Founders Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

hoppymeal

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours black and thick with a almost non-existent red-brown head that quickly fades. There are roasted malt and smoky aromas at first and as it warms a sweeter chocolate smell along with a nice boozy-bourbony alcohol presence in the aroma. Taste is roast and smokiness up front, the sweet malts are apparent after this as it rolls on and coats the tongue. A dry slightly coffee bitterness finishes along with a nice warm alcohol twang. Good body for the style, not crazy heavy but nice and thick and chewy. I like my ris to have a little more of that vinuous and ripe fruitiness mixed with the bourbony-boozyness, but whether this is classified as double stout or ris, it is a top notch beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2006 02:30:04 | More by hoppymeal

HoboAGoGo

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pre-Recipe change, gray bottle with Limited Edition printed on it.
Poured out of the bottle into a snifter, agitated it slightly by pouring high to get an extremely thin head on it. Initial nose is of alcohol, roasty goodness, some chocolate, a deep red preserved fruit flavor and some coffee. Extremely easy on the tongue, deep roasted flavor, alcohol soaked plum flavor. An extremely drinkable Imp., not the most complex, but fairly enjoyable and I will open another in a while to see how it fares.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2006 04:08:03 | More by HoboAGoGo

brentk56

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is the pre-2005 recipe as the bottle clearly states "Limited Edition on the top of the label."

Appearance: Pours a jet black inly color with a light brown head that hangs around for a good while and leaves some dots of lacing around the glass

Smell: Dark fruit, molasses, coffee and alcohol

Taste: Starts out with a dark fruity mouthful that changes, after the swallow to some bitter molasses flavors; slightly phenolic on the finish, which may be the result of age

Mouthfeel: Thick and chewy; modest carbonation

Drinkability: A decent Impy Stout but I was expecting a bit more; may be because of the age, however (tasted again on 10/12/09 and drinks almost identically - just a touch less warmth from the alcohol and less phenolics)

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2006 01:46:08 | More by brentk56

Zorro

California

4.58/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This bottle is sampled due to the efforts of tsmthrs and Christmas in July Secret Santa BIF 2006.

Poured in the glass this beer is simply BLACK in colored with a DARK brown head. So dark you can't see the sun through the glass and it is incredibly clear and hot here today. Massive head formation, it was a good thing I poured this in to my Duvel glass so I didn't lose any beer. In appearance this beer is really more of a 5.5.

Smell is strong chocolate aroma with some strong citrus hop aroma. Lively hop aroma here that is rather minty and spicy to the nose. Roasted and coffee aromas are in this but they are most hidden by the hops and chocolate.

Taste is deeply of unsweetened dark chocolate, almost like melted bakers chocolate in a glass. Not really bitter just semi dry in the mouth in a good way. Roasted malt and coffee flavors are in this but chocolate has driven them to the edges of my senses. Basically this is like drinking dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel is melted dark chocolate candy bars. REALLY it is that thick!

Drinkability is always subjective. Ask yourself would you like drinking liquid dark chocolate candy bars in a glass? If yes then this beer is a 5.0 drinker, if not it will be a 3.0 for you.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 01:50:57 | More by Zorro

GClarkage

California

4.72/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

07/19/06- Aquired via trade with Irishsnake.

Presentation- 12oz bottle with no freshness info listed. Poured into my Stone RIS tulip.

Appearance- Black as motor oil. Very slight head, almost non existant. Dirty brown light rim of a head that erodes quickly. Some, but light whisps of lace left behind.

Smell- Wonderful scent of roasted coffee beans and quality dark chocolate.

Taste- Tastes just as good as any other RIS I have tasted. Dark chocolate flavors mixed with a heavily roasted malt base. Coffee flavors come in hard in the beginning and make way for the chocolate as the beer warms. Incredible meld of flavors.

Mouthfeel- Light carbonation (just the way I like an RIS), creamy, thick, viscous and gooey.

Drinkability- The abv comes into play quickly. This one is so thick and chewy that it becomes a chore (a good chore) to finish if it's room temp. Becomes super sweet...almost like drinking a melted candy bar that's been left in the sun. Overall though, it's probably the best tasting stout of any kind I have tasted...better than Stone and better than Speedway...super quality brew here....high recommendation! Thanks much John!

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2006 15:40:52 | More by GClarkage

Truh

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The court jester made me laugh with this one on 7/12/2006. 12-oz. bottle poured judiciously in to a Dogfish shaker. Once more, thanks to friend and BA Warriorsoul for this one.

