We’ll start the 3rd of Four matches this week with a beer that gets a fresh start because I finally came around and voted for it last round: the Founder’s Porter. When I think of Founder’s, I think of the finer things, a good cigar, a nicely aged wine, an elegant yet still robust beer. The one thing I must stress if you are going to drink this brew is that you pour it slowly and give it a minute to get some air, otherwise the flavors bunch together and you get that plain, root beer flavor. If you allow it to open up you get rich flavors that don’t come with other beers: Ginger, a little pepper, very rich caramel, and a cappuccino coffee flavor  all in a smooth and doughy mouthfeel that is simply outstanding. I think to put it as easily as I can, this is an adult beverage. This is the high life, this is sophistication, this is Founder’s.

Well anything that follows that is gonna seem like I’m putting the Southern Tier Porter at the kid’s table (Note: Brewlimination does not advocate putting beer at the kid’s table, this is a metaphor). It may not be the height of sophistication but it is insanely delicious. If you want some background, check here for more on the flavors. This is a chocolate-forward beer that has a thicker mouthfeel, as porters should have, yet it takes advantage of the possibility of a well-carbonated porter that makes for an airy and bubbly chocolate that is like mousse. Accent that with some lighter coffee flavors, some toffee notes, a little hoppy spice for balance, and you have a more dessert-minded beer that is airy enough to be consumed by anyone at any time. Founder’s is going to have to beat the champ to advance, and that is much easier said than done as the champ is bringing it strong. I don’t know who will win but it will be very exciting to find out.

UPDATE: Click Here for Match Results!