Founders CBS Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

sguzman

New Jersey

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

This has to be one of the best Imperial Stout by Founders. I am a big fan of Imperial Stout beers and Found has tip the scale on this one. I cannot wait to taste it ontap. Founders usually makes an appearance in late Spring in either at Bind Tiger or RattleAndHum on 33rd East street.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 19:45:27 | More by sguzman

Etan

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Bottle shared by Oscar and Caitlin, into a snifter.

A. Black with some woody tones, and a small tan head.

S. Thick chocolate, mint-like note, light oak and vague coffee.

T. More chocolate, licorice, hint of coffee, anise, caramel, sugar.

M. Thick-bodied with light carbonation.

O. The only thing that hasn't faded is the chocolate, which leaves the beer quite sweet. No bourbon, no maple, barely any coffee. Some licorice/anise flavors have also developed, which isn't really good.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 06:17:44 | More by Etan

macrosmatic

Florida

4.71/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Big thanks to augustg for this bottle! Reviewed from notes. Poured from 750 mL bottle into a Peg's snifter glass.

A: Dark, nearly black, and opaque. Forms about 3/4 of a finger's worth of tan head, more than expected. No visible carbonation.

S: Bourbon, vanilla oak, sweet (maple syrup?), dark roasted malts - the cacao barely dominant over the coffee - and some lactose sweetness.

T: Dark chocolate beans, bourbon, oak, some coffee, sweet maple, some raw tobacco, and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon. Bourbon is noticeable but smoothed by the sweetness, and enhances the rest of the flavors. Hang is creamy sweet plus roasted coffee bitter and the oaky vanilla...and is teeth-sucking good.

M: Great mouthfeel - smooth and silky. Low carbonation sensation, and the alcohol is obvious but integrated into the flavors of the beer.

O: Really, really good. Wow. I'm very glad I had the chance to drink this. After hearing many people opine that the maple has fallen off, I wish I had had the chance to drink one fresher - but even as it is today, it still meets and perhaps exceeds the hype. I'm very impressed.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:52:00 | More by macrosmatic

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a HF stemmed glass. Consumed on 4/19 right before '12 + '13 KBS, reviewed from notes, bottle split three ways. I believe this bottle is approaching around a year and half old right now. Thanks Don (DonFrap) for sharing a long time want.

A- Pours a pitch black with a thin creamy mocha brown head, slightly above average retention leaving light lacing. Like most of the Founders beers I've had this beer looks extremely appealing.

S- Dark chocolate, chocolate chips, maple syrup, oak, subtle bourbon lurking in the background, definitely above average aroma strength but not overly aromatic.

T- Dark chocolate that is slightly on the bitter side, maple syrup, vanilla, light oak, some light creamy coffee on the finish. Overall nice balance although coffee maybe faded a little bit at this point.

M- Smooth, velvety, nice carbonation, very easy drinking.

O- This was a very good stout that lived up to expectations but is probably a little bit overrated. I never had this fresh but in my opinion comparing it to both the '12 KBS and '13 KBS (CBS outdates '12 KBS by ~4-5 months) it is falling off a little bit. Like the '12 KBS the coffee seemed to have faded a little bit and there was a little bit more bitterness to the chocolate then I was expecting which was similar to how the '12 KBS compared to the '13 KBS. Overall like the '13 KBS I think I might have enjoyed this a little bit more when it first came out. That being said it was still delicious and well worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 20:49:38 | More by jaasen64

weonfire

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this on tap at Holy Grale in Louisville, Ky in a 10 oz snifter.

A - Dark Brown, zero light penetrates through, murky, light mocha head - pencil thin - small amount remains around rim for a few minutes.

S - Heavy maple, chocolate, vanilla, toffe, smoke, and a real boozy rum.

T - Initial: sweet maple, vanilla and toffee, Finish: is a mild roast, smoke and a bit boozy.

M - Full body, thick, Creamy, real frothy, high viscosity, touch of that elusive velvet.

