Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

semihobo

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up one bottle of KBS in March for $6.49 (I believe this is currently a personal $ per oz record, unfortunately), drinking it now for no particular reason. 12 ozer in a chalice.

Very little head that quickly subsides to nothing. Black, black, black. No "ruby highlights" or anything, just black. Cool wild west medicine-style label design.

Smells of cocoa and cold-brewed coffee. Bourbon smell is subdued, beautifully smoky and peaty. No smell of alcohol.

Surprisingly smooth. Chocolate and coffee are understated, nothing too over the top or one-note. More like very strong coffee than the char you see in many imperial stouts. The bourbon emerges toward the finish and is gently smoky. Some vanilla phenols go well with cocoa. These have to be the least-noticed 70 IBUs ever. They provide some bittering but hardly play a dominant role. Alcohol is well-masked, although the fact that the beer has the bourbon flavor helps -- an alcohol burn would feel totally appropriate. Finish is nice and bitter, equal parts hops and coffee.

Very low carbonation, moderately heavy body, both appropriate to style. Slightly oily finish.

An excellent beer, both in general and within the style. Must acquire more...

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2009 01:17:00 | More by semihobo

dmsulli

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-25-2013 14:04:59 | More by dmsulli

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.86/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Founders Brewing Company - Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - 12fl oz bottle

Look - Pours black as night but thinner than a RIS with a small chocolate head that leaves sticky lacing. There is a nice red hue on the edges.

Smell - Rich chocolate, molasses, coffee, and a hint of bourbon. Maybe a tinge of vanilla cherry.

Taste - So damn rich and smooth! A friggan adult milkshake! Slightly carbonated wave of coffee (espresso), then dark chocolate/cocoa, then back to coffee. The bourbon sits in the background, adding a little oomph. Hearty as hell!

Mouthfeel - Rests a thick burnt sugar, roasted coffee, and toasted chewy chocolate. In terms of booziness it is remarkably light for 11.2%. Drinkable but sip this one, it has a lot to offer and taking your time is the only way to do it.

Overall - Do NOT serve cold as it dampens the flavor! Leave the bottle(s) out for 30 minutes or so before serving, it definitely bring outs the complexity. This is another great brew by Founders.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 13:36:31 | More by JMScowcroft

RayUF07

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-25-2013 05:47:00 | More by RayUF07

ajramirez1

Washington

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Live in NW WA rec'd in a beer trade with my buddy DWitt. Beer cold is really good. Let it warm, it is amazing...
Worth the hype. KBS is best stout to date. Cant imagine how good it taste kegged
With age, this beer would be mind blowing. So if anyone had the beer cellered, contact me. Pink Q Tip

A-

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 04:00:06 | More by ajramirez1

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-25-2013 02:18:52 | More by SmellsofMahagony

edbritton

Alabama

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 20:28:09 | More by edbritton

s_currie

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 18:58:54 | More by s_currie

Beer_Drinker

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-24-2013 16:44:23 | More by Beer_Drinker

wezzul

Michigan

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 16:35:29 | More by wezzul

Benish

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-24-2013 15:05:35 | More by Benish

kspongeworthy

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 14:40:11 | More by kspongeworthy

Hoozierdaddy

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 05:18:54 | More by Hoozierdaddy

SwG237

New York

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 03:50:17 | More by SwG237

BeerGardener

Nebraska

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 03:42:32 | More by BeerGardener

WKole81

Illinois

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 03:05:15 | More by WKole81

Jeremy_H

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 01:49:13 | More by Jeremy_H

berserka

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 01:39:22 | More by berserka

BrendanTownsend

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 01:27:16 | More by BrendanTownsend

ATXboozer

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-23-2013 23:44:50 | More by ATXboozer

Billz187

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-23-2013 23:39:16 | More by Billz187

tipfortap

New York

4.84/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

5 words to describe it: Burnt Sugar, Fudgey, Chewy, Roasty, Smooth

Paired it with: CBS

Should have paired it with: Actual breakfast. Pancakes or French toast.

Drink it if you like: Silent killers; any oatmeal, coffee, or chocolate porter or stout.

A few other thoughts: KBS is by far my favorite of the Breakfasts. It was SO smooth and velvety, and hid its 11.2% ABV remarkably well. It’s sweeter and creamier than the CBS, and has none of that licorice funk that I found in its sibling. It’s just an amazingly balanced, practically perfect beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2013 19:30:30 | More by tipfortap

Boston_Steve

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-23-2013 19:13:10 | More by Boston_Steve

Dpayne

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-23-2013 00:54:00 | More by Dpayne

Stickler

Michigan

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-23-2013 00:41:43 | More by Stickler