Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)

Brewed by Founders Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Serve in Snifter

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

UPDATED: MAY 22, 2007 2005 draught XBF05.
Dark black, mostly likely opaque body with a surprisingly decent-sized head for a barrel-aged beer. Sharp notes of brandy soaked prunes, Spanish coffee, Irish coffee, vanilla blossoms. Pretty interesting aroma, all told. Flavor has some sharp alcohol notes, syrupy bourbon, light bakers chocolate and plenty of harsh dryness on the finish. Medium-full flavor, but a bit loose in texture. I keep finding some out-of place syrupiness. And what I loved about the Breakfast stout (lack of astringency and acid/alcohol) really seems to be a problem here. Sharp, bitter and too alcoholic. 7/4/6/3/12
Draught at Redbones, 8/6/06
Stuff only lasted 2 days and I can see why. First sip cold actually produces a perfect breakfast stout flavor up front, with chocolate and lightly dry roastiness following. The bourbon comes on the end, and is at first, quite sharp and apparent, with harsh tannins and vinousness. However, that was only the first sip or two. As it warmed, it actually got to the point where it was only minimally noticeable. Just adding some dryness and another layer of complexity. In short, another one of the few times I’ve had a barrel aged stout done correctly and not dominated by it. Very slick, lightly chewy body on draught with near-perfect carbonation levels. Some vanilla and coffee, with some warm bourbon notes trail off very pleasantly. 7/3/8/5/16.
Draught at Redbones on 5/4/07
Hmm, not that this was overly bourbony this time, nor was it too hoppy or messy. But this time, it actually seemed a little bit muted/dull what have you. Somewhat chalky and very roasty, but the brilliant sweetness matched with juicy, fresh hops seems to be gone this year. I’m still impressed that it’s not overdone, but it didnt seem to have much character this batch. Lots of dry chocolate, heavy, dullish roast and probably a lot of neutral barrel tannin accounting for the more lackluster feel/flavor/aroma this time around. Bound to happen as the barrels get used. Score is a rough average of my 3 experiences with it thus far.

I had a vertical of this in late April. The older ones have gone a little stale. The most recent Pours a pitch black with a lot of bourbon, vanilla and coffee in the nose with similar flavors on the taste with some chocolate added in. I love this beer and I want more of it.

Dark pour with a big espresso head. Creamy mouth with big roast notes. Bourbon is very pronounced. Vanilla and hints of warmth in this. Very boozy and lots of chocolate. Once of the finer Bourbon Barrel stouts I’ve had.

Bottle, aged 5 months. This is a very bourbon’ed beer. You’ll also find a big vanilla presence, delivered in a smooth, big bodied, and creamy-rich texture. Personally, I really enjoyed it, but I’m pretty sure it’s NOT a beer that most people would expect and be happy to drink past the first sip. It definitely has one foot past the line of what does and does not taste like beer. Instead tastes more like a southerner’s dessert liquor. It would have been nice to see the other flavors come out more, rather than sitting in the bourbon’s shadow. Next time I’ll age it the full year and see what happens.

On tap at the Glass Nickel during Craft Beer Week in Madison. Pours inky black, with a mocha-colored head that dissipates to spotty foam. Thick, luxurious lacing. Nose is a perfect melange of dark roasted coffee, chocolate, and sweet bourbon. Taste follows: big, big coffee, with more well-crafted barrel notes, both dark and milk chocolates. Prominent vanilla tones from the barrel. My first time trying it. Lived up to the hype.

A truly great stout! Thanks to my uncle for scoring me 10 bottles of this beautiful concoction. It reminds me of Central Waters Bourbon Barrel stout, with a little less vanilla touch to it, but a better mouthfeel and bourbon lingering to it. The complexity is amazing, I taste something new in it almost every taste as it slowly warms. Wow!

Poured a 2010 bottle into my bruery tulip. Dark black with a 1finger mocha head that dissipates quickly. Nice lacing that clings to the glass like its glue. Aroma is coffee malt and light bourbon. I thought coffee fades out of beers quickly, I guess the coffee in KBS doesn’t follow the rules. Man this beer tastes smooth, it follows the nose but is more balanced with a year on it, less hot and booze. I like it fresh but I love it with a year on it. Fantastic brew!

UPDATED: MAY 21, 2012 The hype that surrounds this brew does not equal up to my standards. Nonetheless it is a wonderful stout. If youre not a fan of bourbon good luck with falling in love with the KBS.The bourbon "smell" and the after taste are heavy. Because of that much of the other ingredients are weakened.

pours thick nearly black. whatever bourbon these barrels came from is some harsh stuff. this is very biting. i’ve had smoother shots.

Pours near solid black/brown. Small light brown head that gets to a ring. Smell is dominated by coffee grounds. Smells charred and roasty with a touch of malt sweetness. Taste is a mix of charred coffee, sweet malt, licorice and alcohol bite. Medium/ full body with light carbonation.

Pours thick and dark with a creamy head. Very boozy, strong caramel bourbon flavours.