O - Tastes much better than the nose. Nose is way more boozy than I was expecting. Also, I think this is bit too sweet for me- simply too rich. Too much maple- almost taste a rum flavor. Love the smoothness, mouth is excellent but not is nice as KBS.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 00:23:55 | More by weonfire

shand

Florida

4.59/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Yet another of the Top 5 knocked out by Redbird. In fact, I'm pretty sure all of the top 5 beers I've had have been from Redbird at this point. Big ups to him. CBS pours black with a finger of head that quickly drops down. The aroma is very sweet, with big bourbon notes shining through a dark fruit and roasted malt base. On the tongue, a smooth maltiness, vanilla, and dark fruit comes through first, then a bit of anise, chocolate, and the faintest hint of coffee on the middle that transitions gloriously to the thing that I can tell gives CBS it's reputation. That awesome, fantastic lingering maple and bourbon aftertaste. The mouthfeel is actually a little lighter than I would have expected. Overall - CBS wasn't my absolute favorite big stout - but I can forgive it, it's a little bit old at this point. It's still very delicious and worthy of the hype.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 00:35:16 | More by shand

wramshaw

Ontario (Canada)

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

Loved this well over a year ago in the taproom and in one of the 2 bottles I was able to find in Kalamazoo back the day it was released a year and a half ago I think really looking forward to opening the other bottle. Might wait until I get some KBS at the end of the month

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 21:41:33 | More by wramshaw

justyouraveragebeerguy

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Had on tap at founders 15th anniversary party

A- Pitch black, no light can pass through this monster. A finger of a mocha/kacki head.

S- Wow. Big vanilla, molasses, dark chocolate, coffee, some sweetness coming through

Taste- Exactly how it smells. Right up front you get a sweetness immediately cut with a roasted coffee bitterness. Big vanilla, molasses and dark chocolate notes. The roast and coffee come through later on.

O- I really don't know what more you can ask from a BA stout. This beer is absolutely amazing. By far the best beer I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 04:17:03 | More by justyouraveragebeerguy

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

a thick black pour with half a finger of head which quickly turned into a ring of small brown bubbles around the glass. smells of dark chocolate, coffee, slight hint of vanilla/bourbon barrel, subtle sweet maple/caramel scent. oh dear god this is PHENOMENAL. sweet, oh so sweet of a nectar. definitely getting lots of maple, lots of barrel flavor, sweet milk chocolate, mocha flavors. i've never had such a sweet delicious stout.

full body with low carbonation, a syrupy delight to enter your mouth.

i know this beer is hyped like all hell, and let me tell you, it IS all it's worked up to be. i've had fbs, and kbs, and this is nothing like either. i believe this is the best stout i've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 20:49:46 | More by facundoCNB

PsilohsaiBiN

New York

4.8/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

bottle

Appearance: Very dark, as expected, with a small tan head that quickly fades to the perimeter.

Smell: Rich chocolate, bourbon, caramel, maple syrup, brown sugar.

Taste: Matches up perfectly to the nose. A hit of maple syrup gives way to chocolate and coffee deliciousness. A smack of bourbon hits afterward and lingers into the finish with some dark chocolate and carmelized sugar. Really drinkable for the abv, and blended really well. I just honestly don't see how you can improve on this. Alcohol is hidden really well, just tasty.

Mouthfeel: Perfect consistency for this style. It's just right, full and heavy without being extremely viscous.

Overall: Too bad I didn't get to taste this fresh. I've heard all the stories of faded maple, but I can definitely taste it throughout the course of the drink and that extra element makes me like this that much more. If it's even sweeter with more syrup character, I might like it even more. The bourbon dominates here, but that extra maple dimension adds to the complexity nicely. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:14:57 | More by PsilohsaiBiN

beerdrifter

Germany

4.1/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in a great trade with Evan! Really thick pitch black pour with a one finger caramel colored head that fades quickly with great lacing. Huge complex woody nose. Tons of roasty coffee and maple up front along with plenty of dark chocolate and hints of bourbon, vanilla, and caramel. The taste is just as big and is also dominated by the sweet maple syrup, roasty coffee, and bourbon. Also getting hints of licorice, bitter chocolate, vanilla, molasses, caramel, and toffee. The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy with a subtle creaminess and a touch of booziness on the finish. Overall, this is just a tad bit too sweet for my taste. And it fell a little short of all the hype. Would love to try it fresh and see how it compares. Still an awesome beer from one of the best!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 22:12:20 | More by beerdrifter

Malty_Matty

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- looks like spent motor oil. Coats the glass as you drink with almost no head.

S- coffee bourbon and maple.

T- the maple is subdued, coffee dominates the overall flavor profile, there are also some strong hints of dark chocolate.

M- thick and sticky. What more can you ask in a stout?

All in all I don't think it lives up to the hype. It's a great beer but the coffee really needs se subtlety.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:18:23 | More by Malty_Matty

DrHopHead

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I wasn't as impressed with this beer as I am of the KBS. Founders makes some great beers and I am not knocking it, but it wasn't as good as I had expected. The Frangelic Mountain is like heaven in a glass though. Keep making great beers Founders and to all the great breweries in Michigan!!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 20:10:39 | More by DrHopHead

emsjf

Virginia

4.96/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Everything with the aroma and taste is so well-blended. After a year in the bottle, this brew really tastes like nothing I've had before.

CBS is definitely on the sweeter side, the maple syrup bourbon barrels deliver that, but not overly sweet. Roasty coffee and chocolate balance out the palate.

Super hyped brew, but in this case - believe the hype.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 18:39:24 | More by emsjf

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.05/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to laxer8811 for bringing this..."relief bottle" for our infected beer tasting! The bottle is almost a year aged at this point.

The beer pours a jet black with almost no head. The nose is distinctly woody and sweet with a touch of bitter chocolate. I'm intrigued...the taste is a punch of distinct maple with a bit of licorice, chocolate, and roasty malts. I don't get the coffee as much as in a bottle of FBS. The mouthfeel is rich and flavorful, fudgy and slightly bitter, with a lingering roastiness. This is one of the most distinctly flavorful stouts I've had, but it doesn't pop with flavors as I'd expected. It's definitely a unique experience, but I'm not sure it's worth the tremendous hype trying to get a bottle unless it's re-released and consumed fresh.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 21:15:36 | More by ThePorterSorter

merc7186

New York

4.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Laxer8811 for sharing this shitty bottle.

Bomber into tasting glass

A: Dark Opaque Hue, Passes No Light, Brown Head, Some Lacing

S: Bourbon, Maple, Mild Chocolate Malts

T: Bourbon, Chocolate Fudge Brownie

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Mildly Boozy, Mildly Sweet

Overall, pretty solid and worth mose of the hype.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 00:59:39 | More by merc7186

ryanfolty

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Date: April 9, 2012 Mode: Tap Source: Tilia Description: Opaque black pour with some head and great lacing. Aroma bourbon, chocolate, maple and coffee. Starts with a slap in the face of bourbon that lingers as the chocolate and coffee come rolling in, the bourbon then gives way to a sweet delicious maple that is not too strong, before finishing with some more bourbon. Founders how do you do that voodoo that you do so well? Wow, this is amazing, lives up to the hype and then some!!!

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2013 23:21:10 | More by ryanfolty

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A tasty beer, and credit for that, but I tell you up front coffee and maple syrup, both in huge abundance on top of their regular breakfast stout, is not my preferred choices. I would rather tuned up chocolate. Lots of true coffee, even the taste of creme (though I understand no real creme used). Very filling, the maple syrup seems added in. Above average mouthfeel,, though not as thick as one could imagine. Thanks to Mike at Champane's for putting this one aside for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:08:15 | More by northyorksammy

Rinkor16

California

4.73/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Opened on 12/28/12. Tasted alongside BCBCS, Hunahpu's and Black Tuesday.

A: Jet black with very little head that stuck around.

S: Tons of chocolate, roasty malt and maple.

T: Chocolate with roasted malt in the front, followed by some nice maple and slight bourbon taste. The maple wasn't as prominent as I thought it would be, but it was definitely still there.

M: The right amount of carbonation and very smooth. Enjoyable for sure.

O: Definitely lived up to the hype for me. I wish the maple was more present, but it was still an excellent beer. Loved it!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 05:48:04 | More by Rinkor16

comfortablynumb1

California

4.13/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Andrew for sending this one my way. Had at a blind tasting with a Black Tuesday, 11 BCBS, Pugachev's Cobra, and Huna...

