Beer Review: Founders Imperial Stout (2012)

Reviewing a fresh Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Company. I had a year old bottle a few weeks ago that I reviewed.
Score: 98

January 2012 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass in January 2012.

Appearance: Similar appearance to the year old version. Pitch black and opaque with slight ruby highlights at the top of the glass. Pours a half finger of dark chocolate colored, creamy head that settles into a ring around the glass and thin lace across the top of the beer. This is how I love my stouts to look. Pretty solid lacing on the side of the glass too, especially for a 10.5% ABV stout. 4.5/5

Smell: A lot more roasted coffee flavors than the year old version, with a very light anise flavor. Lots of roasted chocolate and milky coffee creamer . There's some leather in the nose too. Booziness is slightly more apparent than the year old version. Burnt malts too. The aroma is absolutely divine. 5/5

Taste: Tons of roasted coffee, leather and raw chocolate upfront. The coffee flavors is infinitely more apparent in the fresh bottle than it was in the year old bottle. Burnt chocolate and raw coffee beans too. Bitter coffee grounds on the mid-palate. Bitter, unsweetened chocolate and roasted malts and coffee in the finish. Not a lot of dark fruit here compared to the year old bottle, which seems a little odd. Definitely tastes "fresher," and still lingers well. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Still medium-plus bodied with more carbonation than the year old version. The coffee characteristics of the beer really add some perk to the beer. Foamy saliva-inducing mouthfeel and very thick (though not overly heavy). Finishes bitter and slightly acidic. 5/5

Overall: I enjoyed the year old version of this I had recently, but the fresh version is an absolute home run. This stuff tends to sell quick, and was released in IL and WI this week, so snatch up a four pack if you see it before it's gone for another year. Founders proves once again they are one of the best breweries in America.

Recommendation: A must try Russian Imperial Stout.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $15.99 for a four pack.