Founders Imperial Stout

Brewed by Founders Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Massive brown head over a body of motor oil... substantial lacing. Aromas are sweet... of molasses, chocolate and coffee with earthy peat undercurrents. Sweetness in aroma comes through strong in flavor which, in addition to coffee/chocolate flavors of most stouts, also has a dark fruit/prune flavor and some molasses-type notes. There is a bit of an alcohol warmth and a slight bite to the palate, but it blends nicely. Fairly reminiscent of Breakfast Stout, but comes off as being a little milder in spite of higher alcohol content.

Initially there is an aroma of plums and raisins. The aroma of coffee and chocolate come to then dominate, yet the aroma remains subtle. The color is a deep black with a tan head. At first there is a flavor of fruit and chocolate that gives way to a more roasted taste. The aftertaste of the roasted malt grows in intensity for several seconds on the palate.

Deep, murky imperial pour presents an inky black mass that offers a nose of sweet fruit, roast, chocolate and a faint smoke. Palate is heavy, heavy, heavy. Flavor follows the palate with a certain density that weighs upon you. Chocolate, molasses, and toffee all sound notes within a cream mixture that is dominating in terms of flavor. Impact is strong and rich for this brew. Not a predictable imperial, but a rich, creative one nonetheless.

Pours as black as anything else I’ve ever poured, looks more like oil than beer. The head is thin and dark tan to brown. This stuff really clings to the side of the glass too, nearly a 5 for appearance. The aroma isn’t overpowering, but it is very nice, chocolate and alcohol after the pour, with some swirling the roast becomes evident. After letting it warm in my hand some a raisiny alcohol tone starts to shine through. The palate is really some kind of wonderful, sticky and yet slippery (like something coagulating, in a good way!). Thick like heavy cream in the mouth--they really don’t get better than this. The flavor is hit-you-over-the-head intense. First you get the roastiness, it’s strong and impossible to ignore, though it is balanced by the alcohol so well that it isn’t overwhelming. Theres some sweet lactic tastes and touches of coffee flavors. A lingering charcoal roastiness is balanced by some floral hop notes in the after taste. I really can’t believe this is 12% ABV, but with a good big beer, I guess you never notice ABV’s.

Pours thick and dark with almost no head, but whats there is a super dark brown. Can smell chocolatey alcohol and a little bit of malt along and a bit sweet. Flavour is extremely roasty, start to finish, and a very bitter chocolate, alcohol. Beyond that, there are some creamy vanilla and woody flavours. The palate is great- thich, smooth. A great beer!

It pours a dark motor oil, with a dark brown head. I’m going to quote Battlekow, "It doesnt make sense to have this beer if it’s not a regular rotational offering" I agree, Breakfast Stout is 2 times as good, but it’s offered the same amount of the time. Granted this beer is awsome, full of chocolate, coffee, and caramel malts. But it’s tepid in comparison and there is no dark fruits at all. For what it is, it’s damn good, just not marketed properly.

Thanks to Chuck for the sample. Has a nice roasty malt aroma. Very dark, pours almost like motor oil. Has a nice roasty flavor, quite enjoyable. Thick body, with good carbonation. Overall, this is quite good.

black pour w/ a full thick brown head and some great lacing. Big roast aroma touches of hop hints of tobacco hints of alcohol, light coffee. Palate is full well coated and lightly creamy. Flavor is full and roasty some chocolates a light bitterness that lingers.