Went to Founders, in Grand Rapids, MI this holiday season and had a few of their beers.
Abominable Iceman - A spiced Ale. I had no idea what to expect with this, and to be honest, the spices were pretty strong to start with. After a few swallows, I grew more used to it, and really kind of liked it. I'm no good at giving detailed tasting reports, but it's basically a Christmas Ale with more spice flavors than I've had in any others. I think it's worth trying if you can find it. A quick look at their website says that they no longer have it on tap.
Harvest Ale - Yep, a Wet Hop Ale! I missed Sierra Nevada's this year, and really wanted to try it. Bought it in a 4-pack from the cooler at the brewery, and let me tell you it was not cheap! BUT! It is a damn tasty beer! Frankly, I had heard so much about the SN version, that I thought I was setting myself up for a let down, but this beer had so much fresh hops flavor that it may have moved up to the top of my preference list! Too bad it's only available for a limited time...
Backwoods Bastard - Basically it's their Dirty Bastard "Dark ruby in color and brewed with ten varieties of imported malts this beer continuously lives up to its reputation as a bold and powerful ale. Dirty Bastard is complex in the finish with hints of smoke and peat paired with a malty richness, finalized with a good bit of hop attitude." Except that it's been Bourbonized. A very tasty beer for that style, and I probably wouldn't choose it every day, but it's just right for those times where you want a bit of something different. Also a limited edition.
Well, I ended up buying a 4-pack of Harvest and a 4-pack of the Backwoods, and I think I dropped like $23... Youch! Well, it was like a christmas present to myself I guess. Anyway, the beer was well it for the experience.
Abominable Iceman - A spiced Ale. I had no idea what to expect with this, and to be honest, the spices were pretty strong to start with. After a few swallows, I grew more used to it, and really kind of liked it. I'm no good at giving detailed tasting reports, but it's basically a Christmas Ale with more spice flavors than I've had in any others. I think it's worth trying if you can find it. A quick look at their website says that they no longer have it on tap.
Harvest Ale - Yep, a Wet Hop Ale! I missed Sierra Nevada's this year, and really wanted to try it. Bought it in a 4-pack from the cooler at the brewery, and let me tell you it was not cheap! BUT! It is a damn tasty beer! Frankly, I had heard so much about the SN version, that I thought I was setting myself up for a let down, but this beer had so much fresh hops flavor that it may have moved up to the top of my preference list! Too bad it's only available for a limited time...
Backwoods Bastard - Basically it's their Dirty Bastard "Dark ruby in color and brewed with ten varieties of imported malts this beer continuously lives up to its reputation as a bold and powerful ale. Dirty Bastard is complex in the finish with hints of smoke and peat paired with a malty richness, finalized with a good bit of hop attitude." Except that it's been Bourbonized. A very tasty beer for that style, and I probably wouldn't choose it every day, but it's just right for those times where you want a bit of something different. Also a limited edition.
Well, I ended up buying a 4-pack of Harvest and a 4-pack of the Backwoods, and I think I dropped like $23... Youch! Well, it was like a christmas present to myself I guess. Anyway, the beer was well it for the experience.