Let’s get something straight: I’m not cheap. If price were the only determinant in my beer drinking selections, I’d buy Natural Light, save a lot of money, and call it a day. Luckily, though, price is not the only factor that goes into my beer drinking choices. Obviously, I want flavor, too.

Still, I do look for value in a beer. If two brewers offer similar beers in the same style for different prices, I’d be a fool not to prefer the one at the lower price, wouldn’t I? Value, then, is very important to me as a beer drinker. I pay for all of my beer, and I want my money’s worth, plain and simple. I’ll tell you what, though. I certainly get that in each and every bottle of Founders Imperial Stout.

I am partial to Imperial Stouts, and Founders has a winner on their hands with this one. Founders says this about the beer on their website:

Brewed with ten varieties of malted barley, this stout is smooth as silk, yet complex and rich in body. Serve this guy at cellar temperature. Put another log on the fire, sit back and enjoy the friendship of this ultimate winter warmer.

Back to the value piece. I paid $10.99 for a four-pack of Founders Imperial Stout, and in this case, it’s worth it. I still think they could have tossed us a few more bottles and made it six, and the beer will lose ½ star for that. After all, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is just as good, and only $7.99 a 4-pack.

Founders Imperial Stout boasts an impressive 90 IBUs and 10.5% alcohol by volume. My bottle was packaged on 2/18/13. Making the beer over a year old. Certainly, though, this is one that you can store.

Founders Imperial Stout pours to a jet black color with a moderate head of creamy tan foam and a truly seductive nose of caramel and licorice. Taking a sip, I’m immediately impressed by the full luxurious texture of this beer as it slides over the tongue. Smooth and viscous, like motor oil I suppose, if one was inclined to imbibe motor oil. Unlike motor oil, Founders Imperial Stout is packed with flavor, undertones of caramel, stronger notes of roasty espresso, black licorice, smooth creamy chocolate, dark roasted malts, and an intense roasty bitterness in the finish, gently accented with light grassy hop aroma and bitterness. Absolutely wonderful, folks, an imperial stout for the ages, and deserved of being aged. Beer legend Michael Jackson would have recommended this one with a book at bedtime, I think.

One of those rare beers worth the high price, though I’ll still knock off a half star for it.

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