Beer of the Week : Founders Project PAM

on 01/08/2016 at 11:21 am

Project PAM Black IPA

Founders Brewing Company

Project PAM is a Black IPA aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. This complex brew is a part of Founders’ Backstage Series of beers, which includes some of their most sought-after and experimental taproom beers. Black IPAs have been a staple at Founders, and they have been working on this perfectly balanced beer under secrecy for years. Project Pam is brewed with an abundance of hops, including Centennial, Amarillo, and Mosaic. It is then balanced with wheat malts and aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels.

This beer isn’t like anything I have ever had; the bitter hops are not as present upfront as with most Black IPAs, because the oaky bourbon notes and sweetness of the maple syrup balance it out perfectly. This brew is available on tap and in 750ml bottles and clocks in at a hefty 10.8% abv. Founders’ Backstage Series beers are high in demand, so if you happen to see one at your local beer store or brewpub, I would not be hesitant to grab one or two. I guarantee that you won’t regret it.

Appearance: pours very dark brown with a tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Nose: notes sweet malt, chocolate, bourbon, and citrus hops.

Taste: oaky with notes of maple, vanilla, chocolate, bourbon, dark fruits.

Mouthfeel: very creamy and full-bodied.

Overall: Amazing beer! Sweet, boozy, and full bodied, yet perfectly balanced. All of the complex flavors come out more and more as it warms.

Originally published at afrsh.com.