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Breakfast Stout
Founders Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Oatmeal Stout
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 8.3%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #150 - Avg:
- 4.51 | pDev: 9.09%
- Reviews:
- 4,141
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 11, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 27, 2003
- Wants:
- 2,047
- Gots:
- 6,971
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class


Notes:
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.
60 IBU
60 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by mpruden from Ohio
4.75/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12-oz bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: Very dark brown, nearly black, with a dark tan head so thick that it required multiple gradual pourings to prevent overflowing the glass. Moderate lacing.
Nose: Dark roast, stone fruit, brown sugar, coffee — there’s a lot going on here.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, moderately thick.
Attack: Dark roast, coffee, chocolate, smooth — plenty going on here, too.
Finish: Alcohol, and bitterness from the dark roast that balances everything wonderfully.
Overall: It’s hard to imagine how an American Oatmeal Stout could be any better than this — so full, smooth, and well-balanced. There’s nothing I’d rather drink with Biscuits and Gravy, but it’s also going very well this morning with goetta and scrambled eggs. This beer deserves every bit of its high ratings.
Apr 29, 2023Appearance: Very dark brown, nearly black, with a dark tan head so thick that it required multiple gradual pourings to prevent overflowing the glass. Moderate lacing.
Nose: Dark roast, stone fruit, brown sugar, coffee — there’s a lot going on here.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, moderately thick.
Attack: Dark roast, coffee, chocolate, smooth — plenty going on here, too.
Finish: Alcohol, and bitterness from the dark roast that balances everything wonderfully.
Overall: It’s hard to imagine how an American Oatmeal Stout could be any better than this — so full, smooth, and well-balanced. There’s nothing I’d rather drink with Biscuits and Gravy, but it’s also going very well this morning with goetta and scrambled eggs. This beer deserves every bit of its high ratings.
Reviewed by NorsemanOne from Utah
4.39/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a nonic glass at about fridge temp, but letting warm up.
Pours dark black with a tall almost gusher tan head. 4
Aroma is big and strong, roasty coffee and a touch of sweetness. 4.25
Again, strong and just bitter enough black coffee, some dark and roasty malts and lingering slightly bitter finish. 4.5
Smooth body and very easily drinkable for the higher abv, no sign of booze or burn, but a bit warming in the chest as I keep sipping. 4.25
Apr 26, 2023Pours dark black with a tall almost gusher tan head. 4
Aroma is big and strong, roasty coffee and a touch of sweetness. 4.25
Again, strong and just bitter enough black coffee, some dark and roasty malts and lingering slightly bitter finish. 4.5
Smooth body and very easily drinkable for the higher abv, no sign of booze or burn, but a bit warming in the chest as I keep sipping. 4.25
Reviewed by Chewbakkaz from Florida
5/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is the real deal. The reviews are on point. This is 100% 5 stars all around wow! This is the best old school hot cocoa you had out of a pan, but cooler temperature and for adults. It’s an experience in a bottle, a must try!
Apr 09, 2023Rated by calvin_os from Colorado
4.67/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.67/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Mocha madness in the morning!
Apr 05, 2023Reviewed by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia
4.38/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours pitch black with a dense brown head
S: Fresh ground coffee beans, cocoa
T: Strong black coffee, dark chocolate, char
F: Full bodied, creamy, smooth, dry finish
O: Would be great paired with a classic American breakfast
Apr 02, 2023S: Fresh ground coffee beans, cocoa
T: Strong black coffee, dark chocolate, char
F: Full bodied, creamy, smooth, dry finish
O: Would be great paired with a classic American breakfast
Reviewed by travis1108 from Missouri
4.71/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
My favorite founders. Goes down smooth with just a hint of warmth (alcohol) on the finish. Rich dark and chocolatey. Really easy to overindulge on this one!
Mar 13, 2023Reviewed by kflorence from Texas
4.84/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.84/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pours an opaque black with a creamy finger thick light brown head which lasts for quite some time. Plenty of lacing as you drink. Carbonation looks average and more on the sudsy side with smaller bubbles (my fav). With a little bit more head retention this would be perfect. It's a beautiful beer on the pour.
Lots of coffee and cacao on the nose with a hint of brown sugar and an excellent floral hop background. A touch of alcohol as well. Excellent.
Taste is very in line with the aroma. Lots of burnt malts, espresso and cacao up front with spicy, floral and pine hoppiness coming through as it sits on the tongue. Bitter toasted cacao nibs after the swallow, along with some burnt oak notes. Very rich and ultimately bitter but with subtle sweetness to balance it out. Love the hop presence which makes itself known but kind of stays out of the way. A true pleasure.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of body. Very creamy and smooth with subtle carbonation. Highly drinkable at 8.3% ABV. A bit of a tongue coater with a little bit if a syrupy feel after the swallow which I think is spot on for the style.
I love a good oatmeal stout and this is one of the best I've ever had, right up there with Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout. I'd have to do another review of both side by side to truly compare as I originally reviewed that one quite a long time ago. Needless to say, this is a pleasure to drink and a must have if you're a fan of the style. Surprised it took me so long. Cheers!
