Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

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5,032 Ratings

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rAvg: 4.64
pDev: 8.84%
Reviews: 2209
Hads: 2823

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Brewed by:
Founders Brewing Company

Michigan, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.20% ABV

Availability: Spring. bottle (1961), on-tap (230), nitro-tap (10), growler (7), cask (1).

Notes:
This stout is brewed with a hint of coffee and vanilla then aged in oak bourbon barrels for over a year.

Note, this is NOT simply barrel-aged Breakfast Stout. It is an entirely different beer.

Now labeled as "KBS."

View: Beers (65) | Reviews (220) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by doppelmeup:

doppelmeup

North Carolina

4.43/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

I am very excited to try this beer. Will it live up to the hype?

This pours very much like a cup of espresso into my snifter. The color of black coffee. No head at first, but with a vigorous swirl it slowly builds into about a quarter inch, then is gone, leaving just a thin layer floating on top. Bits of lace typical of an 11.2% beer cling to the sides.

The aroma is very interesting. Imagine a cup of black coffee with just a hint of Jim Beam lurking in the background. Some vanilla and a bit of milk chocolate round out the experience. It what I expected, but better. The bourbon notes don't overwhelm the senses, but compliment the other aromas.

The first flavor that hits the palate is a biting alcohol. It quickly gives way to full bodied coffee, then a slightly vanilla flavor. Quite a multi-dimensional feel. Many layers of flavor here. A chocolate flavor appears after swallowing the beer. Interesting how it hid out in the background then snuck up on my palate. This reminds me of a chocolate pecan pie made with bourbon.

The mouthfeel is wonderful. It is silky smooth. The oats give a very soft texture. Thick and chewy, yet light bodied at the same time. It leaves the palate quickly, but a luxurious coffee and chocolate flavor remain. Eventually, a slightly dry sensation takes over.

Overall, this is a fascinating beer. There are so many dimensions to the flavors and smells. Bourbon stouts are not my favorite style, however this is exceptionally done. It is quite expensive at about $5 a bottle, but I am glad I have tried this.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 02:02:59 | More by doppelmeup

More User Reviews:

msinger1002

Ohio

4.5/5 rDev -3%

05-21-2013 22:54:11 | More by msinger1002

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.91/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Was finally able to check out the bottle, and well-worth the wait (and hype!).

A= Pours a jet black color, with a one-finger, mocha colored head. Head is good and frothy, and settles down to nice layer of foam, with excellent lacing.

S= Immediately, dark chocolate and strong espresso. Notes of cherry, with underlying whiff of bourbon. Incredible.

T= Big, big chocolate notes. Espresso follows strongly, with notes of dark cherry, bourbon, and roasted malts. Just wonderful.

M= Great, molasses-like feel. Thicker than most stouts of tried, but not at all too heavy, despite of the high ABV. Flavor is excellently-layered on the palate.

O= Lives up to all the hype. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:38:33 | More by smooth_aleing

projektyle

New Hampshire

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 22:26:28 | More by projektyle

aleman39

California

4.25/5 rDev -8.4%

05-21-2013 21:16:43 | More by aleman39

VirginiaJeff1

Virginia

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 19:15:30 | More by VirginiaJeff1

Busker

Connecticut

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 17:55:26 | More by Busker

HarmonMW

Michigan

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 15:02:22 | More by HarmonMW

Tones24

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +2.4%

05-21-2013 14:07:24 | More by Tones24

PlinyBeMiney

California

2.5/5 rDev -46.1%

05-21-2013 06:53:39 | More by PlinyBeMiney

Andonato

Texas

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 06:26:18 | More by Andonato

nescientia

Oregon

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 04:21:42 | More by nescientia

ackeeper

Illinois

5/5 rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 01:57:21 | More by ackeeper

Jslay013

Massachusetts

3.5/5 rDev -24.6%

05-20-2013 21:32:47 | More by Jslay013

andant

New York

4.5/5 rDev -3%

05-20-2013 19:36:47 | More by andant

Dohtig

Maine

4.71/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

After missing out on this beer at the store and several local tap houses I caught it at the oldest beer bar in town. It was well worth tracking down and making the trip just for a glass. Very dark, served in a large tulip glass the aromas shifted from a hint of bourbon to chocolate. A smooth full body mouthfull. There where so many flavors coming accross that it took a long time to get through them all. It reminded me of the scene from Charlie and the Chocolate factory where the girl takes the gum and new flavors come to her as she chews. This beer was like that, every sip brought a new flavor and insight. When this gets bottled again I won't be missing out. It is well worth hunting for.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 07:13:01 | More by Dohtig