Blasted for Breakfast

The other night I decided to dive into higher ABV beers, starting with the savory Founders Breakfast Stout. Thick, creamy, with a great coffee note and enough alcohol burn to remind you that you're drinking an 8.7 ABV beer, this is not for the feint of heart. I was mainly drinking such a high ABV because I'm trying to shed a few pounds and I figure if I can get blotto on fewer beers, I'll drink fewer beers. Perhaps I am gay. One Breakfast Stout is almost as much alcohol as three Miller Lites, and I'd bet it's fewer than twice the calories. Plus, Miller Lite sucks. Not as much as Bud Light, but enough about that.

The first stout went down like a good date and I don't know if it was a light dinner or what, but I could feel it. Oh sweet comfort coursing through my veins. I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of oatmeal and mocha - this beer could use a side of bacon! Is there a bacon-infused beer out there? Google tells me Brooklyn Brewery has one - something to look for the next time I hit an overly stocked bottle shop. But with no bacon beer in sight it was another round of Breakfast for me!

The second pint was still thoroughly enjoyable, but it was a slow-moving pint. It's a heavy beer that does not lend itself to quick drinking. I think it would be hard to stick with these for a long session without switching it up. So switch it up I did.

Meet Founders Maple Mountain Strong Ale. Sweet, sweet, sweet. Some people had a problem with this, but not me. Although I did only make it through two 9-oz glasses. The maple flavor comes through loud and clear and the monstrous 11 ABV is well-hidden. I believe this would be a good choice when you need someone to drink till you're pretty, because it was a popular drink with the ladies in my entourage. Especially Girlfriend vs. Beer, who I believe stuck with these all night long. 'Atta girl!

Ever since my PEI trip I've been thinking a lot on the delightful beer mixes they were inventing, and this inspired me to create something beautiful: The Maple Breakfast. I ordered a concoction of 3/4 breakfast stout and 1/4 Maple Mountain. A major win. The maple cuts the coffee flavor, injecting some sweetness into the brew and making it possibly a bit more session-friendly. I say possibly, because by this point I've already had four high ABV beers by this point, five after the mix, and I had to tap out. Boo midweek drinking. But give the Maple Breakfast a try and let me know what you think.