Thoughts on Backwoods Bastard

Completely disagree, actually. I had a couple of them last night and I would say it's just a perfect example of a -bal scotch ale. Though I guess most people would contend that the styles (barleywine and scotch ale) aren't too far apart, so the comparison is valid.

 

It's not very hoppy for my tastes. And at 50 IBUS and 10.2%, its no surprise really. I'd also say that it's quite a bit of mouthfeel short of a good barleywine.

 

After repeatedly professing my love for Backwoods around here, I had my first new bottle of the year last night...and was completely disappointed. Seemed too thin, and I got nothing but watery bourbon notes.

My palate is realy screwed up right now. I'm getting all the wrong notes from some of my favorite beers, and I've drained-poured more than a few beers recently that I know I would typically like. And this isn't just reserved to one or two styles. I think I'm gonna have to take a total beer break for a while. This blows.

 

M

Nah, this year comes across thin to me too.

 

I think this is the best use of bourbon barrels in beer making. This is coming from a big bourbon drinker. It's the closest thing to bourbon in beer form that I have ever experienced. Love it.

I enjoy a ton of barrel aged stuff, I would just say that as far as balance of flavor, and pairing flavor profiles, it really nails it. It's like steak and Cabernet or foie gras and Sauternes up in this.

 

It's not the same beer I've had in the past. Just imo it has this vanilla presence that almost comes off fake tasting. Not that lil vanilla you get from the barrel normally, it almost taste like they added vanilla to it or something (though they probably didn't). Theres much less bourbon presence and no heat like I actually liked in previous years.

 

I think this year's was very tasty and maybe had more barrel notes than last year's, but it did seem thinner to me.

Still an excellent beer, in my opinion. I'll likely try to find more of it.

 

It's way too thin to come off as a barleywine. Definitely a Scotch IMO.

I haven't had this years yet, but this is a very thin beer for what you might expect. It has been this way for years at least, so I think the "it's thinner this year" is one of those annual releases playing tricks on your mind things that we see all the time around here.

I like the beer a lot, though it's usually really hot fresh and I like to let it sit a bit.

 

Tastes like Bourbon.

 

You dont need to believe the "hype" but at least flirt with the "hype". There just might be a reason many folks are saying its thin. Backwoods is USUALLY very hot, which I appreciate in the winter months but this years has very, very, lil heat. This is my favorite beer to age but I dont see how age will help this its already so mellow, but it might thicken it up a bit.

 

I enjoyed it, I agree it is a little thin, but has nice kick of bourbon up front that really doesn't stay with you like other BA beers. Something that I definitely want to grab a few 4 packs for the rest of the winter.

 

Its got a lot going on but its a great beer. Pour in a snifter and kick back for a while and relax with a tastefully crafted and layered beer with bourbon and vanilla notes.

Cheers!

 

I had one the other night, it does run a little "hot" but thats what I guess I am looking for in a BA Wee Heavy in November. Anyone tried to age BB at all? How does it mellow?

 

Tastes fantastic..... very bourbon forward while not being very "Hot" in terms of alcohol.

 

Now I want to open a bottle of Pride or Quilceda Creek Cab and fire up the grill! Either that or open a bottle of Yquem for an apertif. Damn you!

 

I will not apologize for making you enjoy deliciousness.

I think I will have a burger and a Backwoods.

 

Just bought my 4 pack today and haven't had it yet. I absolutely loved last years. This only my opinion but I prefer it to kbs , albeit slightly. Founders imperial stout & fbs are right behind. I find that I enjoy backwoods considerably more around 50-55 degrees. For those who thought this years was thin, how cold were you drinking it?

 

The do have Curmudgeon, granted not a Barleywine but it is along the same lines. Not many breweries do both, some could consider that redundant.

 

I had a 2010 not long ago, never had last year's. This sucker aged so wonderfully so I had to find some from this year, came across a case of it and I woulda bought it but oi that's a bit o cash and the shop had Stone's Lucky 13stard on the shelf...which apparently they weren't supposed to put on the shelf until next week so yay and I had to get some of that.

Anyways, cracked a BB wed when a buddy came over who likes beer but usually just buys Red Stripe or something random not great. So he loves coming over because he says he gets to try things he believes only exist on another planet :-D so I figured eh lets BB it up. OH man what a treat this thing is fresh, I still think age does it wonders but I love it. Its like a weird mix between a Barleywine and a Strong Ale, but damn good. I will agree a bit thin on the mouth, but I don't mind that so much. If i want beefy mouth feel I'll throw down some Breakfast Stout or any of the other random RS in my cellar.

 

Oh lurchingbeast, don't get that conversation started again!

 

Absolutely, they both take on the liquid state at room temperature

 

I agree. Either the 2012s are a little less hot out of the gate or I've been drinking so many high alcohol, barrel aged beers that my perception has been changed a little bit.

Overall it's a very good beer.

 

It's awesome all around as is the lower ABV base beer. I'm so glad it was easy enough for me to buy 2 four packs and have it around this winter.

 

I tried it for the first time this week. As I don't really drink hard alcohol anymore (used to occasionally have scotch or whiskey), I found this to be quite refreshing. As others stated, it wasn't like any other barrel aged beer I've had before. Other bourbon beers you can pick up bourbon + other notes from the base beer. This brew just seemed like a drinkable bourbon (which I really enjoyed).

 

I'm suprised to see so many people say this beer seems thin this year. As the beer settled and the carbonation decreases it is clearly full-bodied(the stuff is nearly like half&half). Secondly, everyone needs to stop trusting their own palates so much. It's a bunch of chemical receptors that get tired, clogged, burnt, ect. Take note. Note definitive opinion.

 

Cracked open one of the few bottles I got so far this season a few nights ago, and I really, really liked it a lot more than I remember liking it last year. Partially for some the reasons some of you guys are saying you don't like this year's batch as much, ha.

 

A very tasty beer.

 

I thought it tasted like a scotch ale that had a really smooth after taste. Or, to answer the question in the topic: Thoughts? Damn good.

 

I wish I had thoughts on it - last year I drank a case - every bottle was fantastic. This year I was shut out.

 

Recently had this alongside Olde Hickory's Seven Devils....and I'm not sure I can ever enjoy another Backwoods Bastard again.

 

I loved it and i wish it would be available here in Holland. I would drink it on a daily base!

Thijs

 

I had it (this years) a couple of times and thought it was just as good as last year ,
Can't wait for the "This years HopSlam" tastes different than last years thread..