Founders Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

blakelive784

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Docrock and maximum12!

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a snifter, slightly warmed, and reviewed live:

A - Pours an imposing jet black color with a full three fingers of thick, creamy, dark brown head. Retention is astounding given the ABV and when it finally recedes it leaves tight lacing and a bit of boozy legs. I can't wait to try it.

S - Inviting chocolates and dark roasted malts. One of the best pure chocolate malt aromas I've ever encountered. Sweet cream and molasses. Hints of licorice. Faint hits of alcohol. Seemingly sweet. Truly inviting.

T - More bitter than I'd have guessed based on the nose. Bitter chocolates and black coffee. Roasted and chocolate malts comprise the body. It warms as it goes down, but the alcohol isn't really detectable as you're drinking it. I wish it'd focus on the chocolate more.

M - Smooth. Not as full bodied and thick as I'd like.

D - Amazingly drinkable at 10.5%. A damn good stout, but doesn't quite measure up to Founder's others. That being said, I'd definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 03:54:11 | More by blakelive784

Smixam

Connecticut

4.41/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a glass

A - Extremely dark brown, no light transmission. 1-finger head, also very dark brown, heavy lacing as it dissipates.

S - Alcohol, chocolate, malt, some piney hops. Sounds weird but I get what I can only equate to kalamata olive.

T - Alcohol and malt right up front, very deep. Hops kick in as a surprise at the end, finish is subtly spicy and smokey. Alcohol hangs on throughout, malt lingers as well.

M - This is a sipper, very thick/viscous. Heavy alcohol presence is nice if you stretch it out and enjoy it, but definitely a 'sit back and relax' beer. Better slightly chilled than cold, for sure.

O - Honestly, this is an ass-kicker of a stout. Definitely one of the best of this style while remaining a drinkable, enjoyable beer. One to keep on hand when you're in the mood to sip and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 15:58:20 | More by Smixam

1up

District of Columbia

4.69/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a Spiegelau tulip from a 12oz bottle.

A- Opaque dark brownish black. No light gets through. A vigorous pour yields a 1.5 finger head. Looks like motor oil which indicates a lot of flavor to come.
S- Aroma isn't too powerful but I can detect lots of roasted malt and dark chocolate.
T- Coffee, heavily roasted malt, and chocolate dominate the flavor profile at first followed by an extremely bitter finish. Make no mistake, this is one of the most bitter finishing dark beers I've ever had. No alcohol taste which is impressive for a 10% beer. Very smooth.
M- Extremely smooth mouthful, full bodied, and perfect amount of carbonation. Not as full bodied as Ten Fidy but also not terribly far off. Carbonation consists of small bubbles that complement the brew and blend in well rather than standing out.
O- Wow this is an excellent flavorful imperial stout, one of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 03:00:13 | More by 1up

robhbest

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into snifter.

A: Pitch black with a large caramel colored head.

S: Sweet, chocolate malts.

T: More chocolate malts, bitter coffee, slightly hoppy too. Not much burn from the alcohol as expected.

M: Thick and rich.

O: I'm digging this beer, excited to age a few. I prefer FBS more but a few of these on a cold night, cant go wrong!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 00:52:44 | More by robhbest

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes
Served on tap at House of 1000 Beers
A - Pours black as black can get, has a very minimal brown colored head, minimal lacing
S - Lots of roasted chocolate malts, sweet alcohol aroma, and what seems to be a little bit of peanut butter.
T - Dark malts, underlying alcohol, but no burn, sweet smoked malts, roasted chocolates and vanilla.
M - The roasted sweet flavor hangs on, but not super thick.
O - This is a powerful beer, decent flavors and aroma, but I couldnt finish one whole glass of this, its wayyy too much at once. Good stout, but I'd rather split one as a finisher next time.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2013 22:51:30 | More by Omnium

smcnulty1981

Rhode Island

4.18/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

A: pours a fairly viscous pitch black color with some dark brown hues almost no head at all good amount of lacing and some alcohol legs

S: lots roasted chocolate and coffee on the nose with a hint of earthy hops there is bit of alcohol on the nose

T: chocolate and coffee taste and finishes with a bit of smoke flavor there is bit of alcohol

M: extremely full mouthfeel a tad sticky and lingers for a long time

O: great flavor and mouthfeel great example of a standard imperial stout

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 03:25:16 | More by smcnulty1981

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

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

Pours dense thick black with a cocoa head of tight bubbles that dissipates to a ring. Some surprising lace.

