Founders Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a Brooklyn snifter at precisely 55 degrees F. Absolutely, positively black as black can be with a beautiful 2-finger chunky brown head that is shockingly dark in color. Nose gives toasted malt and char like a RIS, but also some chocolate and coffee tones and some faint hop notes as well.

Big, smooth, complex flavors of bakers chocolate and espresso hit you first. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy and there is no excessive booziness at all. Then, just when you think you're drinking a big creamy American Double Stout, at mid-palate the traditional rummy RIS flavors of toffee and burnt fruit kick in and remind you that this is definitely a RIS. The coffee and chocolate flavors return a bit on the finish, which leaves dried figs and currants. A perfect sipper on a chilly winter night.

This is a beautiful beer from an outstanding brewer. So far, it is easily the best RIS I've had. Somehow, this beer from Founders flies a bit under the radar. It's hard to believe that this December/January release isn't as sought after as some other RISs (There was some still on the shelf in MARCH for crying out loud!). It deserves to be on every beer-lovers ``had'' list. I've stored some in my basement and I'm going to crack one open every few months. I look forward to seeing how it develops. Thank you Founders!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 09:38:48 | More by deadonhisfeet

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