Founders Imperial Stout

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

Serve in Snifter

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UPDATED: FEB 1, 2007 2003 bottle. Pours an incredibly pitch black color, deep, dark and thick with an amazing amount of dark roasted tan head, big and creamy, with plenty of layering as it is poured. Bottle conditioned. Aroma, surprisingly, is pretty weak for an imperial. What there is, is not bad, but it just isn’t big and super sniffable. Some oily roast, hints of dark chocolate, a bit of smokiness, and a touch of alcohol. Flavor, however, is superb. Thick, rich and creamy with some smokiness intertwined with a big full roastiness jumping out first. As it proceeds some hops come in to the mix, lightly bittersweet and then a huge, creamy chocolate flavor is apparent towards the end and finish. Dark chocolate, oily roast and some sweeter malt touches all make this one great. There is alot of ethanol apparent, however, and I’m not a big fan of that. Still, must reiterate the wonderful chocolatey smooth mouthfeel.
2005 bottle consumed Aug 06
Initially large, beige-tan head fizzles quickly to cover, then ring. No lacing, quite black in appearance.
Beany, wet, stale and soggy are words that all come to mind. And infected. Pretty sure there shouldnt be any lactic qualities in this. Heavily vinous, to the point of being fatiguing and astringent. Dark chocolate and moderate bitterness with no softness or round malt edges to balance.
Flavor is old, very beany and vinous, with a definite cardboard blandness and way too much fruitiness. Watery in texture and body, with no malt softness. Infected, it seems. Granted this is not a fresh bottle and Founders certainly makes it known that their beers should be drunk fresh. But frankly it’s an imperial stout and if it cant handle a year of aging without developing an infection, that’s just pathetic. Gotta wonder about Founders bottling line....granted it’s not a strong infection, but still problematic and readily noticeable.
Score is an average of the two I’ve had (fresh and aged). If I can find an aged sample that proves my theory wrong, I’ll up the score.

Appearance- A thick, viscous elixir pours from the bottle and fills the glass like velvet. It’s pitch black light a moonless night in the forest. Sinful is a word that comes to mind. No light gets through this beauty. A small cocoa colored half finger head dissipates quickly. Smell- I get strong dark chocolate notes up front. Very sweet smelling. There’s coffee, followed by that signature Stout roastiness. There’s a faint hint of oak lurking beneath it all. Almost a whiff of cherries in there? Taste- Coffee and deep dark chocolate notes lead off and it’s quite pleasant but it trails off quickly into an unknown bitterness. It invites a second taste quickly. The roasty character is almost too strong on the second go and it starts to overpower quickly. I find myself wishing that some of the underlying malt and chocolate flavors could shine through. Mouthfeel- Rich and sticking. It takes on the velvet quality here in the mouth just like in the pour. It sticks to the tongue and the chops. Overall- A sweet, decently priced Imperial Stout with some slight balance issues? We can’t all be perfect and this beer really shines everywhere else. I’m definitely more partial to the BS, and especially the KBS but this is an easy to obtain winner.

Bottle 355ml. Pours black with low brown head, some lacing. Aroma is of chocolate, sweetness, alchool, roasted malt. Taste is of chocolate, coffee, warming alchool, roasted malt. Full bodied. Very nice balance. Nice roast bitterness. Outstanding.

Bottle sample at a tasting at Ariel’s place. Thanks eyes_wide_shut. Black with a nice brown head. Strong aroma of thick dark chocolate, coffee and a bit of alcohol. Bittersweet flavor full of burnt malt, dark chocolate, a bit of coffee and a dry finish with a bit of alcohol and light bitterness. Full-bodied. A great Imperial Stout.

Pours black with brown head and nice lacing. Aroma: mostly chocolate, with coffee, roasted malt, and alcohol. Well balanced taste with slight bitterness. Alcohol is well hidden for a 10,5% beer. Creamy texture. Outstanding beer! Robe noire, collet brun et beau lacing. Arome: principalement du chocolat, accompagné de café, de malt rôti et d’alcool. Goût bien équilibré, légère amertume. L’alcool est bien masqué pour une bière à 10,5%. Texture crémeuse. Une maudite bonne bière!

Bottle. Pours a deep viscous black with a monstrous dark tan head resembling chocolate mousse. Old roast, some dwindling cocoa and age. Dark plum and stone fruit, dark cocoa. Medium to thick bodied, full of sweet roast and chocolate. Bitter dark chocolate, cocoa. Super smooth, warm and roasty. Light bitterness gains intensity as it moves to a pile of dark bitter chocolate. Lovely stuff.

Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured thick, black and oily iwth a medium sized creamy very dark brown head that lingered and left good lacing. The aroma was a marvelous blend of sweet toasty malts, chocolate syrup, berries and fig. The flavor was roasty with notes of Bakers chocolate, wood, smoke, berries and raisins. The finish was very long, dry, roasty and smoky. Thick, full and creamy body. Well done but drier than I would prefer.

UPDATED: MAY 15, 2012 Bottle pour into Sam Adams glass. Smells like malt and chocolate. Deep brown pour, almost black with a small amount of coffee brown foam head. Bitter almost charred/smokey flavor. Very thick presence. Bitter finish. Alcohol content evaporates and dries your mouth.

Bottle, from my MTH glass. Pours thick viscous black, thin tan head with spotty lacing. Nose is floral, with light herbal notes; big tar, smoke and mocha. Flavours of soft sweet molasses, light tar, very rich and chewy. a solid Imperial stout, I will have to revisit this after my bottles get a bit more age on them.

12 oz. bottle, pours black with a medium brown head. Aroma is extremely roasty, with chocolately malt, subtle coffee and loads of roasted malt. Flavour is very chocolatey, dark velvety rich, slightly sweetened chocolate, roasted malt, and some oatmeal. Extremely rich, velvety, smooth, full-bodied impy. Absolutely fantastic.

Bottle. Coffee aroma. Black with disappearing brown head. Bitter and strong tasting. Alcohol burn is noticeable. This would be a nice warm you up beer. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone