Founders Breakfast Stout
March 8, 2010
Its breakfast time! Well, almost. If you read the label with the creepy baby of Founders Breakfast Stout, you’ll find that in addition to chocolate, (which makes any meal better) this particular stout is brewed with coffee (of the Sumatra and Kona variety) and Oatmeal. Its like breakfast in a bottle!
I’ve read a lot of good things about this beer, and as a stout-lover I’ve been really wanting to try it for The Brew Club. You’ll be happy I did! I know I was!
First, look at that picture. That’s a good looking beer, don’t you think? The beer is very dark, probably black in color. The beer is so dark, even my halogen desk lamp’s light could not penetrate it! The foamy head is a complimentary milk chocolaty color.
Spending some time on what the Founders Breakfast Stout smells like beyond the obvious (and wonderful) chocolate and java, you have warm roasty malts and just a hint of alcohol which is impressive for a beer that’s 8.3% ABV.
The flavor is just unreal. Like the aroma, its a combination of bitter coffee, sweet chocolate, and rich malt. The flavors were individually identifiable if I concentrated on it, while at the same time were seemingly perfectly blended so that it was hard to tell where the coffee started and the chocolate ended and vice-versa. I really liked trying to figure out this beer, but then I realized there isn’t much to it. Its kind of simple, but very, very well done.
Again, for an 8.3% ABV beer, the Founders Breakfast Stout keeps the alcohol flavor well managed, it never steals the show from the coffee and chocolate, but you do get a little of that warm finish that reminds you to keep track of how many of these you consume!
The body was full as one might imagine for a stout, and I found the mouthfeel to be creamy and there was just the right amount of carbonation. The only problem I have with this beer is that I don’t have more of it!
Looking back on this little beer review, I have to say that I’ve had some pretty good beers lately- many getting 4-stars which is unusual for me. I’m really hesitant to give a beer 5 stars, but for the life of me I can’t think of any reason not to! Granted, I LOVE this style of beer. I like stouts; milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, what have you, but the way Founders was able to perfectly bring together some of my favorite flavors of coffee and chocolate has so far been unmatched.
So, there you have it. Founders Breakfast Stout gets the first 5-star beer rating (from me) since 2008! If you like stouts, do yourself a favor and try this one, you won’t be disappointed!
Rating: 
Have you tried Founders Breakfast Stout? What did you think of it?
Posted in 5 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Bocks, Porters and Stouts
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March 8th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Wow, five stars!? I too think founders breakfast stout is absolutely delicious. It has a huge following around here. Now you have to seek out their kentucky breakfast stout!
I agree too that it is a simple beer that is well done. It’s probably my fav. founders brew.
nate´s last blog ..The Horror
March 8th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
This is a terrific beer and probably my favorite coffee stout (although those kids over at Southern Tier make a pretty good one, too). It has such a cozy, relaxing flavor.
I’m currently in love with Founders Old Curmudgeon Ale, which is aged in bourbon barrels. It’s a really delicious boozy treat, but probably not you’re kind of beer, Scott (a little too intense I’d bet). Point is these guys make great beer. I haven’t had a clunker from them yet.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
@Nate – That’s the one from Founders I’ve never seen out here. I’m looking though!
@Jim – you’re probably right, but I’d still give it at least one shot. I had one of these Breakfast Stouts last night – mmmmmmm. Good stuff. I might stock up on this one a bit in case supplies get scarce!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout
March 8th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Humph. Sounds delicious. And 5 stars. And I can’t get it! Fu@$*ng Mississippi River!
Don´s last blog ..Rogue Northwestern Ale: A One Trick Pony.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
@ Don, You know they have bridges and stuff to cross the Mississippi, right? Anyway, I’ll pick some up this week and send a couple to you in the beer shipment I keep promising and never deliver. You’ll be happy when they arrive!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Don, if Jim sends you some of these you’ll have to be nice to him for at least a week or so! This was an awesome beer!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Southern Tier Porter
March 9th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Scott. Looks like you found the worlds best oatmeal stout before I did. Congrats buddy. Oh and BTW, the beer review Notes book came last night. Very cool. Thanks.
Don´s last blog ..Rogue Northwestern Ale: A One Trick Pony.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Yummy Beer! BTW, The KBS hits stores today in NJ!
Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, round 2
March 9th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
@ Peter – Guess I know where I’m stopping after work today! Can’t wait for Kentucky Bourbon Stout! I’ll flight it with Weyerbacher Heresy perhaps…
March 9th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
@Jim, I don’t know if Boonton has it. I’m getting it else where.
Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, round 2
March 9th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
@Don – glad to hear it. Impressive that it got there so quickly! This was just an all ’round great beer to me.
@SimplyBeer – Thanks for the intel! I have a couple of decent places by me that I’ll check this weekend for it.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Tasting Notes
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:08 am
[...] some good things about this oatmeal stout, and I’m hoping to compare it to the bottles of Founders Breakfast Stout and River Horse Oatmeal Stout that I’ve enjoyed recently. Maybe it will become another [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Just had this for the first time this past weekend. Completely spot-on with this review–such a good oatmeal stout!
March 29th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Thanks Charlotte! Glad you liked the beer (and the review!)
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Aprihop – Dogfish Head Brewery Spring IPA
April 14th, 2010 at 9:01 am
[...] do you think? Does Samuel Smith make the best Oatmeal Stout? I also enjoyed the Founders Breakfast Stout which was a stronger, more flavorful version. Its just a style I really enjoy! Related PostsNew [...]