The Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.(Grand Rapids, MI)
The Brew: Curmudgeon (Old Ale)
Availability: Draft and bottles (Seasonal)
ABV: 9.8% | 50 IBUs
Rating: 9/10
Location: Blue Monk (Buffalo, NY)
The Story? I was on a bit of an old ale kick early in the year, coinciding with the pending seasonal release of Founders Curmudgeon - an old ale brewed with molasses, then oak-aged. As with any Founders seasonal, I waited with ample anticipation, but alas, the Curmudgeon season came and went and I missed out... or so I thought.
On tour, our crew decided to treat ourselves to excellent burgers and top-shelf brews at the lauded Blue Monk. Curmudgeon eased what would have been a tough decision amongst so many stellar ales.
The Beer? Aesthetically, we're met with a creamy head and caramel color, while bitter notes and alcoholic raisin waft through the nose.
Open wide and we have a powerfully smooth blend of strong malts, bitter hops, and boozy oak. The molasses is an excellent addition. Delightfully easy down. Raisin, brown sugar, a hint of earth, toffee, and oak could all appear on your taste-punch card, but all swimming together in harmony.
On paper, this old ale sounds like it would tip the sweet scale with such heavy emphasis on and plethora of malts - plus molasses - but instead, the excellent balance of hops and maturing, smoothing nature of oak-aging (a staple of all my favorite old ales and barelywines) combines to create a deceptively drinkable and deliciously balanced take on a classic style.
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