Founders Russian Imperial Stout: How long?

Had last years a month ago and liked it more than when it was fresh, which was too hot for my palate. Never had it older beyond a year though. Can't see it get worse with age.

 

I think this beer is best fresh. No reason to wait any longer to drink your bottles.

 

I agree! Tastes great fresh!

I've never had an aged bottle before though.

 

I have bottles dated 12/29/11. I thought it damn good and just "boozy" enough when I drank one fresh. Having let it sit for a couple months now, there's less booze but it's absolutely delicious. I think you're probably OK either way, but if you like it boozy, drink it sooner rather than later.

Enjoy.

 

I have had bottles that were pre 2008, still had twist off caps. It ages very well. They were smoother and less bitter than when fresh, almost more like a milk chocolate than a dark chocolate taste. Either way they are great.

 

Someone shared an '09 with me at CBS release day, and I thought it was divine. FWIW though, I'm not a huge fan of it fresh. But after a couple years it was ridiculous.

 

I bought a case 2 years ago and am opening 2 each year for 12 years. I'll keep you updated.

 

This stuff is awesome fresh and aged. It changes a lot overtime once the hops fade. Since this one is brewed with about 10 different malts it keeps changing overtime. It's the only beer Founder's makes that can be aged that will get better with time. It becomes deadly smooth with a dark fruit flavor profile.

 

I have some bottles from 2003 and 2004 (first and second release). I opened one of the 2003's a little over a year ago and it was good, but pretty thin.

I like FIS a whole lot fresh, and even more so with 1-2 years on it.

 

I have just a couple bottles left dated 11/27/09 and last had one on Xmas Day.They are drinking very,very,nice.They hold up well.Although if I were to obtain more,I'd probably drink them sooner rather than later to enjoy that hoppy goodness.Maybe save one or two for the hell of it...1 of my all-time fav. stouts for sure.

Cheers All

 

Put me in the best fresh camp. A group of 5 of us shared a 3 year vertical of this not too long ago. We all thought that it was worse the older it got. Granted, all of them still tasted good. We just liked the freshest one the best. I was surprised it was unanimous since one of that group tends to prefer everything aged since he is not a huge fan of the taste of fresher hope flavors in beer.

 

I think it is MUCH better with some age on it. I have 2008 through now and can barely drink it fresh. A year or two on it makes a world of difference.

 

My exact reply. I don't touch it unless it has a year+ on it.