Founders Dirty Bastard 6Pk

Founders Dirty Bastard 6-Pack is a bold Scotch ale (wee heavy) from Founders Brewing Company, brewed at 8.5% ABV and sold in six 12-oz bottles. A Silver Medal winner at the 2010 World Beer Cup and the 2014 European Beer Star competition, it earned a spot on Thrillist's "Top 23 Beers to Drink Before You Die" — a rare distinction for any American-brewed Scotch ale.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  IBU: 50  |  Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan  |  Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Company was established in 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has grown into one of the most respected craft breweries in the United States. Dirty Bastard is built on a grain bill featuring multiple varieties of imported malts, including peat smoked malt — a deliberate nod to traditional Scottish brewing that few American Scotch ales replicate. The peat smoke, combined with a firm 50-IBU hop backbone, gives the beer a complexity that separates it from sweeter, less assertive examples of the style. It remains a year-round offering in the Founders lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and toffee dominate the nose, followed by dark dried fruit — think raisins and prunes. A subtle layer of peat smoke emerges underneath, lending a distinctly Scottish earthiness that deepens as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is thick and malt-driven, delivering waves of brown sugar, toffee, and caramel sweetness. Mid-palate, roasted malt and dark chocolate notes develop alongside dried fruit, while the hops assert themselves with a firm bitterness that prevents the sweetness from cloying. A touch of warming alcohol rounds out the body without becoming hot.

Finish: Medium-long and drying, with lingering notes of peat smoke, espresso, and dark fruit. The bitterness holds steady through the close, leaving a clean, roasted impression.

How to Drink Dirty Bastard

Best served at cellar temperature (50–55°F) in a thistle glass or snifter to concentrate the malt aromatics. Pouring too cold mutes the peat character and dried fruit complexity. For cocktail-curious drinkers: use it in a Beer Flip — the rich body and dark fruit integrate beautifully with egg and nutmeg; a Scotch Ale Float with vanilla ice cream plays off the caramel and toffee notes; or try it in a Black Velvet riff, blending it with dry sparkling wine to cut the malt sweetness with bright acidity.

Best For

• Cold-weather drinking sessions when lighter beers won't do
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates malt-forward styles
• Pairing with a steak dinner or hearty comfort food
• Introducing adventurous drinkers to the Scotch ale category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dirty Bastard taste like? Dirty Bastard delivers rich caramel, toffee, and dark dried fruit up front, followed by roasted malt, chocolate, and a distinctive hint of peat smoke on the finish. It is full-bodied and malt-forward with enough hop bitterness (50 IBU) to keep it balanced.

How does Dirty Bastard compare to Oskar Blues Old Chub? Both are American-brewed Scotch ales, but Dirty Bastard runs higher in ABV (8.5% vs. Old Chub's 8.0%) and features peat smoked malt that gives it a smokier, earthier profile. Old Chub tends toward a sweeter, more caramel-centric character with less hop presence.

Is Dirty Bastard good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 8.5% ABV, layered malt complexity, and smoky finish make it a strong candidate for slow, contemplative drinking, especially when served slightly below room temperature in a snifter.

Where is Dirty Bastard made? Dirty Bastard is brewed by Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founders has operated in Grand Rapids since 1997 and distributes across all 50 U.S. states.

What foods pair well with Dirty Bastard? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs mirror the peat smoke in the beer. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the malt sweetness. Sticky toffee pudding amplifies the caramel and brown sugar notes. Roasted lamb with rosemary complements the Scottish character. Dark chocolate truffles echo the roasted, bittersweet finish.

What sizes does Dirty Bastard come in? Dirty Bastard is widely available in 6-packs of 12-oz bottles. It can also be found on draft and occasionally in single-bottle formats depending on the market.

Is Dirty Bastard worth the price? Dirty Bastard positions as a premium craft offering within the Scotch ale category, and its multiple international medals — including World Beer Cup and European Beer Star silvers — back up the quality. For an 8.5% ABV beer with this level of complexity, it represents strong value among year-round craft releases.

Why Dirty Bastard?

The use of peat smoked malt is what truly sets Dirty Bastard apart from most American-brewed Scotch ales, which often rely on caramel malt alone for their flavor identity. That smoky backbone, validated by silver medals at both the 2010 World Beer Cup and the 2014 European Beer Star, gives the beer a dimension of authenticity that few stateside competitors achieve. At 8.5% ABV with 50 IBUs, it strikes an uncommon balance between rich, dessert-like maltiness and genuine bitterness — earning its reputation as one of Founders' most enduring year-round releases and a benchmark for the style in the American craft landscape.