Founders Breakfast Stout- Latest batch... Thin and artificial tasting?

Dude, Hops fade quick when you bring them back from the future.

 

I've had a few bottles so far this year and I can't notice any differences. Great as always.

 

That very well may be the case. I'm not saying that '12 fresh is different than '11 fresh (I'm not that good), just that the year old '11 seemed to have more of the flavor that I enjoy. I daresay more overall flavor (except the burnt coffee). My wife and I both came to the same conclusions independently and blind.

 

After this post I'm trying to pick it a apart but I can't. I have different dates mixed in the same 4 pk, and they all taste the same. I had my last 11 this week, and blind I'm sure I couldn't tell you which was what. The power of suggestion can be strong though, but this is a great brew, and one I'd never even given a 2nd thought without the OP.

 

I've had two more that tasted as expected. What was up with the first? Bottle variation, shot palette from the scotch and wine I had beforehand, power of suggestion? dunno.

Just glad it was only that one.

 

Did a blind test of the 2011 vs. the 2012. I know the coffee would fade a bit on the 2011 after a year.

2012 was noticeably thinner and more one-dimensional. Still an excellent brew, but not at all as good as the 2011 batch.

 

No, no, no, no, no. Don't tell me that.

 

After testing/tasting three bottles of this years batch, what I can say is if you let it warm, it's exactly as I remember previous years. Awesome, and tasty. The first two I drank rather quick after pulling out of the fridge. The third sat out of the fridge for an hour, and immediately it was what I expected. Quality, coffee, chocolate, not thin, not overly thick, but, impressive.

 

I usually don't notice the difference between this years batch vs last years batch, of any beer. But..I think this years FBS (dated 8/15/12) has more coffee flavor and less chocolate. Still a great beer but just different. Maybe I'm just remembering last years wrong.

 

It tastes the same as last year's.

 

Same as last year over here. It's fantastic.

 

Clearly the OP just wants all FBS to him/herself...that's what Id do

 

I hadn't had a bottle for a few years and found this batch to be terribly harsh and full of clashing flavors. I remember it having some sweetness that was enjoyable and great chocolate and maple syrup notes. Probably more of a problem with me than the beer.

 

Just cracked open my first bottle last night, tasted just how I remember the '11. Not sure if there were batch variations or what's going on, but it does seem to be more subtle nuances if anything. I think it's delicious!

 

I had the batch bottled on 8/15 yesterday, it's definitely solid, but I personally wasn't as impressed as I was last year. Problem is, a year of beer drinking has gone by and my palate is a year older. Also, the first FBS I had last year was 5 days after bottling. I definitely recall a much more intense coffee flavor in last years' compared to this years'. I'm sure it's the same beer... Stranger things have happened though.

 

The bottles dated 9/4 I picked up tasted amazing.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. Maybe it's a little thinner, maybe it isn't. I can't tell. Know what? Stuff's delicious no matter what.

 

This is not a beer I'd expect to benefit from aging. I was convinced the 2012 was indeed the 2011 in my taste test, but it wasn't. I was sad.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

2011 was my favorite batch, but I'm totally out now. I'm sure hoping this isn't true as I was planning to pick up a 4 pack tomorrow.