Beer of the Weekend #387: Founders Breakfast Stout
Breakfast Stout, Breakfast Stout, Breakfast Stout. It seems like every time I go to my beer group someone mentions Founders’ Breakfast Stout. Needless to say, I had to get some and splurged on a four-pack yesterday.
The beer of the night is Breakfast Stout, brewed by the Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Yes, I know I reinstated my “Friday and Saturday nights only” drinking rule, but last night I was technically working and tonight I am doing it for the hell of it. That Saturday deadline, and the thought of having to write another long article in two more weeks, is wearing on me.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is opaque black; no light passed through when I held it to a lamp. One finger of tan head dissipated fairly quickly to leave a cappuccino-like lacing and ring around the edge. A couple strong swirls creates a frothy, brown ring that eventually fades to tan again.
Smell: Espresso, but in no way does it dominate the aroma as it does with other coffee-infused stouts. Balancing it is roasted malts, dark chocolate, and smooth oatmeal grain. It smells like a convenience store on Sunday morning: coffee and hot pastries.
Taste: It is a heavenly mélange of espresso, dark chocolate, roasted grains, and oatmeal. At first the espresso bitterness is balanced by the other flavors, but as the beer continues to warm the espresso kick begins to dominate from sip to swallow.
Drinkability: This is an excellent brew — one I may actually consider drinking for breakfast.
Fun facts about Breakfast Stout:
-Style: The label calls it “Double Chocolate Coffee Oatmeal Stout” and BA classifies it as “American Double/Imperial Stout.”
-Price: $11.49/four-pack at the “Drug Town” on North First Avenue in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-55ºF.
-Alcohol content: 8.3 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends buttery cheeses, chocolate, beef, smoked meat, game, and grilled meat.
-IBU: 60.
-Nerdiness from the webpage:
“Goes forever” huh? Maybe it would have if my pour was better.
-Breakfast Stout is only available from September to February.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
The beer of the night is Breakfast Stout, brewed by the Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Yes, I know I reinstated my “Friday and Saturday nights only” drinking rule, but last night I was technically working and tonight I am doing it for the hell of it. That Saturday deadline, and the thought of having to write another long article in two more weeks, is wearing on me.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is opaque black; no light passed through when I held it to a lamp. One finger of tan head dissipated fairly quickly to leave a cappuccino-like lacing and ring around the edge. A couple strong swirls creates a frothy, brown ring that eventually fades to tan again.
Smell: Espresso, but in no way does it dominate the aroma as it does with other coffee-infused stouts. Balancing it is roasted malts, dark chocolate, and smooth oatmeal grain. It smells like a convenience store on Sunday morning: coffee and hot pastries.
Taste: It is a heavenly mélange of espresso, dark chocolate, roasted grains, and oatmeal. At first the espresso bitterness is balanced by the other flavors, but as the beer continues to warm the espresso kick begins to dominate from sip to swallow.
Drinkability: This is an excellent brew — one I may actually consider drinking for breakfast.
Fun facts about Breakfast Stout:
-Style: The label calls it “Double Chocolate Coffee Oatmeal Stout” and BA classifies it as “American Double/Imperial Stout.”
-Price: $11.49/four-pack at the “Drug Town” on North First Avenue in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-55ºF.
-Alcohol content: 8.3 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends buttery cheeses, chocolate, beef, smoked meat, game, and grilled meat.
-IBU: 60.
-Nerdiness from the webpage:
The coffee lover’s consummate beer. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and imported chocolates, and Sumatra and Kona coffee, this stout has an intense fresh-roasted java nose topped with a frothy, cinnamon-colored head that goes forever.
“Goes forever” huh? Maybe it would have if my pour was better.
-Breakfast Stout is only available from September to February.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
