#259: Founders » Dissenter (IIPL)

Founders » Dissenter (Imperial India Pale Lager)
ABV: 8.7% | IBUs: 70 | Rating: 9.2

I found myself lucky enough to enjoy Founders' latest Backstage Series on draft and bottles within a weeks time. At first, I thought an IPL was a bit lackluster for the series, compared to some of the jaw dropping creativity in previous editions, but then seeing the word 'Imperial' and that Founders' hadn't released a lager in twelve years... I trust those Michigan folks with what they're doing. And rightfully so.

A highly alluring plume of huge aromatic hops is apparent event from a distance, emitting from a translucent golden body and fluffy, fading, lacy head.

Grapefruit, pith, and grass notes are abound in the nose with a touch of resin.

For the bottle, the flavor is tight and bitter, even venturing into mildly astringent with it's dry finish. The body is light and quite lager-like, sporting a mild mouthcoat for such robust hop-forwardness.

Ongoing swarms of yellow grapefruit and tons of rind flavors delightfully pummel the palate with the very slightest flip of sweetness on the finish, that's just faintly apparent in the nose as well, reminiscent of mild honey.

On draft, the nose is a blend of juicy citrus and herbal notes in the nose followed up all smooth, hoppy, and spicy. Prickly carbonation kicks off each sip, then settling in, and drying in the far finish.

An excellent, well-balanced and unique hop experience that's not too punch-in-the-face. Worth checking out on draft and bottles.

#159: Founders Brewing Co. Sweet Repute (Barrel-Aged Wheatwine)

Sweet bliss...

The Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.(Grand Rapids, MI)
The Brew: Sweet Repute (Barrel-Aged Wheatwine)
Availability: Draft and bottles (limited)
ABV: 12.6%
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: Tug Hill (Cabin)
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? I stopped down to Fingerlakes Beverage Center to pick up something special for our anniversary trek up to the Tug Hill Plateau. I didn't have anything particular in mind, but figured this time of year there's always something limited, outrageous, and boozy to be found. And boy, did I find it.

I always try to grab a bottle of Founders Backstage series whenever it arrives. I missed the Mango Magnifico release, so when I saw their latest, Sweet Repute, staring back, their was no hesitation. This sweet beast is one-hundred percent barrel aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels and bourbon barrels over the course of sixteen months, then blended using carefully calculated ratios for the delivered brew. Wowzah.

The Beer? Sweet Repute opens with a big nose of honey and bourbon. Subtler notes of maple and oak are present as well after a more focus whiff. There's a touch of white head atop it's hazy gold body. Enough talk... time to drink.

This is booze-candy. Straight up. This isn't even beer - angel-tears nectar maybe? Strong flavors of caramel, candy sugar, vanilla, cream soda, toffee and a hefty dose of butterscotch make for a delicious start right out of the gate. It's boozy, as the 12.6% would infer, but with a medium body and gradual mouthcoat. Excellent.

Further through, roasted toffee notes emerge in the finish and the maple and bourbon flavors build, giving it more of a bite. This is no shy beer and more full bodied than more wheatwines I've encountered. There's even a bit of spruce and herbal notes on the front end of the second glass.

Overall, a truly expert crafted beer. It won't be for everyone, but for those it's for, it's luscious euphoria. A sweet/strong benchmark.