Founders Bourbon Apple Cream Ale
Poured a slightly cloudy dark gold color, with a typical cream white colored head. Settled quickly and left a moderate lace. Definitely less head than I'd have expected for a nitro pour. Smell is primarily that of fresh apples, though there is a hint of raisin and...urine? Some sort of mild funk at the end for sure, though whether urine is the best descriptor I cannot say. While Founders tends to make flavor-forward beers, this one was quite a bit more laid back. Has the light taste of a typical cream ale, backed with a not inconsiderable bit of apple. Sadly, the apple is not especially tart nor especially sweet. It is just there. Doesn't seem to add much. But it mostly obscures the bourbon, and in doing so mellows out too much. Slightly bitter aftertaste, though not clearly attributable to any of the above elements, nor to hops, which seemed not to get so much as a cameo role here. Much as I love Founders, this is a sub-par effort on their part. The name hooked me, as it seemed a rather ambition and original proposition. But the combo didn't work well, as the end result was a somewhat off-tasting blend of elements that served to obscure one another. It was easy enough to drink, but I can't see myself having it again.