresh porter quick to do a comparison but all Founders brews (especially the old standbys) have tasted a skosch less flavorful to me for about....well.....three years now.

    Should have waited to do a comparison but popped the top so...down the hatch.

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    You don't have to worry about sizing a pic when posting it in the forums. Just save the pic at a third-party hosting site such as Imgur.com and bring the Direct Link from that site. Use the Image posting icon at the top of the composing window to place the pic wherever your cursor is situated.

    Specific sizing is only needed when adding a pic of the beer's bottle/can on a brewery's Place page or of the brewery's building itself in Places.
     
    #50 PapaGoose03, Jan 5, 2026
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2026
  11. smutty33

    smutty33 Pooh-Bah (2,172) Jun 12, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Love me some Founders Porter, but I just emailed them about brewing that legendary Imperial Stout again!!! :wink:
     
  12. AlfromPA

    AlfromPA Zealot (613) Dec 9, 2021 Colorado

    Yes, I kind of miss Yuengling beers, especially the Lager and Porter. I lived for many years in PA and got used to drinking them occasionally, when I didn't want a real flavorful beer but rather a lighter one with a little extra flavor at a modest price. I live in CO now and it looks like even Yuengling Lager will never get here--Yuengling's "nationwide" strategy was, apparently, a flop. I gather Shiner Bock (available in CO) is similar to Lager, but I haven't gotten round to trying it yet. In any case it's more expensive than a good ol' 12 pack of Lager cans was in Philly.
     
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  13. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    They just announced Iowa and Wisconsin.
    Already in CO neighbor Kansas (via MC joint venture - map).
     
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  14. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yes, an economically priced, pleasant and easy drinking beer(s).

    My sister now lives in Texas and she occasionally drinks Yuengling Lager. Hopefully they will reach Colorado in the near future.

    Cheers!
     
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  15. BeerFan

    BeerFan Zealot (676) Feb 11, 2003 New Jersey
    Trader

    I'm glad someone else misses that beer!
     
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  16. blueshawk69

    blueshawk69 Pooh-Bah (1,771) Jul 16, 2022 Kansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Just picked up a "fresh" bottle of Founders Porter here in town.

    I always used to give it a 4.25 on 'Dumcrapped' but could only muster a 3.75 for this one.

    Didn't recognize anything that off-putting but it's not as tasty as it used to be.

    Here's my review:

    Bottled 8/21/25. Like all other Founders core brews since the generic-label-rebranding years ago, it's still good but not as flavorful & lacks a little body/mouthfeel compared to the brews of yore.
     
  17. beershrine

    beershrine Pundit (819) May 29, 2004 Idaho

    Don't expect the op to come back on what was started
     
  18. brewme

    brewme Grand Pooh-Bah (4,014) Mar 1, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not sure that I have seen in my area?
     
  19. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

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  20. CBlack85

    CBlack85 Pooh-Bah (2,762) Jul 12, 2009 South Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I found the beer to be the same as I remembered, though it has been a few years since I had it last to when I picked it up this past weekend.

    I also hate the generic label rebranding. It's hard to beat the classic labels

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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