Deep roasted malt, dark rich coffee, a little booze, some earth and some carbon.

Smooth rich brew with dark deep charred malt, and associated bitterness. As the palate clears, some hop leaf, but not enough to get in the way. Some alcohol, but you'd never know this is 10.5%. Long smooth pleasant bitter finish.

Full and thick brew, with a little carbonation tingle on the tongue, almost acidic.

Been looking for this for years. Wonderful and dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 01:48:10 | More by OtherShoe2

jpro

South Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter... (bottled 12/7/12)

A : pours a thick, opaque, black; light brown, one-finger head leaves some rings of lace.

S: dark roasted malts; dark chocolate; molasses; dark fruits; a lot of darkness in the aroma.

T: where to begin... dark chocolate - super dark semi-sweet chocolate; dark roast coffee; notes of chicory; pretty big bitter finish, too;

M: full full full bodied; moderate-high carbonation; chewy, creamy texture.

O: one of the better (best?) imperial stouts I've had; will get this again and seek it out in the future...

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 02:39:03 | More by jpro

richj1970

Alabama

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12 oz bottle into snifter glass.

A: Pitch black with small one finger chocolate brown head that settles with some lacing.

S: Roasted malts mixed with big coffee and dark chocolates.

T: Big roasted flavors of coffee / expresso with bitter chocolate and hops. Almost smoky at times.

M: Full bodied with all of the things you would expect from an Imperial Stout.

O: Very nice stout. Lots of big flavors and smells. The bitterness is almost of bit too pronounced but otherwise one of my favorites in the group.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 00:54:07 | More by richj1970

ONUMello

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. The bottling date is somewhat faded though it appears to be 1/27/13
A: Black as night with a one-finger milk chocolate colored head that slowly settles to a fine lacing
S: Freshly brewed coffee, toasted grains, a bit of cream... very rich; smells great
T: Bitter, with lots of coffee, burnt malt, a bitter hops - it goes too far. Everything is there just overdone, to the point that it makes my mouth pucker like the coffee is overbrewed to the point of being burnt. Too bad as everything else about it is great
M: Medium to full-bodied, extremely bitter
O: This would be such a good beer if it didn't taste like everything was burnt. This has so much potential and overall don't get me wrong it is a good beer, but if everything were kept in check it would truly be 'world class'

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 23:29:18 | More by ONUMello

MaximalC

Illinois

4.39/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

As a big Founders fan, I've been on the lookout for this for years to no avail, and finally stumbled across it in the unlikeliest of places. Here's hoping it lives up to my very lofty expectations...

Pours the color of motor oil, almost startlingly opaque as it exits the bottle. A healthy mocha-colored head, perhaps the darkest I've seen, adorns the midnight body before slowly settling into swaths of froth and bubbles. Patchy lacing clings attractively to the glass.

Aroma smells of roasted malt and dark chocolate, along with a touch of dark fruit and alcohol. Flavor is similar to the nose, with an up front roasted character and dark chocolate to match. There's also a strong warming quality on the front end that dissipates in the long, smooth finish, allowing the bitter character of the roast to shine through in a way that evokes both chocolate and coffee. The perfectly harnessed bitterness of the roast is reminiscent of Sprecher's Black Bavarian, and the hops are just present enough synergize with the malt without disturbing the other flavors. The mouthfeel is lush and sticky--exactly what I look for an an imperial stout. The taste of alcohol is fairly well tempered for 10.5% ABV, and completely acceptable for the style. Some dark fruit starts to come through as it warms as well.

Overall, this is a big, smooth, beautiful RIS with good balance and an impeccable finish. It manages to be luxurious and easy to drink in spite of its bold flavor and high ABV. While not particularly exotic or unique, it excels in its exemplary execution of the fundamentals. It's a textbook example of the style, and easily on par with the best that Founders has to offer.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:20:48 | More by MaximalC

timc100

Illinois

4.69/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

2012 vintage (fresh)

A: Pours pitch black, one of the darkest beers I've seen, and leaves a gorgeous creamy dark mocha head. Just an amazing looking beer.

S: Heavily roasted, big rich chocolate, coffee/espresso.

T: Huge dark roasted malts, coffee, and bitter dark chocolate. Silky rich milk chocolate and caramel. Just a huge roasted malt, coffee, chocolate bomb of a beer. Incredibly delicious.

P: Full. Velvety smooth, creamy, and gently chewy.