A - Pours black with one finger brown head that dissipates at good pace. Lacing is minimal...

S - Chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, oak/vanilla, and bourbon. Maple is in the mix, but is fairly muted...

T - Chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts up front. Oak, vanilla, and bourbon on the end. Bourbon is very smooth, and the maple is just underwhelming. Chocolate comes across very nicely, but I was expecting more maple/ sweetness...

M - Rich and creamy with a decent amount of carboantion for the style. Sits somewhere on the lower end of the full bodied spectrum...

O - My least favorite of the BA beers we had at the blind tasting. Would have liked to see how this would have stacked up fresh...

Cheers...

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 00:36:17 | More by comfortablynumb1

srv33

4.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If there is a beer in heaven, this is it. Quite similar to KBS, but more refined, more complexity, more smooth, and more sweet. It pours a near pitch black, scent of bourbon, maple syrup, caramel malt, chocolate, and so many other wonderfully balanced flavors. The mouthfeel is smooth, balanced, complex, and not too heavy - really just right. This is game over, Founders won. Wish I had a case of this...

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 21:54:28 | More by srv33

HopsHopenstein

Connecticut

4.83/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes taking on 8/26/12

Poured into Kate the Great snifter

Thanks to huskermike for this 1.

A- jet black with 1/2 finger mocha head. Appearance is great for the style. Cant wait to smell and drink this bad boy.

S- chocolate, coffee, roasted malt everything that makes big stouts amazing. Then throw in some maple and bourbon barrel notes just to add another level of awesome to it.

T- Big chocolate, coffee, vanilla notes up front followed by roasted malt and more fresh coffee, chocolate and barrel character. The maple comes through to me in the end to really smooth everything out and rounds this stout out with the perfect finish.

O- "FEED ME MORE!!!" wow favorite stout to date (as of 8/26/12). I have had this beer on draft before at Armsby Abbey for stoutfest and didnt have the opportunity to review it. I had heard this beer might have fallen off a touch in the bottle, I disagree. This beer was as good as the first time I had it on draft. Amazing beer well worth the hype. I hope to land another 1 of these in the future. Maybe Founders will answer the call and find a way to remake this guy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 21:45:28 | More by HopsHopenstein

vfgccp

New York

4.95/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Midnight black. Khaki head sits low with ok lace and retention.

S - Pure and unbelievably rich dark chocolate, caramel, black coffee, and vanilla.

T - Godiva dark chocolate truffles, vanilla, caramel, outstanding oatmeal notes, toffee, and espresso. This is everything it's cracked up to be. Soft maple note on the backend.

M - Stupidly smooth and incredibly rich. Bitter sweet chocolate melting in your mouth.

O - This was stellar on tap. One of the best beers I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 00:28:16 | More by vfgccp

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Founders 15th Anniversary Party, served in a snifter MANY times over.

Black with a medium brown head, leaves a ring of retention and dense lacing. Nose of hazelnut, light maple, bourbon, cocoa and bakers chocolate. Taste has more bourbon, maple, chocolate, rum soaked raisins and more hazelnut. Mouthfeel is medium heavy, but not as heavy as I expected. Great flavour all around - the highlight of the anniversary party, end up having about half a dozen servings of this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2012 18:11:45 | More by liamt07

TheBeerTruck

Michigan

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

Tapped at the brewery during their 15th Anniversary Party on 11-17-12. Most times, it runs out before everyone in the bar gets some, but not this time. It was on for around three hours...the first time. They brought it back again in the evening. Most people were ordering two and sometimes three glasses. I was able to enjoy four while enjoying the party.

Served in a snifter, which was held for a bit so it could warm up, it poured beautifully dark, rich, thick and with a great caramel colored head.

After warming up a little, all the expected aromas of chocolate, coffee and vanilla were there though the maple sweetness was a little thin.

The taste was just as I remembered. In my personal experience, the maple is the first flavor to fade. Expecting that, I wasn't let down that it was a little faint. All the other flavors reflected exacted what the nose displayed and was great swish after swish with an unbiting explosion of been too long flavor.

Overall - like I said...I had four.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 04:32:22 | More by TheBeerTruck