Chicagoist's Beer of the Week: Founders' 'Breakfast Stout'

By Jason Baldacci in Food on Nov 24, 2012 4:00PM

Now that the temperature has dropped into the 30s, we're sure everyone out there could use something to take the edge off.

Our recommendation is the 'Breakfast Stout' from Founders Brewing Co. The label on the 'Breakfast Stout' states that it's a "Double Chocolate, Coffee, Oatmeal Stout," and we think it's safe to say that all three of those things come across on the palate. The beauty of the beer, though, is how well all three of those things are balanced against each other, and how they seem to line up on your taste buds perfectly in order from sweet to bitter. The sweet oats hit right up front, and lend a softness to the beer that primes us for what's next. The bittersweet chocolate dominates the mid-palate, and offers up a full-bodied, velvety chewiness which leads to a lingering finish of pleasantly bitter, roasty coffee that tangos dangerously with the dark malts in the beer. At 8.3% alcohol content, in addition to all of those extra ingredients, this is one hearty brew. It's robust, it's bold, and it could be a meal all on its own, or at least one course of a meal. There's very little hop flavor to note, but we know that there are plenty of hops underneath the surface, because a beer this big wouldn't taste balanced without them.

When it comes to pairing food with the 'Breakfast Stout,' your best bet might be to take the advice of the label. We could see this being wonderful with brunch, either right next to a cup of coffee, or in place of one. While it could definitely work with dinner, you'll want to make sure you're pairing wisely. The beer will definitely overpower your leftover turkey, unless you smoked and brined your bird first. Red meat would be more suitable, but be sure to mind the coffee in the beer when choosing your seasonings. Nothing too spicy—smokiness and black pepper would be more appropriate.

Try the 'Breakfast Stout' on tap this weekend at Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park, or in 12 oz. bottles at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square.