O: This is an incredible imperial stout. It has incredible depth in the roasted and chocolate categories, but, at least fresh, is missing the dark fruits. With a year it gained an even greater roasted profile and increased chocolate richness. A true desert of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 22:54:22 | More by timc100

linnymtu

Michigan

3.89/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - rich brown/black with a thin dark tan head. About average for a stout.
S - expected better. There is some coffee but too subtle to be impressive.
T - surprisingly strong with respect to the smell. The flavor is very smokey and espresso like. I think it went too far personally, can't really taste anything else.
M - just right, carbonation was perfect
O - the strong smoke/coffee taste was too much. Still worth drinking, but not going to make by top stout list.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 21:47:08 | More by linnymtu

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.14/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Founders Imperial Stout

A: Extremely dark, like chocolate syrup with a nice tan head.

S: Great smell. Lots of malt, chocolate (maybe toffee), with a definite alcohol presence.

T: Semi-dark chocolate, with more complexity. Silky smooth with no sign of hops.

M: Very smooth and creamy.

O: Not my favorite type of beer, but almost flawless for an Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 20:14:10 | More by capnamerica

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pitch black body with a light brown head that hangs around.

S- Tons of roasted malts, lots of chocolate, hints of rolled oats.

T- Roasty malts, smooth chocolate malts, toasted oats, almost a burnt chocolate flavor throughout. Really tasty.

M- Incredibly smooth. Full-bodied, but very drinkable. Just enough carbonation.

O- Probably the best non barrel-aged stout I have had so far. Intense flavor, very drinkable, great imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 04:02:42 | More by stephenjmoore

atr2605

New York

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

A-pours black with a foamy mocha colored head that clings to the edges of the glass
S-roasted coffee, bittersweet chocolate, smoked malt
T-smokey roasted coffee flavor up front with the dark chocolate flavors in the finish, and the smoke following through with a bit a warming alcohol
M-full bodied and creamy
O-one of the smokier RIS that I have had but is solid in every way. great flavors and balance, and the mouthfeel is fantastic. Even the alcohol comes through in the finish the beer doesn't finish hot. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 01:48:14 | More by atr2605

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.93/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A - poured a thick silky pitch black with a thick brown head, around one finger. Reduced quickly but left a nice frothy cap, with some good lacing for such a high abv beer, does appear very viscous and thick when swirled.

S - big malt aromas, chocolate first, coffee, roasted malt, smokey. Hints of hop spicyness. Alcohol comes out as it warms, bringing with it some fruitiness.

T - taste is phenomenal, simply put. Big malt taste that is very chocolate forward, reminiscent of eating some dark chocolate. Lots of roastedness, a bit smokey, Some coffee notes. Finishes very bitter, and has a lingering roasted flavor that sticks to the palate. Best tasting RIS I've had.

M - Very very thick with smooth carbonation. I'm glad this finishes bitter and seems well attenuated, making the mouth feel very enjoyable.

O - overall would have to be the most enjoyable RIS experience I have had as of yet. To me this embodies the style and would be my benchmark for future examples of the style. This is just so smooth and well crafted, does not have a weak spot. Only smell got knocked from 5 for a slight sharpness due to the alcohol aroma and mouthfeel as well due to it being a little overly thick. I think with some age these attributes would each score a 5 for me if it becomes a tad less hot and the body thins slightly.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 02:33:39 | More by MaineBrewing

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.41/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into a snifter

A - pitch black, khaki/tan head, about 2-2.5 inches, reduces to a thin layer, leaves lots of spotty lacing.

S -lots of dark chocolate, so,e oatmeal type smells, roastiness, milk chocolate

T - sharp dark chocolate, roasty malt, vanilla, smooth milk chocolate on the background, quick shot of bittering hops close everything off. Leaves some chocolate in the aftertaste.

M - pretty thick, low carbonation.

O - a really really nice imperial stout. We don't get founders in my area, but would love to be able to get this off the shelf. Excellent on all fronts.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 23:58:23 | More by Beerandboards

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on Tap at Founders

A - A jet black pour with a very thin line of creamy head. Nice stick rings on the glass as I drank.

S - I had to work really hard to pull anything out of this. Faint coffee, chocolate, cough medicine????

T - This is where I was truly disappointed. I'm not sure if I had a bad pour, wrong keg, old keg,???? The only thing I could pull from this was that it tasted like Jagermiester mixed with Robitussin. I tried to let it come to room temp, i tried to cleanse my pallet, i ate pretzels, I had my buddy slap me across the face, but it just never came around.

