Bombastic Brewing - Waddle Breakfast Stout

Bombastic Brewing’s Waddle is a bold, dessert-inspired imperial stout brewed with maple syrup and cold brew coffee, designed to showcase richness without sacrificing balance. Built on a deeply roasted malt base, it leans into indulgence with layers of sweetness and roast working in tandem rather than competing. The addition of maple syrup brings a smooth, natural sweetness, while cold brew coffee provides structure and a firm roasted backbone. Despite its size, Waddle is crafted to be surprisingly approachable, with a silky, full-bodied profile that remains drinkable throughout.

Waddle pours jet black with a dense mocha head and strong retention. Aromas of fresh espresso, dark chocolate, and maple syrup rise immediately, supported by hints of caramelized sugar and light smokiness. The palate follows with bold coffee and bittersweet cocoa at the forefront, balanced by a restrained maple sweetness that never overwhelms. Subtle notes of cinnamon, dried fruit, and toasted sugar emerge as it warms, adding depth and complexity.

The mouthfeel is velvety and full, with low carbonation and a warming finish that carries lingering espresso, chocolate, and a touch of sweetness. Reviews consistently highlight its “silky” body and strong coffee-maple profile, with high ratings around the 4.0+ range.

Waddle can age for up to two years, allowing its flavors to further integrate. Pair with chocolate desserts, tiramisu, or brownies to echo its richness, or go savory with smoked meats, barbecue, or maple-glazed bacon.

Bombastic Brewing was founded in Idaho in 2016 by Russell Mann, who was inspired by the scale of Sierra Nevada, the innovative breweryless nomadic model of Mikkeller, and the entrepreneurial spirit of early Sam Adams. After selling his retail beer business, Russell set out to build a different kind of craft brewery based on a unique partner brewing model in which Bombastic would partner with established breweries to produce Bombastic’s beers at scale.

With state legal hurdles putting the partner model on hold, Russell was joined by two co-founders who started Bombastic quite small—essentially as a nanobrewery—brewing on a 30, then 50-gallon system in a garage near the airport. Each Saturday, the garage doors rolled open, welcoming adventurous beer lovers who eagerly bought up every release. It was the beginning of something special.

While partner brewing was always the goal, early legal restrictions made the model impossible in Idaho. Russell joined the state brewers’ guild, Idaho Brewers United, and began working on the legislative front. After years of advocacy and testimony before the Idaho House of Representatives, Partner Brewing was finally legalized. On July 1st, 2019, the law took effect—and Bombastic’s first batch from their first brewing partner, Sawtooth, arrived that very day. At this point, Bombastic was still entirely self-distributed to bars, restaurants, and retailers.

Bombastic formed its first distribution partnership with Golden Beverage in Utah in 2020. This marked a new era, and additional partnerships in Idaho, Montana, and Washington followed, allowing Bombastic beers to reach even more craft beer enthusiasts across the region.

In 2023, as two of the original founders moved on to new endeavors, Russell continued to lead Bombastic Brewing, transforming it into a true family business. He was joined by his wife Sarah, son Isaac, and mother-in-law Carole, forming a tight-knit team dedicated to growth and innovation. In October, Bombastic expanded distribution into Nevada, fueled by a strong team, standout recipes, and a continued passion for craft beer.

Both fans and professional judges have embraced the bold, flavorful beers that Bombastic is known for. The brewery has racked up numerous medals over the years, including four at the North American Beer Awards in 2024 alone:

Chatter (Mexican Lager) – Gold
Shiver (Coffee Stout) – Silver
Murder (Mexican Chocolate Imp. Stout) – Bronze
Psychopomp (Maple Bourbon Barrel Coffee Imp. Stout) – Bronze

Bombastic reached a major milestone in 2024 when they joined up with their first out-of-state brewery partner, Lewis & Clark Brewing in Helena, Montana, to produce Bombastic’s first out-of-state beer. The Montana version of Shiver Stout featured all local ingredients, including coffee from Montana Coffee Traders, and marked Bombastic’s debut in shorty cans.

Bombastic also launched in Oregon with Day One Distribution in Portland, offering quarterly special order drops to fans in the Beaver State.

Meanwhile, as Bombastic’s primary brewing partner began collaborating with others (mirroring Bombastic’s own model), the brewery took the opportunity to open relationships with new brewing partners, expanding reach and increasing production capacity for this unique regional brewing company.

Bombastic Brewing’s journey has always been about bold ideas, high-quality beer, and community. With new states, new brews, and new fans joining the Bombastic family, the future is brighter than ever.