If you know me (personally or virtually), then there’s a good chance that you are familiar with my penchant to complain about beer prices these days. I’ve been doing it for a while because beer prices have been going up and up for a while, and it’s why I include price paid in my reviews and as part of the final rating. It’s not because I’m cheap, though, and if I really want a beer, price will not keep me from getting it.

Such was the case with Founders Big Lushious, which I splurged on at Taco Mac’s Georgia Chapter Room (formerly the Fred Bar). The Chapter Room is a great place to enjoy a hard-to-find beer or two, which is why I went there to celebrate my birthday. When I saw Founders Big Lushious on the draft list, it was the first beer that I ordered, despite the sticker shock. Before I tell you why, I’ll let the brewery tell you a little about the beer.

This deep, rich stout is packed with flavor: roasted malts, all-natural dark chocolate, a subtle suggestion of burnt coffee grounds and a kiss of tart raspberries. It’s big but balanced. At 7.8% ABV, Big Lushious is a sumptuous, extravagant dessert beer fit for enjoying with friends and family around the holidays or to celebrate a special occasion. But really, this beer can make any occasion special. Don’t worry; we won’t call you a lush.

So, now I’ll tell you why I didn’t blink an eye in ordering this beer, despite the (here it is) exorbitant price of $12 for a pint glass. First, as I said, it was my birthday, second, I love rich roasty stouts with fruit added, and third this one was a beer I had wanting to buy in the bottle, but hadn’t been able to find. By all accounts, it sported a hefty price tag in the bottle as well as on draft, so in this case it was the price of admission to finally try this beer.

My glass of Founders Big Lushious arrived jet black in color with a light creamy tan head and a really and truly big coffee nose. Taking a sip, the beer had a fairly full body packed with notes of dark chocolate, sweet juicy raspberry, and coffee grinds with a roasty finish. In many ways, it reminded me of Founders Breakfast Stout with a bit of raspberry thrown in for good measure. Then too, this is a lot like a dark chocolate raspberry coffee truffle. Except its beer, which makes it better. Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker and all that.

Stylistically, I’ll peg this as a coffee stout because that is the predominant flavor for me. You could call it an imperial stout although it’s on the lighter side of the alcohol scale for that style, or a fruit beer, though I think the latter is the biggest stretch since the fruit is an accent here, and not the main attraction.

Would I buy it again? To be completely honest, I would not pay $12 a pint for it again, but if I saw a bomber or 750 in the $10 to $13 range I likely would. It’s a very delicious and, well, luscious beer, though at the price paid I’ll give it 4 stars instead of the 5 it would get at a more reasonable price. See? I told you I complain about beer prices these days.

 

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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