Overall: B

Price: B+

Taste: B-

Type: Bottle

8.5% ABV-50 IBU

First off, if you don’t like Scotch style ales, you won’t like this.  And if you haven’t tried a Founders before, this isn’t a good place to start.  This beer is pretty readily available now, and I don’t think it really represents the style or Founder’s.  It’s not a terrible beer, it just has some odd notes in the bitterness which usually balance out in a traditional Scotch ale.  There are some wonderful citrus hops, especially orange, and spice notes of chesnut and hazelnut.  The beer pours a little cloudy, a deep red with brown amber edges.  It’s got a smooth start, and a bitter finish, but it’s missing something in the middle.  It’s missing real passion.  One friend, who had never had a Scotch ale before, said, “This beer tastes like blood.”  I’m not sure what she meant by that, but I don’t think it was good.  BUT, if you love Scotch ales, this is a fanastic deal for about 12 or 13 dollars a six pack.   It’s a great beer for those who want a bitter, hoppy, strong Scotch that’s drinkable and affordable.  I’m just not that into this.

Conclusion:  Great price, but only for those who love Scotch ales.  I don’t think this is Founder’s best work.  It needs to be more balanced.

Food Pairing: Corned Beef or Pastrami, Kidneys, and Haggis (obviously).

“What event is more awfully important to an English colony than the erection of its first brewhouse?”

-Reverend Sidney Smith

Overall: A-

Price: B+

Taste: A

Type: Can

9.1% ABV-103 IBU

Pours a hazy golden orange, with a light amber tint, like a sunset in the forest.  The aromas are lemon, orange peel, and peach.  I expected strong hops, but the taste is surprisingly smooth, making this an easily drinkable IPA.  It’s also a pretty good price, at ten dollars for a four pack of 12 ounces.  I’d put it on par with Dogfish Head 90 minute, as a solid example of the American IPA.  If you like Sixpoint’s Bengali Tiger, this is the next step up.  I have to say though, that in some ways, the hops are stronger in Bengali.  Don’t be fooled though, this is still an imperial IPA, just without the bitter punch.  I love Sixpoint for maintaining  the complexity and strength of the best.  This is the perfect IPA for people looking for complex hop taste, without the extreme bitterness associated with imperials.  The smooth creamy flavor takes over after the complex bitterness, and on multiple sips, the hops are just a joyous after thought.  I think Sixpoint should make more doubles out of their normal beers (especially a double wit based on the Crisp).

In Conclusion:  For people who are looking for a complex IPA, without the extreme bitterness.  Wonderful light lemon notes, very drinkable.

Food Pairing: Hearty and Spicy foods, especially Spicy Indian, Mackeral, and Chorizo.

“Whiskey and Beer are a man’s worst enemies… but the man that runs away from his enemies is a coward!”

– Zeca Pagodinho