 kmweaver (1948), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
Jul 17, 2006 Updated: Apr 18, 2007
Rerate, 04.18.07: 12oz bottle, latest batch, courtesy of artusory. Thanks, Ryan! It’s interesting to try this with a few more ratings behind my belt. Pours a beautiful dark black center; medium tan head with great retention and lacing. Lots of lightly-roasted coffee and hints of vanilla in the aroma. Medium-to-full, bitter mouthfeel: tons of coffee upfront; toasty vanilla and bourbon notes from the barrel, but these are overwhelmed by the prominent coffee notes; hints of a layer of milk chocolate underneath; some astringency. Long, coffee and chocolate finish; slightly creamy. The coffee presence really dominates this beer.
7.5.8.4.14=3.8
RBSG 06. Coffee and vanilla nose. Medium mouthfeel, with the bourbon nicely subdued; ends with a long oak and coffee finish. Well balanched, and quite possibly (screw insipid Folgers!) the best part of waking up. 9.5.8.4.16=4.2
PilsnerPeter (1376), Flushing, New York, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Bottle: (received in a trade about 6 months ago, but I forget from who. Thanks though) Pours opaque with a fading, very deep brown head. The aroma is pungent and charred. Smells like old/used coffee grinds, an ash tray with water poured into it, a touch of vanilla/booze sweet undertones, and lots of whiskey/oak character. A bit harsh. The body has a substantial feel without being cloying. Starts off harsh and one dimensional with just the base beer character showing it’s overwhelming coffee grind flavor. However, as it warms a touch of vanilla comes through, followed by more bourbon/cask character. The sweetness from the barrel balanced the base beers homogeneous bitter coffee grind character. (I’m not really a fan of the Founders Breakfast Stout) But this stuff gained a lot from the barrel, giving it that bourbon sweet bite and balancing the harshness. It worked out really well. This is significantly better than the Breakfast Stout (which had no subtleties) In short, the barrel character saved the beer and gave it some nuances to enjoy.
colemgm8 (363), Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Aug 15, 2008 2006 bottle thanks to TBC. This rating and bottle is to celebrate the birth of my daughter... I’ve been saving this bottle for a special occasion... pours a deep dark black with a good size tan head. aromas of bourbon, coffee, licorice and vanilla. simply outstanding... nice solid body over the palate with the licorice coming through strong on the front of the palate and the bourbon aged barrels on the finish. coffee undertones on the sides and deep roasted malts throughout. Founders has crafted a world class beer and deserves all the hype surrounding this beer.
marchcow (482), Coralville, Iowa, USA
Aug 10, 2008 Strong and rich with a very thick palate and well balanced flavors of oak, coffee, vanilla, malt and chocolate. Deep dark with a reddish brown head. Very good.
Praetorian (42), Los Angeles, California, USA
Aug 7, 2008 Pours like motor oil with a very small head but has good lacing. The aroma is of minerals, bitter black coffee and dirt. Has a flavor of coffee with notes of chocolate and oak. Full bodied and very bitter throughout with a syrupy texture. A good stout, but very harsh-not for beginners.
m4rest88 (44), Beverly Hills, California, USA
Aug 7, 2008 Pours with virtually no head. The body is murky with no particles. The body hue is a very dark brown color, maybe even black.
The aroma of the beer is very moldy, minerally, with a hint of a cobweb scent. - Smells a little like an attic that hasnt been opened up in years.
The initial flavor is moderately sweet with the finish being heavily bitter. The body feels full to the palate and the texture feels syrupy. The beer has soft carbonation. A little Disappointed by this beer.
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