On tap at Founders. Despite the rather unoriginal name, this is an amped-up version of the Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale rather than an incredibly hopped IPA as its better known namesake is. The malts take top billing here; big caramels and fruit compete with hints of piney hops. Toast and coffee become apparent after a few sips, and the beer becomes almost candylike over time. Alcohol is not very noticeable. Like a big, fruity I2PA without the hops.

On tap at Founders and also newly bottled (the first new bottled Founders beer in some time). This is a rather aggressively hopped dark rye beer; the crisp, spicy, piney hops complement the tingly, spicy, and somewhat fruity rye malt. The flavor profile is quite dense and almost takes on a roasted character. I think this will be popular once it’s distributed.

On tap at Founders. Hazy yellow/straw body, thin off-white head. The beer is called "Chamomile" and the namesake dominates both the flavor and aroma. I imagined sitting next to a box of Kleenex on a snowy winter day, sipping on this beer from a tea cup between sniffles. Behind the strong chamomile flavor was a light, somewhat tangy malt body. An interesting concept but uninspired attempt.

Re-rate, based on bottled version, 2006. This beer has changed considerably since its inception as Belgian Quadruple, now known officially as Bad Habit Quad. Cloudy deep orange-brown body, medium buff head. Aroma of bananas (candy corn), caramel, and breads, with sharp alcohol and yeast esters. Heavy spice bitterness at the front of the palate, leading to banana and candy corn in addition to brown sugar. Sweet, followed by warming alcohol presence. Bitter spicy finish. I rated one of the early tap versions higher (see below), which had a stronger alcohol punch and cherry flavors, but this is a better-crafted beer overall, and one that is drinkable enough to be considered a "session" ale for its style. That said, this does not come close to the best examples of the style in complexity or depth.

Previous rating: on tap at Founders. The chalkboard listed this (new) batch at 10% ABV. Rumors of criticism are highly exaggerated. Deep red-brown body, thin off-white head dissipating to a ring of carbonation (that left nice lacing). Thick, rich caramel aroma leading to brown sugar, sweet candies, dark fruit (cherry), a hint of chocolate, alcohol, and toast. Flavor carried over much of this complexity with dense caramels and dark, sweet candied fruit (cherry, raspberry), toast, and a hint of chocolate. Had a bit of a grape Dimetap aspect without the foul aftertaste. Hints of cinnamon. Rather syrupy body, and the alcohol is not overbearing. I really enjoyed this, but I can see why it would come across too sweet for some. 8-4-8-4-15 (3.9).

On tap at Founders. This was pretty disappointing overall. Clear straw body, thin off-white head. Served too cold to detect much aroma, but I did pick up on some grassy hops. Flavor is lightly sweet, biscuity, and grassy, hinting at corn sugars. Tight carbonation. Overall there just isn’t much going on here.

On tap at Founders. Cloudy yellow (barely hinting at orange) body, medium off-white head. Apricot, tangy wheat malt, and biscuit comprise the aroma. Flavor of said tangy wheat with strong apricot (and apricot skin) bite, finishing with crisp carbonation and lingering fruit skin. Not too bad, but most fruit beers tend to be of limited complexity, and this is no exception.

2004 draught at MBGSBF. I believe they said it used 15% rye but you dont really taste the rye. More of an astringent bitterness on the finish, earthy and almost metallic. There’s plenty of other malt in there to give it some sweetness through the main part of the body which is coarse and lightly watery. But not too much so and as it wraps up the flavor, a nice mildly sweet honey/malt flavor lingers on as well as the bitter finish. Good moderately deep red color, small off-white head and a very resinous aroma.

2004 draught at the MBGSF. Pours a pale white gold with a small white head. Aroma of lightly floral hops, pale malt and a bit of bready yeast. Flavor is quite dry, lightly astringent and very hoppy. Not hugely bitter, but pleasingly floral and soft. Malt is there to add body, but little sweetness. That’s ok because it’s spot on for an APA and a lighter one at that.

On tap at Founders. Had the Devil Dancer I3PA a few weeks ago and this is hard to differentiate from that beer. Clear orange-brown body, thin cream-colored head that leaves nice lacing. Aroma is light (because the beer is served so cold), but bitter piney/grapefruity hops are apparent. Extremely hoppy flavor of pine and grapefruit skin, interplaying with the caramely sweet malt body to create a candy-like fruity flavor bordering on artificial cherry. Medium-thick bodied, leaving a bitter finish. Quite good. Alcohol isn’t as apparent as it is in Devil Dancer but otherwise the beers are similar beasts.

On tap at Founders. This beer didn’t come together for me. Fairly clear red-brown body, thin off-white head. Very light aroma (served too cold!) of grassy hops and cherry syrup. Flavor of cherry syrup, tart (and a touch woody) cherry skin, and underlying toasty malt with bitter hops. Had an acidic bite and just a hint of alcohol. The malt backbone wasn’t strong enough to support the cherry flavor. Syrupy aftertaste. At $4.50/pint this was an expensive mediocre beer!