Appearance

The Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout comes in a short stubby bottle, with the front label displaying a Mounted Police Officer on a horse. The colors on the label are washed out seemingly to imitate an old label. The beer itself pours very dark, and thick.

Aroma

The aroma is very bourbon forward which gives way to toasted maple syrup underneath, along with vanilla.

Flavor

The flavor profile is very bourbon forward, and brings with it vanilla, bitter espresso and sweet maple syrup. As the CBS warms up, there is a big chocolate flavor that almost overwhelms the palate with intensity.

Balance

The bourbon character initially overwhelms most of the flavors, but once my palate adjusts, each note shows up at the end of the sip. The balance improves to average once the beer warms up.

Finish

Each sip finishes with bitter espresso, cloying bourbon sweetness and short tannins at the end.

Overall

I found the Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout to be an overall enjoyable beer. The bourbon and high alcohol content results in an average balance, and tends to take away from the maple syrup notes.

John McTavish

SCORE

7.25

Cost/Point

$1.30

Scoring System

Personal Beer Review: Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS)