Founders Curmudgeon Review

Founders Brewing is a pretty well known brewery based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan (which was also named Beer City USA by Travel & Leisure.) They are also known for their KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), Regular Breakfast Stout and a variety of other beers.

Curmudgeon (Kur-mud-gee-un) is an interesting beer. Aside from the old man leering back at you on the label, it is also classified as an Old Ale; Which is, as the name suggests, an old style of brewing from hundreds of years ago.

It pours a dark hazy orange color with a minute filmy head and leaves some lacing along the sides.

My first impression of the nose is a strong oak scent followed by some chocolate, caramel and citrus hops. It reminds me of an Oaked Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewing. The flavor has some strong oak, caramel chocolate, raisin and citrus hop notes with a fairly strong malty backbone.

Thanks to the molasses used in the brewing process, the body is very very thick but it goes down incredibly easy because of it's light carbonation and smooth palate. There were a couple of lines of molasses floating around in the glass, which is probably left over from the brewing process; Not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning. The alcohol is very well masked here, impressive considering it's 9.8% ABV.

It may be hard to say, but Curmudgeon is a very good beer. The molasses could be a turn-off to some as this beer has it in spades and it's pretty evident in the palate. Aside from that you have an excellent beer!

Founders Curmudgeon - 9.25/10