Tiny, almost imperceptible crown of head dies to a tiara of almost red-tinged mocha at the sides, as if seeking to escape from the terrible center. Very little lacing; just a dusting of splattered wax as the pour drops. Dark as a moonless night; make sure you've got a flashlight in case the lights go out with this one. Licorice, pine essence, tar, root beer barrels, and a suggestion of smoked cedar announce themselves on the nasal cavity. Chalky treacle is the first thing noted on the mouth, followed by a syrupy brown sugar sweetness that sticks and coats down to the adam's apple. With warming, black pepper spice, caramel apple, and a kind of tinny character start to show. Body is not overly thick, which is nice considering its style and abv.

Another hit for me, just short of a home run.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2006 23:07:32 | More by Truh

HimerMan

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, served in Murphy's pint glass.

Pour - black, with a 1 finger head, gone fast but strong smell of chocolate. Smell - nice chocolate, burnt alcohol and nice smoke.

Taste - Very chewy, smoky, creamy - yet heavy/solid taste of chocolate with a medium to dark chocolate with alcohol evident in the immeidate warming. Excellent stout.

Overall - strong smoke as it warms, thick and chewy. Excellent taste - you should drink this stout if you want to try a real imperial stout with nice smoke and alcohol.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2006 01:32:13 | More by HimerMan

kmcnair

California

3.68/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aroma - Very rich and complex, roasted chocolate malts, a bit of burnt caramel, black licorice, coffee.

Appearance - Pours a blackened crimson color, opaque and wears a deep tanned crown of tightly packed bubbles that fades into a fine ring. Low head retention. Quite viscous and visible legs stream down the glass.

Flavor - Rich, dark chocolate and burnt malt flavors dominate. Hints of coffee and burnt tarred caramel linger in the background. Some figgy dark fruit-like esters.

Mouthfeel - Creamy and velvety, medium to light in carbonation. Full bodied.

Overall - this is a good beer. Has many fantastic qualities with no faults. It is not my favorite for the style, but it is certainly a strong representative. I would try it again sometime for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2006 07:21:46 | More by kmcnair

trep

West Virginia

4.28/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 fluid ounces of black gold...texas tea. Small milk chocolate head that fades quickly to form a ring around the outside of the glass. A shimmer of ruby around the edges when held to the light. Looks pretty wonderful. Classy looking bottle too.

Dark chocolate, roasted malt, and the faintest hint of cinnamon, interestingly enough. Definitely a fair amount of alcohol coming through in the nose as well. Faint hints of fruity hops as it warms.

A ton of hop bitterness in this one initially that fades to the typical RIS flavors. Chocolate, roasted malt, and dark fruits are all present and very balanced. No sign of the alcohol that was fierce in the aroma.

Carbonation and body are spot on. Not too thick, but thick enough to coat every surface in your mouth.

Dangerously easy to drink this beast as well.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2006 04:58:36 | More by trep

Prufrock

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

pours pitch black with a touch of brown head that falls quickly to nothing.

coffee, raisins, molasses, and a touch of soy sauce in the aroma. smells very sweet and dark, if that makes sense.

heavy but smooth mouthfeel with just a touch of carbonation. raisins and a vinous sweetness dominate the flavor with some coffee-like bitterness and alcohol. touch of soy sauce lines the throat and the finish, which along with the alcohol limit the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2006 16:42:47 | More by Prufrock

Dubbercody

Washington

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into glass, medium head, strong brown color. Beer is dark brown/black and pours thick and heavy. Scent is malty, roasty, with chocolate tones. Scents develop as temps rise.

The first taste is something you cannot really prepare yourself for, you just go for it and let it tingle your whole mouth. Tastes of chocolate, caramel, malt and coffee swirl together to bring the whole mouth a treat.

It's a sipping beer, not a gulping beer! It drinks easier than it's 10%ABV would suggest, but will warm the belly and tickle the brainstem if a drinker isn't careful.

My first Founders and if this is any indication of the other brews, I'm going to have to order cases.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2006 05:21:30 | More by Dubbercody

Erdinger2003

Iowa

4.58/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Chimay Goblet.

The pour finds a pillowy brown to dark brown head that leaves a strong lacing and doesn't fall very fast into nothing. Once it falls the head is thin, but still doesn't break. Lacing is still very nice and strong.

The smell has plum, dark chocolate, coffee a slight smokiness, hops of some sort (slight hops).

Taste has strawbery, bitter hops, coffee, slight chocolate and smokiness to it. Very fruity and hoppy at the same time, but the hops are not overpowering. It's at first like chocolate covered strawberrys.

Mouthfeel is creamy and carbonated, smooth and then a little harsh, but as you drink it gets smoother.

I would enjoy one of these every few months, definetly not my kind of session beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 05:30:37 | More by Erdinger2003

RoyalT

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – This is dark brown in color with a straight brown head. You don’t see that very often.

Smell – The booze here is prominent at the nose. The malts are very dark without being roasty and the sugar is sweet but slightly burnt as well, like a good raw sugar.

