Loving the new camera. For Christmas this year my wife and I requested gift cards so we can purchase a new camera. And not just any camera but a fancy DSLR one. There a many options out there and believe me none of them are cheap. So we went for one of the lower priced ones but still a good camera in it’s own right. A Sony DSLR A230. When I used my old point and shoot camera I rarely changed the settings, it was usually always on the “auto” setting and most of the time when I tried to change things they never really worked out so well. But if you are like me you learn to work with what you got so I always tried to make my pictures as best as possible and used locations that would work well with my camera. With this one however I hope that I will be able to take the shots I want to take. We’ve only had it for a week now and I’ve just been shooting inside because outside it’s been below zero the whole damn time so I’m running out of test locations and objects and people, so far Delia has taken up most smart disk space on the camera. But I did get a chance to try out some beer shots and picked the two best ones for each of these beers, though I think the Imperial Stout one didn’t look as good as it did on the camera when I got it onto my computer but I already finished what I had. But I was quite happy with the Backwoods Bastard. So I look forward to taking more shots and hopefully be able to share them with you via this blog or my Flicker page which you can find on the right hand side of this blog.
So now the reviews. These two beers are from one of everyone’s favorite new brewery that hit Minnesota recently, Founders. I can’t hype these guys enough. Not only have the specialty series they release been phenomenal their standards are top of the pops as well. This time around I’ve been eyeing up the Backwoods Bastard but as I’ve said before that barrel aged beers are really not my thing so I always skipped it. This time the Backwoods Bastard was in luck. I was at my local store in Mounds View when the store manager and I were chatting when he said he has something for me. He came out from the back with two bottles of Founders Imperial Stout. This one slipped by me unnoticed but then he said he only got in two cases and they were gone within a week but two four packs got damaged and all that was left was a few singles in which he gave two to me, it’s good to know these guys that’s for sure. So I figured that being I am not a Imperial Stout fan very much either that I might as well make it an interesting night and get the Backwoods and just see if I can’t be convinced. Well, I can’t, but I was however happy with my selection. I found both of them to be worthy of their styles.
The Imperial was a straight up Imperial Stout. It poured very thick with a dark frothy head with an aroma reminiscent of most Imperial Stouts. The smell was addicting and the taste was huge, very dark, think of all the dark malts in the world and throw in heap of hops and this is what you get. I have to say I am starting to get back onto the Imperial Stout bandwagon. Granted I may not be able to enjoy it like I do an IPA but my appreciation for them is coming back. Maybe I was just in a funk.
Next was the Backwoods Bastard. Basically this is their Dirty Bastard aged in oak bourbon barrels. It was lighter than I expected but it was still rather boozy. It had a nice tan color to it and the smell was right up there with most oak aged beers. The flavor had a sweetness to it with the bourbon hitting you in the back of the mouth, it was a decent combo. And like the Stout I found myself liking this more than I thought I would have. Maybe I turned a corner. Stay tuned. Maybe I should try drinking scotch again…. or not.
Founders Imperial Stout
B+
Founders Backwoods Bastard
B
