Breakfast Stout is an American Imperial Stout brewed by Founders Brewing Co., and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a snifter from a 12 oz. bottle.

Packaging art for the Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing Co.

What You Should Know

The Breakfast Stout is a classic brew hearkening back to the early years of Founders Brewing. The recipe hasn’t changed much over the years, utilizing a blend of oats, chocolate, and coffee. The coffee beans are provided by the brewery’s hometown neighbor, Ferris Coffee and Nut (more on the coffee roaster in the video below). So how is this Imperial Stout? Let’s get to the review.

Appearance

The Stout pours a mahogany hue and is topped by an inch-thick cap of dense mocha-colored foam that shows excellent retention. The head’s reduction leaves a smattering of droplets along the sides of the glass.

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Aroma

The aroma is strong — strong enough that you’ll immediately pick up sweet chocolate from the moment you pop open the cap. As the beer loses its chill a strong scent of coffee takes over.

Flavor

The palate is led by malty oatmeal and is immediately followed by a big note of coffee roast. The tasting then mellows with a sweet blend of dark chocolate, molasses, toffee, and dark fruits. The finish is a salty mix of olive, nearly burnt coffee, and booze.

Label art for the Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing Co.

Mouthfeel

The feel is quite smooth — almost creamy and slightly oily — with its full body and medium carbonation. The finish is dry with a less-than-moderate bitterness. The alcohol content lends a modest warmth.

Overall

The Breakfast Stout looks lovely in the glass. The aroma is fantastic — sweet at first, roast later, and lasts throughout the tasting. The feel is spot on and supports its rich palate nicely. And speaking of palate, the range of flavors is fantastic. Perhaps not quite as diversified as Founders’ KBS or CBS variants, but so good for a year-round offering. If you’re craving an Imperial Stout and those aforementioned brews aren’t available, you won’t do much better than the Breakfast Stout.

Watch the Video

Take a look at the video from Founders Brewing discussing the Breakfast Stout and how Ferris Coffee and Nut had to win their business.