Taste – The alcohol is still here but eases a bit at the taste, giving this a well-balanced flavor profile. The sugars smooth out as well. Of course the highlight is the wonderfully big and rich malt base. It is like a cross between liquid malt and nicely-toasted barley.

Mouthfeel – This is medium in the body and expertly balanced. The balance really made this RIS for me.

Drinkability – This is a terrific-drinking ale that has just enough booze at the taste to keep the drinker honest.

Comments – Thanks to skyhand for busting this one out at her Semi-Annual Sewage Sale.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 02:05:00 | More by RoyalT

czoch75

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I tried this one after seeing it at the local Friar Tuck.

A: Very, very dark appearance. Not really sure if light could penetrate this one!!! Had little to no head that was dark as well.

S: smell was inviting to me, but I was a bit thirsty, a bit of roasted malt aroma.

T:Definitely taste the roasted malts then and bit of sweetness afterwards on the palate that seemed to have some staying power.

M:Very thick beer, very low carbonation on this one, but that was a good thing.

D: Alot going on with this one. Very complex and tasty, would recommend to anyone and got better halfway through, maybe once it warmed up a little. Should be a good one to tuck away for awhile! Another good offering from Founders, now if I can just get my hands on some of the Breakfast Stout!

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2006 22:00:21 | More by czoch75

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the glass black and thick with a very low yet quick to grown brownish black head which stuck around and coated the glass.

The aroma was fruity with a strong coffee and chocolate aroma. The aroma was deeply malty with a huge roastiness with expresso. The aroma contained dark fruits, some raisins, some prunes and some cherries. Chocolate and roast played off each other to entice one to consume the brew.

The flavor was chocolate with a strong coffee presence. The beer was chewy and malty but with a substantial bittering from hops and from dark grains. The flavor was grassy with hops, but overpowered by expresso and chocolate. Some caramel was present, but never at a level at which the beer could have been considered sweet. Dark fruits, again raisins and prunes, were present in the flavor.

The finish was dry with a lasting presence of chocolate, coffee and dark fruits well into the aftertaste. In the final drying the grassy hop character stuck around. The body was full and viscous and chewy with a fairly low carbonation. Some alcohol was present just at the end of the flavor, but most of the alcohol was restrained and was only apparent in the warming which occurred after consumption. The low apparent alcohol level really assisted with the drinkability.

12 ounce bottle. Thanks AKSmokedPorter!

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2006 22:59:42 | More by GCBrewingCo

Westsidethreat

California

4.22/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Perhaps the darkest beer I've ever seen? Poured like black thick ink. The dark tannish brown has crumbled to a faint memory of what once was...wisps and the foam o-ring remain.

S: Black patent and roasted malt aroma. Thoughts of fresh ground espresso, anise and bourbon come to mind.

T: Roasted malts make an immediate impact. Creme brulee vanilla tastes mix with oatmeal brown sugar flavors quickly give way to the massive milk chocolate and coffee aftertaste that stays with the palate for quite some time.

M: A very sticky beer. Not necessarily creamy, but very thick.

D: This beer is GINORMOUS. Very rich, very complex. Bit too sweet for my tastes but still wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2006 04:44:00 | More by Westsidethreat

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2003, courtesy of autumnaldave.
Overall, this was similar to my experience with the 2005 batch with a few differences. It still looked great - black with a short brown head, excellent head retention and lacing. The aroma was more roasted than the more recent bottle, with some bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke. Excellent balance of flavours, with chocolate and light raisin/plum to start, mild bitterness, roast and dark fruit. Just a bit of lactic sourness as well. Mellow and silky smooth with very fine carbonation and a full body. This is an awesome stout that apparently has excellent aging potential - it's even better with a bit of age on it.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2006 01:59:22 | More by DrJay

gmcfarre

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into traditional pint glass

A - Pours a thick black sludge with brown, thin head. Moderate lacing.

S - Dark, dry roasted coffee and chocolate scents, backed up by a strong dark malt sensation.

T - Dark malt dominates, unlike the smell. Coffee and chocolate take a backseat, but are still very noticable. This is incredibly balanced, with the alcohol well hidden.

M - Thick, yet smooth until the drying, slightly bitter finish

D - Great night cap, but too filling and heavy for much repeat-ability

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2006 04:37:00 | More by gmcfarre

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks to ThomasHardy for the bottle, with the very cool upside-down label.

Appearance: Pours without much head of any kind, just a thin tan collar, and a skin across the top of the beer. A little lace above a jet black body.

Smell: All the trais of a good RIS are there. Strong black coffee, rich dark chocolate, alcohol vapors, above average hops. Very nice rich roasted smell.

Taste: Smooth yet strong, coffe flavors are enhanced by the alcohol, which leads into the hops, which ends smokey and satisfying. Another winner from Founder.

Drinkability: I could actually line up a couple empties of these, it is a well balanced, yes asertive RIS.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2006 02:49:37 | More by TastyTaste

EvilKeith

Alabama

3.6/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours thick and viscous, black as night. Starts with a finger of light foam sandstone in color, fades to a cap. Lace is thick and sticky.

Smell is smoky, chocolaty, notes of dark fruit, pine and citrusy grapefruit. Just a hint of coffee bean. Alcohol is well hidden.

Taste is charred, smoky malt, chocolate, and alcohol shows itself.
Aftertaste is burnt or charred, light hop finish.

Full bodied. Oil coated mouthfeel. Minimal carbonation.

A little too thick to be very drinkable. Might work well after dinner or as a nightcap.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2006 19:49:24 | More by EvilKeith

kdmorse

California

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Black. One finger of milk chocolate head. Head fades and leaves a film of foam. Lacing a-go-go.

S: Coffee and chocolate. Background of sweet-fruit alcohol.

T: Once again, coffee and chocolate. Sweet chocolate, not the dark, bitter chocolate I'm used to with a RIS. Not much alcohol, but it can be sensed. Bitter hops merge with the bitter coffee to finish the beer well.

M: Thick and chewy.

D: 10% ABV is there. Can't hide that. I love drinking it, but the alcohol scares me after a little while.

Notes: Founders makes some kick-ass stouts. The Midwest makes some kick-ass stouts. Why am I leaving the Midwest? Oh yeah, the f-ing beach!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2006 23:57:51 | More by kdmorse

Brian700

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

ABV is listed as 10%

This one pours thick and black with a brown head that slowly simmers down to a ring around my glass. There is some good lacing going on.

The aroma has some mild blueberry, chocolate, roasted malt aroma.

The flavor is amazing. Heavy chocolate, roasted malt, dark fruit, coffee. Great balance with the malt and hops. The flavor just lingers in your mouth. I want to pour this beer in a skillet and make some imperial pancakes with it.

The mouthfeel is full bodied with low/medium carbonation. Very creamy and chewy.

This is a good drinker for a 10% ABV beer. I'm going to go back and buy the rest of these 4 packs tomorrow. The store I bought these from charge 7.49 for a 4 pack of these, has to be a mistake. This beer is just as good as Breakfast Stout or KY Breakfast stout and you pay about $18.00 a 4 pack for those.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2006 05:02:56 | More by Brian700

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Labels says 10% ABV.

A: Pours a thick, dark, black syrup; a little tan head, not much retention, but it leaves a little lace.

S: Dark roasted malt (dark chocolate and mocha).

T: Assertive bitterness with a good hop flavour that isn't over-powering. Dark bitter chocolate... not a lot of depth, but it's very pleasant. Alcohol is remarkably well hidden, though it does become more perceptable as it warms. Slight hint of fruity esters. Very nice.

M: Thick, syrupy body is a little chalky, oily & acidic. Carbonation is moderate.

D: Very nice. Impressive for its strength.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2006 01:27:19 | More by Derek

blitz134

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Received from hoppymeal...much obliged...been wanting to try this since a friend of mine from Ohio raved about it...

What can I say really...its black, no edge highlights...all black. Small head came up, about a quarter inch but reduced to a chocolate milk colored ring around the edge.

Chocolate, toffee and Tootsie Rolls (tm) fill my nostrils. Some dark fruity hints come forth as well. Sweet alcohol wafts forth to draw it all together.

Dark chocolate and expresso notes start the flavor out. Then the transition to coffee comes in. Some pepper starts out the final transition to a bit of alcohol to finish it out. The alcohol is there, but it isn't overbearing. I really like this flavor, its super smooth and comes together perfectly. None of the flavors seem out of place.

Mouthfeel is the best I've seen in an RIS. Usually I find this style a bit thinner than its American Double Stout counterpart but this one is just a bit fuller. It poured oily and its silky smooth and slick on the tongue. A bit of residual stickiness lets it linger on the inside of the cheeks.

This beer is dangerous. Probably the easiest drinking over 10% beer I've had yet. Smooth and agreeable taste profile and no stomach burning alcohol feeling makes me want several of these. I'd pick this up often when I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2006 00:55:58 | More by blitz134

frazbri

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Founders Imperial Stout poured jet black with a creamy, mocha head. Chocolate, coffee, and slight floral scent were present in the nose. Espresso, charcoal and pepper flavors were accompanied by a solid bitterness. The body was thick and viscous with a moderate level of carbonation and a warm finish, but not a burn.

Oh mama! This a great beer to drink by the fireplace. I will definitely buy this again. It's also a good canidate for the cellar, if you have the patience.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2006 00:21:58 | More by frazbri