Founders Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

hctap00

Maryland

4.83/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Bottled on 12/7/12. Poured into a Founders snifter. A definite beergasm moment.

Pours as dark as any beer I have seen. Jet black, not even a hint of transparency at the edges. Pour yielded a very small head that soon faded to a lacing. Head is a dark reddish-brown. Most noticeable is how thick and creamy this beer is. Every time I have one I can hear the "glug" of the pour.

Lots of roasted malts, coffee, and earthy malts on this nose. This fades as the beer warms. A bit of chocolate, but hardly any sweetness. Anise is noticeable as well. Maybe a touch of booziness.

Flavor is very intense and complex, yet nuanced and balanced. It is very bitter upfront and throughout the entire sip, but only the dominant flavor for a brief moment. The bitterness has coffee notes but is also minty and herbal, and very refreshing. A very rich and sweet dark chocolate flavor follows and is just perfect. Never overpowering because of the continued bitterness, but still assertive. The finish is a combination of anise, dark fruit (fig maybe) and alcohol warmth. Fantastic.

The taste gets my first 5, but the mouthfeel may be the most impressive part about this beer. Incredibly thick, creamy and smooth. Coats the palate perfectly. Flavors linger in a good way. No bad aftertastes.

I am admittedly a sucker for Founders, but for me it does not get any better than this. The standard against which I rate all other imperial stouts. The full range of flavors, perfectly balanced. Will be buying by the case in future years.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 03:07:40 | More by hctap00

striker2160

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -3%

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johnpz168

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

06-19-2013 20:10:59 | More by johnpz168

flyingPharmacist

New York

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

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2GOOFY

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%

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Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -8.7%

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bonbini26

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

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FoundyHunter

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

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MgoJohnStamos

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

06-16-2013 19:43:35 | More by MgoJohnStamos

TripelMark

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

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IndyDad

New York

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-16-2013 02:28:39 | More by IndyDad

TheGoof

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

06-14-2013 14:55:46 | More by TheGoof

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -8.7%

06-13-2013 18:33:48 | More by djre4orm

generallee

New York

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

06-13-2013 15:46:03 | More by generallee

ComRock12

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-13-2013 12:42:47 | More by ComRock12

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Colorado

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-11-2013 23:20:35 | More by pinnser

goblin7704

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-11-2013 17:11:51 | More by goblin7704

superfriend

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

06-11-2013 15:20:54 | More by superfriend

Hopbully

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

06-11-2013 05:20:23 | More by Hopbully

sarge27

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-11-2013 05:00:43 | More by sarge27

Curt1

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

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Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -31.5%

06-11-2013 00:14:30 | More by kevrice88

dhbiker0889

Colorado

4/5  rDev -8.7%

06-10-2013 19:50:17 | More by dhbiker0889

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North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev -3%

06-10-2013 03:21:54 | More by jarrgal

tinypyramids

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

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