O - I hope I had a bad pour because if not, this is one of the worst beers I have ever had and that hurts my heart because I love so much of what Founders has to offer. I will have to give it another shot, but it may be a while since I don't want to risk experiencing this again.

Purchased a solo from Sicilliano's Market.

A - Pitch black, and syrupy. A think line of creamy brownish head. Nice lacing.

S - Chocolate, malts, coffee, vanilla beans, licorice. A much nicer aroma on this on the second try almost a year removed from the first time I tried this.

T - Chocolate, big malty flavor, warming alcohol, but finishes with an extremely dry bitter anise flavor. Full bodied mouthfeel - syrupy.

O - I had a much better experience this time around. I found it was best to enjoy this beer at near room temp (as suggested by BA). I have to say that any style of brew that is heavily laden with anise flavors is hard for me to get my palate around so although this is a finely crafted brew, I don't think I'll be going back.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 18:13:43 | More by andrewjraab

gabedivision

New York

4.34/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle to a goblet

A- Pours pitch black, with thin brown head, visible alcohol legs

S- Brown sugar, sweet milk chocolate, some coffee

T- Explosive chocolate, milk chocoalte, dark chocolates, toffee, and finishes with a nice slightly bitter coffee flavor

M- Full bodied, smooth, velvety and very sweet

O- Great beer, just so full of flavor! Founders really does a great job with beer esp their big beers

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 04:56:27 | More by gabedivision

suspect

New York

4.29/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Founders Brewing Company Snifter.

A: Jet black sludge looking liquid tumbles out of the bottle and into the glass. Brew picks up legs and sends a pure brown head up slowly but surely. Head gets to about 1.5 fingers and then fades back down. Lacing is thick, sticky and plentiful.

S: Big roasty malt base with tons of dark fruit, cocoa, chocolate and some coffee (although not nearly the coffee that is in the Breakfast Stouts). Tucked away in the corner of the smells are the faintest notes of booze. Totally present but definitely well camouflaged.

T: Wonderful mix of booze, chocolate malts, cocoa nibs and coffee. ABV is pretty much non existant in the taste.

M: Huge bodied brew, yet the finish isn't sloppy. It's sharp, it's full and it completely coats the mouth much like it coats the glass. Slight bitterness at the end is the yang to the big time sweetness that the malts bring.

O: A superb brew, yet again, from Founders. Seriously, these guys do it as well as anyone and I'm eternally grateful I can continue to get their beers in New York State now.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 03:29:23 | More by suspect

weltywm

Pennsylvania

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

Poured out of a bottle into my Saranac snifter.

Appearance: Think like motor oil, with about 2 inches of off-white head.

Smell: Big, roasty, and sweet.

Taste: Huge. Big roasty notes of coffee and malt. As it warms, I taste molasses, caramel, espresso, and some oak. It's pretty boozy, but the alcohol taste doesn't interfere with the other tastes. If anything, it enhances them.

Mouthfeel: Very thick, with a really long and spicy finish.

Overall: One of the best brews I've had from a really awesome brewery. Definitely going to age one to see how it improves.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 03:04:35 | More by weltywm

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.51/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours pitch, motor oil black, with only a thin brownie batter type head. The foam fades to almost nothing. As it drinks, the beer coats the glass and leaving a touch of lacing.

S: The nose is sweet. Big malt backbone, with dark chocolate, licorice, and molasses shining through.

T: It's sweet to start with chocolate and mild raisin notes. Those flavors last into the finish, where I pick up some of that licorice. It gets increasingly bitter in the finish.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet and coating from start to finish. Syrupy is an understatement. It's super smooth, with tons of residual flavors left on the palate after it has moved off the palate.

O: Excellent Imp stout. Founders rarely disappoints, and this beer is wonderful. I'll be drinking much more of this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 21:42:10 | More by trxxpaxxs

hctap00

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

AdamF625

Massachusetts

4.61/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle Date 12/20/12 Poured into a tulip

A- Pitch black pour with a thick brown head

S- Roasted malt, dark cocoa

T- Toasted bitter cocoa nibs. The bitterness lingers from the hops. You can taste the alcohol on the back end but it's not overwhelming.

M- A nice thick creamy mouthfeel, just what I want out of a stout. Minimal carbonation. Warming from the alcohol on the back end.

O- Great imperial stout. Well balanced and I would like to sit on it to hopefully phase out some of the alcohol burn on the finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 03:02:40 | More by AdamF625