Founders Breakfast Stout - Needs time ?

I've been drinking through a case for a year now (just traded the last of it) and found that I, personally, enjoy it with about 2-3 months on it. To me, it knocks the edge off the coffee and brings out a softer mouthfeel. Donco is right, if you like a pronounced coffee taste, drink it fresh. I'm actually looking forward to having some fresh for a change. All personal preference. Enjoy!

 

I'm currently drinking the rest of two 4 packs of '13 FBS and the coffee is still very strong in it. I can't agree with those that think the coffee falls off completely over the course of 2-3 months. Hell, even over a year old. I will say that last year I remember it being a huge coffee bomb as well for a while and it did mellow some, more like balance out. The '13 is tasting great and the flavors are well integrated.

I have yet to buy '14 but it is on the shelves. Will be picking some up soon.

 

Fresh! If you don't want the coffee, lay off for a few months but you'll be missing out on the point of the beer!!

 

Yeah, I had two this weekend. Was drinkable but nothing compared to fresh. Gave the rest of my 2013's to my friend who is unaware of how it tastes rather fresh.

 

Yeah I enjoy the changes and while it is not the same as fresh, it's is most certainly not coffee free. Coffee is still present.

 

I prefer this fresh. The brewery suggests that it should be consumed within six months.

 

Put in the fresh column, but if you don't like coffee I understand why you would prefer it with a 8-12 month.

 

Begs the question of why buy a coffee stout though, I think

 

I totally noticed a difference between this year and last year. Last year it was heaven, tons of chocolate and coffee. However, the 2014 is pretty bad. I wish I could taste some coffee, or chocolate... but all I taste is alcohol. I'm going to let them sit for a few weeks and see what happens.

 

I understand aging the beer if you don't like coffee but I do not understanding buying a coffee stout just to age the coffee out of it. There are plenty of coffee-less stouts out there and readily available, why not start out in the direction you desire to begin with.

I will say, it is not about the coffee flavor, it is about the intensity and quality of the flavor. It is a shame to waste all that fantastic flavor.

People bitched about the 2013 batch the same way they are bitching about the 2014. They bitched about the 2012 the same as the 2013. And so on and so on.

 

i have similar experiences. i like to let it sit for a month or two max for the coffee to settle in so that i can get the chocolate to come through.

On a side not i've been saving FBS for two years now and will do a 3 year vertical when i pick up a fresh 4-pack

 

I will chalk it up to having had a pour of bourbon before this and it being late, and maybe an impurity in my glass (?), but I'm not getting any chocolate or oatmeal on my first bottle of FBS of 2014 (bottled 9/8). I've also been slow to get over a cold (or maybe it's Ebola) the past week, though I can smell and taste normally now, I think.

The nose is close to what I remember. The taste is vastly more bitter than I remember from last year - much stout hops and coffee, minimal chocolate and oatmeal. The taste almost reminds me of Storm King, though to be fair, I haven't had SK in a couple years. So maybe I'm crazy, but I prefer this beer with a better balance of sweet and bitter.

I've had at least a four pack of FBS for the past 4-5 years (can't remember exactly when I first saw it in So Ill) and loved it every year. This is the first time I've poured one and been disappointed. I'll try it again Friday morning with a fresh palate.

 

It tastes a bit metallic to me right now, I don't know if it's a bad case or if it's just an odd intermingling point for the coffee, but it's a bit off putting. Still a fantastic beer, but it's not quite what I remember.

 

It tastes great both ways. Lay a single down and do a side by side later... two different great beers.