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Founders Dirty Bastard

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Scottish Ale · One of 22 Scottish Ales in hopIQ

A big, bold Scotch ale with rich caramel, toffee, smoked malt and dark fruit. Full-bodied, warming and complex. One of America's finest Scottish-style ales and proof that Michigan can brew any style brilliantly.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
See all Scottish Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

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

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Scottish Ale.
Malt character
caramel
malty
roasted
toasty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
smoky
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Strong Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Founders Dirty Bastard

Appearance

Deep amber to dark brown in color, demonstrating the rich malt bill characteristic of Scottish Wee Heavies. Excellent head retention with a tan, creamy foam that clings to the glass. Clear with good body evident in the slow pour.

deep amberdark browncreamy headclear

Aroma

Inviting nose of roasted and smoked malts blended with caramel sweetness and subtle toffee notes. Dark fruit esters emerge alongside earthy undertones with a touch of alcohol warmth. Complex aromatic profile that showcases the malt-forward character of the style.

roasted maltcaramelsmokeddark fruit

Taste

Bold, full-bodied palate opens with rich caramel and toffee sweetness, transitioning through roasted and nutty flavors. Smoked malt character provides depth and complexity, balanced by moderate bitterness and warming alcohol. Dark fruit notes persist through the mid-palate, creating a sophisticated, layered experience.

rich caramelmaltyfull-bodiedbalanced bitterness

Finish

Warming, lingering finish that showcases the 8.5% ABV with pleasant alcohol heat. Residual sweetness and roasted flavors fade gradually, leaving a satisfying aftertaste of toffee and toasted bread.

warminglingeringroasted aftertaste
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
88
Appearance
85
Finish
85
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Founders Dirty Bastard

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 Founders Dirty Bastard

About Scottish Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Scottish Ale?

Scottish 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 Scottish Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, dark fruit, roasted character as Founders Dirty Bastard will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Scottish Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Scottish Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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