Mar 09, 2023Lots of coffee and cacao on the nose with a hint of brown sugar and an excellent floral hop background. A touch of alcohol as well. Excellent.
Taste is very in line with the aroma. Lots of burnt malts, espresso and cacao up front with spicy, floral and pine hoppiness coming through as it sits on the tongue. Bitter toasted cacao nibs after the swallow, along with some burnt oak notes. Very rich and ultimately bitter but with subtle sweetness to balance it out. Love the hop presence which makes itself known but kind of stays out of the way. A true pleasure.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of body. Very creamy and smooth with subtle carbonation. Highly drinkable at 8.3% ABV. A bit of a tongue coater with a little bit if a syrupy feel after the swallow which I think is spot on for the style.
I love a good oatmeal stout and this is one of the best I've ever had, right up there with Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout. I'd have to do another review of both side by side to truly compare as I originally reviewed that one quite a long time ago. Needless to say, this is a pleasure to drink and a must have if you're a fan of the style. Surprised it took me so long. Cheers!
Rated by SoundMakesSense from Indiana
5/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
What can I say that others haven't? It's a masterpiece.
Mar 05, 2023Reviewed by thedad57
4.86/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.86/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
This is one of my favorite beers. Everything from the time it’s poured to the last drink, this beer only gets better. Mouth feel, poured head (great color), nose, color are all exactly what a fella wants from a stout. I was also pleasantly surprised to find this beer at Saltgrass Steakhouses!
Feb 21, 2023Reviewed by Martin194 from Iowa
4.46/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: Opaque black with a light brown head.
Smell: Dark chocolate, coffee, maybe some brown sugar? Lots of bitter and sweet.
Taste: Follows smell, leans toward the bitter side; espresso and earthy hops alongside the sweeter undertones.
Feel: Medium full body, normal carbonation, leaves a dry, bitter mouthfeel.
Overall: Excellent stout!
Feb 05, 2023Smell: Dark chocolate, coffee, maybe some brown sugar? Lots of bitter and sweet.
Taste: Follows smell, leans toward the bitter side; espresso and earthy hops alongside the sweeter undertones.
Feel: Medium full body, normal carbonation, leaves a dry, bitter mouthfeel.
Overall: Excellent stout!
Rated by jbolger from Connecticut
4.54/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.54/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
1/23/23 This could be the perfect stout. Chocolate, espresso, malt & hops in perfect harmony. Delicious.
Jan 24, 2023Reviewed by pulse from Ohio
4.24/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Quite black with a short, tan head. Small amount lingering. Very roasty aroma with scents of coffee and chocolate. Taste is rich, a blend of coffee and chocolate. Pleasant bitterness, fullness. Small amount of sweetness. Very smooth, silken, delicious. Could be breakfast, could be dessert. Both would be great. It is reminiscent of a coffee drink, like a mochachino or whatever the right goofy name is. It is strong and toasty, almost burned. Mild to modernate carbonation, very well-balanced.
This was a 4-pack gift for Christmas. I always meant to pick this one up, since it's very affordable for the quality, but never found the time. It's a Founders stout, so you know what you're getting.
Jan 13, 2023This was a 4-pack gift for Christmas. I always meant to pick this one up, since it's very affordable for the quality, but never found the time. It's a Founders stout, so you know what you're getting.
Reviewed by TooManyGlasses from Canada (AB)
4.34/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Not sure how I have not reviewed this before - had many times and always a treat.
Pours clear black with slight reddish highlights and two fingers of mocha head.
Aroma of roast coffee, dark chocolate, chocolate cake.
Tastes of espresso - slightly bitter coffee, dark chocolate, hint of vanilla, a bit of earthy hops.
Smooth full mouthfeel with a lingering bittersweet finish. Simple and superb.
Jan 02, 2023Pours clear black with slight reddish highlights and two fingers of mocha head.
Aroma of roast coffee, dark chocolate, chocolate cake.
Tastes of espresso - slightly bitter coffee, dark chocolate, hint of vanilla, a bit of earthy hops.
Smooth full mouthfeel with a lingering bittersweet finish. Simple and superb.
Reviewed by thin_mint from Ohio
4.74/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.74/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Look: near black with a nice tan head.
Smell: dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Smells like dessert!
Taste: much like the smell - bitter dark chocolate with a nice mocha finish. Hops are present and well balanced with the other flavors.
Feel: smooth, creamy, rich. Really nice balance with the carbonation.
Overall: this is a great example of an oatmeal stout. Smooth, roasty, chocolaty. Like a high powered cold brew mocha tempered with the smooth creaminess of oats. Fairly moderate alcohol content, but its really well hidden. I don't know about breakfast, but this is a perfect dessert.
Dec 26, 2022Look: near black with a nice tan head.
Smell: dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Smells like dessert!
Taste: much like the smell - bitter dark chocolate with a nice mocha finish. Hops are present and well balanced with the other flavors.
Feel: smooth, creamy, rich. Really nice balance with the carbonation.
