Founders CBS Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

kbeals

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap on KBS Day. Appears like their other Breakfast stouts, pitch black, although not much head and very little lacing. Smell was awesome, lots of rich coffee, whiskey, chocolate, and a bit of sweetness in the background from the maple syrup. Taste was also great, lots of coffee and a nice touch of alcohol to it. The maple syrup gives it a sweeter side compared to regular Breakfast Stout. Mouthfeel was thick and smooth, almost chewy. Drinkability was good, I had to fight to not take a huge swig of it, although the high alcohol content makes it a little too much to have a lot.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2009 14:33:51 | More by kbeals

dukedevil0

Illinois

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

on tap at the 09 kbs release...i can't help but compare this to KBS

A: pours dark black with light khaki head that dissipates

S: smells bourbon (even though I know this isn't aged in bourbon barrels), chocolate, vanilla, coffee...smells almost identical to KBS

T: just like the smell but even less boozy in the flavor, some extra sweetness and it tastes like the flavors are much better melded together

M: perfectly creamy for this style

D: dangerouly drinkable, alcohol is masked well in the flavor and it tastes really good

I think this one trumps KBS just a tad. I would love it if they bottled this and distributed it!

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2009 05:39:50 | More by dukedevil0

MasterSki

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Founders brewpub. Served in a pint glass.

A - By the time I got my glass from the server there was no foam left, so I spied on a glass being poured and noted a half-finger of mocha foam that dissipated quickly with negligible lace. Pitch black.

S - Coffee with cream, maple syrup, a hint of whiskey, roasted malts. It's a lot like regular Breakfast Stout (which is the base beer), but with the obvious maple/whiskey influence.

T - There's a lot more whiskey in the flavor, with a healthy amount of maple syrup, bitter coffee, and roasted malts. Again, it's a slightly richer version of regular Breakfast stout, and the added flavors complement the beer very well.

M - Moderate carbonation the complements the whiskey bite. Medium bodied, very smooth and creamy. It's what I expect from an American Double Stout.

D - The ABV is high, and the flavor is very intense, particularly the coffee bitterness and the whiskey bite. As a result palate fatigue sets in earlier than usual. Other than that, eminently quaffable!

A great variation on an already great beer. Hope this makes it out of the brewpub at some point.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 22:28:59 | More by MasterSki

Yetiman420

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Sitting in Founders on KBS release day at 11:30 enjoying this Canadian Breakfast Stout out of snifter.

8 oz for $5.

Black with a cocoa head.

Sweet, alcohol aroma. Some coffee notes.

Deep rich flavor. Roasted malt and coffee. Maple syrup lends a touch of sweetness.

Malt flavor and coffe punch on the finish. Major aroma down to the very last ounce.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 15:49:52 | More by Yetiman420

mcallister

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours black with a small off white head creamy and thick in appearance.

Big coffee aromas with hints of maple, vanilla, chocolate and oat.

This is tasty as hell. The maple adds a whole other layer of complexity. Adds a bit of resudual sugars that go nearly perfectly with the coffee and chocolate of the original. Thick in body and creamy as well. Possibly the most complex beer I've had to date. Absolutely delicious. Some dried dark fruits coming through as well. The finish is forever.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 15:15:11 | More by mcallister

smibroncos

New York

4.9/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This stout was creamy in the mouth, bitter in the finish and sweet maple syurup in the beginning. The beer had lots of dry coffeee flavor and some maple chocolate sweetness. The color was coffee black.The head was spare, I tried it mixed 3/4 canadian to 1/4 cherise cherry ale, and it was like a chocolate covered cherry. The guys at founders take alot of pride in their product and the beertenders are well versed in their profession.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2009 06:08:54 | More by smibroncos

alovesupreme

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had some of this at Extreme beer fest.
Very dark liquid with minimal head but looked great regardless.
Lots of coffee, and chocolate with noticeable Maple.
As is the original breakfast stout, this beer has lots of coffee character. This has much less bitterness than the original however since the maple balances out the beer and adds additional sweetness.
The mouthfeel is rich and thick, with a dry finish which I attribute to the extreme amounts of coffee in this beer.
This is a fantastic beer, I think it may be slightly better than the original since the maple balances out the acrid character of original breakfast stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2009 03:16:03 | More by alovesupreme

wiseguy142

New York

4.08/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

I don't think I've had a more delicious coffee beer in my life. This beer pours unholy black with a thicky tan creamy head. Aroma is basically of the most delicious coffee you could possibly imagine. Completely irresistable. Tastes follows the aroma up with pure coffee and roasted/chocolate malt. The flavor is so good but almost so intense that it turns you off. As good and as pure as this beer is, it's almost like tasting the most delicious coffee grounds in the world. You know it's the best coffee in the world, but it's still so strong that it makes you choke a bit. A mixed blessing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2009 06:44:35 | More by wiseguy142

WakeandBake

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Founders. A nice dark black color pour with a light brown foamy head.Aroma is nice sweet maple,brown sugar,coffee and a hint of alcohol,smoke,and grain. Flavor is huge roasted coffee molasses,vanilla and maple syrup,with a hint of smoke, a nice alcohol flavor/bite at the end,and the maple sweetness stays on your lips after the sip. Thick body,soft carbonation, a little sweet and thick to be called sessionable but wow what a good beer,you swear that you are going to taste or smell bacon next but never quite do. Very Very good.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2009 14:29:33 | More by WakeandBake

CRJMellor

Arkansas

4.55/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This barrel-aged version of regular Breakfast Stout is aged in a maple syrup barrel.
This version is really enjoyable and maintains the majority of the characteristics of the regular BS. However, the maple syrup cuts down on some of the more bitter elements and replaces with a smooth sweetness from the maple influences. Mouthfeel is a little bit smoother and mellower than the regular version. Overall, just as enjoyable and really enjoyable version of the regular great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 22:02:52 | More by CRJMellor