Founders - Project PAM

Other than the bourbon barrel, this malt/hops balancing sounds like Double Bastard, which to me is a nice balance between the two. Bought one bottle which I'm eager to try.

 

This is a pretty good brew. Definitly different in a good way. A little sweeter then I anticipated.. I do agree with others that it may be even better if it ages a bit.

 

Had some on tap the other day. It didn't really taste like a Black IPA. I think the syrup cancelled that out. It was still really good, though.

 

I've never found it true that any beer tastes "better" with age. Especially Founders. And I've tried aged bottles of almost each of Founder's beers the past 3 years. This things already aged, no need to throw it in the basement for longer.

 

Did you try 2015 KBS fresh? Have you tried it recently? It is definitely a better beer after about 6 months in the bottle.

For those in this thread (like me) that have already had Project PAM and didn't enjoy the hoppy bitterness it very well could taste better (to me) with age as the hops fade.

But, if you only have one bottle and haven't tried it yet you really should open it now.

 

As a fan of Hopped up stouts, this hit the mark for me. The maple/barrel adds some complexity, but not sweetness.

 

Exactly. For me this was just ok, nothing spectacular. Got two bottles, so I can check the fresh one off my list. Might as well let the 2nd sit in the name of science. And my perspective is that of someone who is not a hop-head.

 

Found it in my hometown last night - bought a bottle and shared it with the regulars. I thought it was great. There's a good bit of hops in the nose, but they aren't as present in the taste. Mostly I got bourbon, maple and wood. Drank more like a barley wine to me. I bought two bottles - will likely go back and pick up more tonight. There's no way this doesn't age well. I'll pop another in about a year... once the tiny bit of hops dies down, this is going to be an amazing beer.

@JdoubleA - you'd love this beer.

I'm guessing it's a one-off, right? That's what it says on BA - curious if any of you folks lucky enough to live near the brewery have seen this there in the past.

 

Yes it is a "one-off", the latest installment in their "Backstage Series". They certainly have never bottled a beer like this before and I don't recall ever seeing anything like it on tap.

 

They did Syrup del Noche at 2011 Black party, which I thought was really good. It was lower abv around 7.5. They did Rock me like a Maple Cane for 2012 Black Party which was 8.5%. They also did a black IPA in maple barrels for I believe the 2014 black party that came in at 10.6% so its probably the closest to/is Project PAM. I missed the 2014 Black Party, so I couldn't tell you if it tastes similar.

 

I thought this worked out great considering the style. I agree with others though that the I want the hops to be toned down a bit because they kinda overpower the maple toward the end. But lets admit it, "want the hops to fade" is a clever way of saying, "I wish this was CBS"

 

Still turding away at our store.

 

No distro to my neck of the woods. I'll just have to stick with the Bastard.

 

When I had their Sherry Barrel Imperial Black IPA at the black party earlier this year, it was awesome. Even next to CBS and Panther Cub, it had the most flavor and was the most enjoyable. I hope this turns out to be similar.

 

They had a beer at the 2012 black party called rockyoulikeamaplecane, which was a bourbon maple syrup aged black IPA and it was amazing, one of the best of the night. If this isn't the same beer it's probably just slightly different.

 

Just being silly dude.

 

What, just because I don't chase taps?

 

So apparently the name comes from a 70's **** movie....

 

I didn't completely dislike this one but found it to be a good bit lost in the middle. A bit lighter and hoppy would have made it a really interesting black IPA with some extra wood and sweet notes, but it was too beefed up for that. Yet, it just didn't have the body to hold up to the hot bourbon notes going on. All in all, it just seemed lost.

I will say that it had a really nice lingering maple vanilla aftertaste that was very nice, somewhat reminiscent of the Barleywine they aged in the maple bourbon barrels.

 

JFC dude. I was just yanking your chain. No need to go all nutso just because I'm trying to be funny.