Overall: this is a great example of an oatmeal stout. Smooth, roasty, chocolaty. Like a high powered cold brew mocha tempered with the smooth creaminess of oats. Fairly moderate alcohol content, but its really well hidden. I don't know about breakfast, but this is a perfect dessert.
Reviewed by Neelbeer from New York
4.35/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look: very black, sizable head, recedes slowly (regenerates a little with swirling)
Smell: This is my second bottle (not in one day); milk and coffee, but for some reason this second 12 oz bottle has a definite olive smell to me (is it an off flavor from the coffee or from malt? not sure); slightly sweet chocolate, burnt smores
Taste: More bitterness than you'd expect (mine was bottled two weeks ago); expresso and cappuccino, chocolate, bonfire, finishes bittersweet; I do get that strange olive thing (tried it the next day, seems to have been a fluke); toasted oats, delicious milky froth
Feel: Creamy, but I like it even thicker; it's kind of a coffee stout/ oatmeal stout cross
Overall: It's quite delicious, though I think I was expecting something smoother. Don't drink on an empty stomach; the alcohol really creeps up on you! Great with dessert, like fried bananas
Dec 22, 2022Smell: This is my second bottle (not in one day); milk and coffee, but for some reason this second 12 oz bottle has a definite olive smell to me (is it an off flavor from the coffee or from malt? not sure); slightly sweet chocolate, burnt smores
Taste: More bitterness than you'd expect (mine was bottled two weeks ago); expresso and cappuccino, chocolate, bonfire, finishes bittersweet; I do get that strange olive thing (tried it the next day, seems to have been a fluke); toasted oats, delicious milky froth
Feel: Creamy, but I like it even thicker; it's kind of a coffee stout/ oatmeal stout cross
Overall: It's quite delicious, though I think I was expecting something smoother. Don't drink on an empty stomach; the alcohol really creeps up on you! Great with dessert, like fried bananas
Reviewed by dano213 from Pennsylvania
4.4/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle purchased off the shelf from my local grocery store as a single for $2.99. Bottled on 09.15.22, so this is just over three months old.
Look: Pours a rich, very dark brown bordering on black. There is a nice light brown colored head with very fine bubbles that is about an eight of a finger tall. The head regenerates nicely after swirling the glass. It looks very nice.
Smell: The aromas of this beer are laden with chocolate and coffee. It's all the spectrums of chocolate - from lighter cocoa powder to rich, dark baker's chocolate. And there's a constant coffee note that expresses a bit of sweetness as well as a bit of fruity acidity. Some earthy hop notes after swirling the glass. I feel like there are some subtle dark fruit aromas like dark dried cherries that are trying to make their way through the mocha madness. Smells very nice.
Taste: It's really delicious. Very drinkable also. The taste basically mirrors the nose. Up front, it's rich chocolate and coffee that have some sweetness but are overall dry. The finish is dry with bitter, astringent coffee roast along with bitter chocolate malts and roasted barley malts. The finish lingers long. Even though this beer is very dark and bitter, it drinks like a dessert within a glass. I also like that there is some hop expression in this oatmeal stout, but not so much that the beer would be considered "hoppy."
Feel: The mouthfeel is nice, it has a smooth, velvety, silky texture. It's medium to full bodied. Soft, gentle carbonation at just the right level.
Overall: It's hard to believe that I have never had this before. Of course, I have had Founder's KBS before yet I guess that I had not been aware of nearly as much hype around this beer. It's a really delicious, drinkable oatmeal stout with tons of chocolate and coffee flavor. It's not sweet, yet could skip dessert and just drink this beer because it's deliciously full, rich, and decadent.
Dec 21, 2022Look: Pours a rich, very dark brown bordering on black. There is a nice light brown colored head with very fine bubbles that is about an eight of a finger tall. The head regenerates nicely after swirling the glass. It looks very nice.
Smell: The aromas of this beer are laden with chocolate and coffee. It's all the spectrums of chocolate - from lighter cocoa powder to rich, dark baker's chocolate. And there's a constant coffee note that expresses a bit of sweetness as well as a bit of fruity acidity. Some earthy hop notes after swirling the glass. I feel like there are some subtle dark fruit aromas like dark dried cherries that are trying to make their way through the mocha madness. Smells very nice.
Taste: It's really delicious. Very drinkable also. The taste basically mirrors the nose. Up front, it's rich chocolate and coffee that have some sweetness but are overall dry. The finish is dry with bitter, astringent coffee roast along with bitter chocolate malts and roasted barley malts. The finish lingers long. Even though this beer is very dark and bitter, it drinks like a dessert within a glass. I also like that there is some hop expression in this oatmeal stout, but not so much that the beer would be considered "hoppy."
Feel: The mouthfeel is nice, it has a smooth, velvety, silky texture. It's medium to full bodied. Soft, gentle carbonation at just the right level.
Overall: It's hard to believe that I have never had this before. Of course, I have had Founder's KBS before yet I guess that I had not been aware of nearly as much hype around this beer. It's a really delicious, drinkable oatmeal stout with tons of chocolate and coffee flavor. It's not sweet, yet could skip dessert and just drink this beer because it's deliciously full, rich, and decadent.
Breakfast Stout from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
17908 ratings
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