Session # 194
Founders | Nemesis
American Barleywine | Grand Rapids, MI | 12% ABV
One year ago: Dark Horse Reserve Special
As we approach 200 sessions, I felt it only necessary to start pulling out some big beers I’ve been sitting on for a while. And since Founders is my favorite brewery, why not open this Nemesis from 2010. You know it’s going to be a good beer, right? Well it poured darker than your typical American Barleywine with its very dark brown (almost ruby) color. A small but supple medium-tan head formed on top that looked very inviting. The dark fruits that you’d expect began creeping out of the glass immediately. Rum-soaked raisins and oak were at the forefront with some sweetness and booze on the nose as well. First sip unveiled a good grassy hoppiness followed by rich sweet dark fruits (figs, plums, etc). The finish was surprisingly dry for a Barleywine. This was not my favorite offering from Founders, but it was overall a pretty easy-drinking beer for 12%.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer was a one-time release only.
Listening To: Max Tundra “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (Prince cover)
Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.
Posted by builderofcoalitions on August 26, 2011 at 10:21 AM
I’ve been wanting to crack one of these open ever since I saw that Draft magazine suggested as much. Interesting that you opened one as well. I guess it’s time for some ’10 Nemesis.
Posted by thehopry on August 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM
That’s right! They did..didn’t they. I forgot about that. What a coincidence. Maybe it was subliminal…who knows?
Posted by welosiped on August 26, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Oddly enough, I had one of these last night also. I have one ’09 left…wanting to do a side by side one of these days. I hear they have discontinued the series… (sorry if you said that in the video, I didn’t actually watch yet).
Posted by builderofcoalitions on August 26, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Every year is different. Was ’09 the wheat wine?
Posted by thehopry on August 26, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Yes it was… Here’s my review.
http://thehopry.com/2010/06/09/founders-nemesis/
Posted by Sean Gauvreau on August 26, 2011 at 3:02 PM
How about adding a Google +1 button to your posts so I can share on there?
Posted by thehopry on August 28, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I’ll look into it. Not sure if WordPress offers it or not…
Update: DONE! Cheers!
Posted by Cara & Louie (@beerpaintings) on August 26, 2011 at 4:57 PM
I have a few of these that I’ve been sitting on. I did try it fresh last year…looks like I gave it an A-. I’ll probably let the few I have get a little more age. Spot on review, nice work.
Posted by Eamonn Murphy on August 26, 2011 at 5:39 PM
I noticed you’ve stopped grading beers. How come? Just curious.
Posted by Cara & Louie (@beerpaintings) on August 26, 2011 at 7:40 PM
I believe the grade is at the end of the video review.
Posted by Big Mike on August 26, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Had one of these last year and just busted the cap on one ive been sitting on while watching your review. Looking at my notes, the fresh version definitely had more of a hop presence making those 100 ibu’s more noticable. A years age turned this a lot sweeter then when fresh. I prefered the fresh version slightly more then with age.
Cheers!
Big Mike
Posted by thehopry on August 28, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I had a four pack of these but actually gave the other three away as extras in trades. Should have tried it fresh, but oh well…
Posted by Barry Grass (@theBGrass) on August 27, 2011 at 12:55 AM
Looking back at my tasting notes, I gave a pretty fresh bottle of this beer a score of 87. Which is waaaaay higher than I gave the 2009 Nemesis.
Posted by thehopry on August 28, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I’m with you in that both of the Nemesis releases have underwhelmed. 2010 was better than 2009, but I probably over-rated the 2009 because I remember it being too sweet. Oh well.
Posted by KevSal on August 27, 2011 at 1:31 AM
im super excited about your 200
Posted by thehopry on August 28, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Me too. It’s about time!!!
Posted by Jon on August 28, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Looks like I need to take his out of the closet and put it in the fridge for some drinking.
Posted by allthatalesyou on August 31, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Yeah this beer has changed dramatically, When fresh it was crazy hoppy and a completely different beast. Right now it is tasting way more mellow and like you said more traditional. Cheers Mark
Posted by tsmillie on September 7, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Great review Mark. I had this one last year and loved it…looking forward to trying out the bottle that I aged as well. Or I might sell it as Founders is no longer producing it.