Founders Nemesis 2009

Nemesis 2009
Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, MI
12.00% ABV
Style: Wheat Wine

C: Clear
H: Redish/Amber
N: Booze, Hint of Pepper, Licorice, Caramel


KirkDiggler:
A: Poured light amber with a light and wispy white head, head was quickly dissipated / no lacing.
A: Sweet caramel malt, no hop aromatics, light peppery / black licorice aroma on the back end.
F: Sweet caramel malt upfront - malt forward - no hop flavor, finish is lightly spiced w/ the black pepper.
M: Medium body, carbonation, and mouthfeel. This beer is dangerously smooth and showed no alcohol warmth. Mouthfeel is viscous / syrupy. No alcohol warmth at 12% = dangerous ;)
O: This is only the second wheat wine I've had next to Terrapin Gamma Ray, which was one of the few beers that I actually remembered from GABF last year, however this beer did not leave me with the same memorable impression. Being a wheat wine, I didn't really pick up on any wheat character, rather this beer presented alot of caramel malt in the aroma and taste. While tasty, not too 'special' IMO Also left some weird impressions with the licorice finish.
Score 3.2

The Ferm: Well I had this at the Hunahpu's release back in March, at the time I did not know what I had my hands on. Now I am a bit more seasoned and know how special this beer actually is. After reading a review on BeerAdvocate.com stating that this beer is past prime and to drink it now. I decided ehh hell why not.
So the second time around with a proper review. Overall this is a good beer, I honestly don't have much to compare it to style wise, as I think I may have only had one or two other Wheat Wines. Gamma Ray specifically sticks out in my mind, and that was just amazing. Nemesis is similar but a completely different taste. There is a nice boozey taste to this one, which proves that the 12% ABV isn't joking around. Malt forward taste that sticks around for a while. Worth the hunt....yes! I am interested in the 2010 version!
Score: 3.99

Overall: 3.595