I'm taking a little break from the spring seasonals and lighter fare to take a look at a Founders Curmudgeon. A 9.8% ABV, 50 IBU old ale brewed with molasses and oak aged.Founders is one of my favorite breweries and I'm quite sorry to admit that it's been over six months since I've enjoyed one of their beers here on the blog (that was the delightful Breakfast Stout for those of you keeping score at home). I don't believe I've tried Curmudgeon before so I'm excited to get into it. To the beer!
Curmudgeon pours a stunningly pretty deep, hearty looking scarlet. When the glass is held to light fiery ruby red highlights shine through. A rather stubborn finger of off white head clings on longer than I expected it to and leaves spotty lacing on the way down. This beer is a looker if I've ever seen one.
Rich malty aromas take the lead on this one. Robust bready toffee notes are joined by some faint bits of cinnamon. Dark fruit hints of apple, prune, and raisin are accompanied by subtle oaky notes of vanilla and caramel. Quite complex, but subtle and very inviting.
Curmudgeon is, appropriately, quite full bodied. Robust sweet toffee flavors with just a hint of chocolatey-ness greet the taste buds first. The oak aging makes itself known next as it introduces flavors of vanilla and caramel. There's plenty of fruitiness going on in here as well. Lots of dark fruit to be sure, with notes of apple and plum, but some nice citrus as well. Curmudgeon is very well balanced. It's still a sipper, but a very well balanced sipper. It finishes with a surprisingly crisp hop bite and a lovely bit of booziness.
I really enjoyed this one. Dark, complex, rich, all around damn delicious. One of the best old ales I've had in recent memory. If you're looking for something on the malty/ rich/ hearty side, you would do awfully well to pick up a bottle or two of Curmudgeon. Highly recommended!
HD
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