Beer Review: Founders Devil Dancer

Name: Devil Dancer
Brewer: Founders
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Variety: Imperial/Double IPA
ABV: 12%
Price: $20+, four pack

Let's start off this ill-advised experiment with something special! Founders is a favored brewery of mine, and one of the most respected in Michigan. They specialize in big, bold, unique flavors - Bell's is arguably the most popular Michigan brewery, but Founders for me is the most daring.

Devil Dancer, a specialty brew offered only in July of each year, follows this trend. It has a tongue-shattering 120 IBUs (international bitterness units) and a brain-addling 12% ABV. By the way, the technical limit for IBUs is 100. They might as well just replace that 120 with a skull and crossbones.



It's a handsome looking beer - fiery red with shades of orange and caramel with a thin, tan head that dissipates quickly. DD is very fragrant with piney, citrusy scents. As for the taste, WHOA NELLY. They aren't kidding about the bitterness. Prepare for lots of lingering heat on the tongue, but the actual body of the beer is quite creamy and somewhat cool. The alcohol puts heat in your belly to match the heat on the tongue, and the beer definitely earns the "Devil" in its name.

But it's quite tasty and very savory! This is a beer to be sipped, savored and enjoyed. The four-pack suggests aging the beer, but good luck with that. I made it about four days before I drank the bottle I had stowed away in a back closet. You'll finish it all and wish you had more.

If you have the willpower to save some, I'd recommend it. The heat this beer brings would make it great for the winter holidays - the sort of special occasion that would go perfect with $5 bottles of beer.

I love bitter, hoppy beers, so this would be a regular purchase for me if it weren't limited and, you know, $20. I didn't regret paying the premium price, though. This one is definitely a winner.

Rating: 8 out of 10