Dirty Bastard - Founders Review
Scotch ales are often a wallop. That’s what we love about them: their strong ABV and malty character that’s like a meal with a hearty dessert. And not everyone brews them, which helps iconic brands like Founders Brewing, started in 1997, stay on the map in the ever-changing world of craft beer.
Dirty Bastard (a fitting name for a Scotch-style ale) is a Founders favorite but has yet to make it to the Brew house, because it can be a little intimidating. Brewed with Abbey and Crystal malt, and Nugget and Willamette hops, Dirty Bastard rounds out at a hefty 8.5% ABV and 50 IBUs. And I must say, I’m often leery of American retellings of European classics. It’s hard to pay homage and be unique.
This is a beer that requires experience, and with some gained we’re ready to brawl with this Dirty Bastard.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Founders describes Dirty Bastard as dark ruby, and they ain’t lying. And this jewel is topped with a persistent beige head. Both colors fitting the label they wrapped it in.
On the Nose--Malty and crisp with an upfront caramel and a mild spice. Very intriguing and very approachable for a strong beer. But something tells me it's a disguise.
On the Palate--Complex and bitter out of the gate with a wonderful hoppiness necessary to compete with the rich malt. The caramel from the aroma takes a backseat to the deeper and dried fruit character of the Abbey and Crystal malt, both fantastic European malts. The mouthfeel is smooth and the body full, and it goes down easy as a sipper. After the first few sips, a deeper tobacco note lingers, adding to the complexity of this Scotch-style ale that coats the mouth and soothes the drinker on the back of the 8.5% ABV.
Final Thoughts:
Drinking beer is like traveling the world. You can taste the beers they brew in Germany, England, Mexico, and transport yourself to a pub with local food. It can be quite an experience… if the beer lands. Sometimes it doesn’t, and the beer just reminds us of drinking bad beer.
That is not the case with Dirty Bastard from Founders.
When assessing an ale with a distinct origin, we ask: What makes this beer like the original? And what makes it unique? Well, with Dirty Bastard, the malt choices of Abbey and Crystal (and maybe Special B with the dried fruit flavor) take us back to Europe with these commonly used malts, and the heavy hand of Nugget and Willamette (a daughter of the iconic British Fuggle) hops, both American, give this beer a unique stroke, and quite an intense hoppiness.
The complexity is fantastic, with an almost deceptive caramel and spice in the aroma that give way to resiny and floral hop bitterness, tobacco, and dried fruit flavors that go down in a full and smooth sip. Dirty Bastard is an icon for a reason, and fits its namesake like a tailored kilt.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Want more from Founders’s amazing line-up? Try a Brew house favorite: Centennial IPA. Or go for something hoppy and approachable with All Day IPA