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Curmudgeon

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Old Ale · One of 5 Old Ales in hopIQ

Curmudgeon is an old ale of 9.8 percent brewed with molasses and a heavy focus on malt, then aged on oak. Molasses and dark treacle lead, followed by burnt caramel, toffee, fig and date, while the oak adds vanilla and a light woody dryness. The body is rich and the sweetness recalls a barley wine, yet the beer stays smooth for its strength. A regular release until 2018, it has returned as part of the Kosmicki Collection brewed for Michigan.

ABV
9.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Old Ale.
Malt character
malty
caramel
Distinctive notes
oak
vanilla
dark fruit

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Curmudgeon

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to chestnut brown, translucent and well-defined. The head is modest but persistent, with fine Schaumkleiden adhering to the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is moderate and integrated, lending a soft visual presence appropriate to the oak-aged character.

deep amber-browntranslucentpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Molasses and dark treacle dominate the nose, creating a sweet, syrupy foundation. Oak aging contributes vanilla and subtle woody notes, while burnt caramel and hints of fig and date emerge beneath. The overall character is rich and warming, with no sharp alcohol bite despite the 9.8% ABV.

molasses, treacleoak, vanilla, woodburnt caramel, dried fruit

◐ Taste

The palate opens with pronounced molasses sweetness and burnt caramel, evolving into toffee and dark stone fruit flavors. Oak-derived vanilla and a gentle woody dryness provide structure and prevent cloying. Bitterness registers at a restrained 35 IBU, balancing the malt sweetness without dominating; the body is rich and full, recalling barley wine weight yet remaining smooth.

molasses, toffee, carameloak vanillabalanced sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is warm and lingering, with residual molasses sweetness and oak dryness persisting. The aftertaste leans toward dried fig and date, with a gentle woody undertone that extends the experience without harshness.

warm, lingeringmolasses afterglow
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Curmudgeon

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Curmudgeon

About Old Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Old Ale?

Old Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Old Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same oak, malty, rich character as Curmudgeon will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Old Ales in hopIQ

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