Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

joshbhs04

California

4.36/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Jet Black, very little head. What head that is there is tan and frothy.

S- Holy bourbon batman, followed by a whiff of coffee

T- Bourbon up front, coffee at the end. Some serious alcohol heat as well

M- Silky smooth mouthfell with some vanilla and alcohol on the end

O- A great stout and im glad to be able to get a few thanks to a trade. I would drink this daily and keep it for special events. Think a few months may lower the heat a lil and create an even better brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:34:55 | More by joshbhs04

pmoney

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2013 vintage reviewed on 4/21/13.

Appearance: It pours a thick inky black color. After a vigorous pour, a half-inch head forms and then dissipates within the first minute leaving behind a cream-colored rim. The head-retention is a bit underwhelming, but that is typical of high ABV beers. This year's KBS comes in at 11.2%. I intentionally let the beer sit and warm up to about 50 degrees before enjoying it.

Aroma: Faint aromas of bourbon, chocolate, coffee, and oak. The aroma has improved as it has warmed, but it is still less than I would have expected. Bourbon and chocolate are the more prevalent smells.

Taste: Huge flavors of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, roasted grains, and a little coffee. There is an excellent balance of all of these components! Bourbon is in the forefront, but definitely isn't overpowering. The coffee kicks in a little more in the back end.

Mouthfeel: Very thick, chewy, and silky-smooth. Everything a barrel-aged imperial stout should be! The carbonation is a little less than average, which is perfect for this beer.

Overall: The best aspects of this beer are the perfect mouthfeel and the wonderful balance of all the flavors. The only things lacking are the coffee flavor and the overall aroma. This year's KBS is a lot more chocolate-forward than years past, and definitely less boozy (especially considering it was bottled only a few weeks ago). It is typical for people to age barrel-aged imperial stouts, but this one is drinking great right out of the gate! I would recommend drinking it at cellar temperature (around 50-55 degrees), and consider pairing it with a piece of plain cheesecake. Overall this was a great beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 13:53:58 | More by pmoney

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A - Thirty weight black in color, with a dark tan velvety half finger of a head

S - coffee and chocolate aromas of course, but its alcohol that dominates the aroma. big on the bourbon in the whiff. Plus that great vanilla oakiness from barrel aging. Ends with a kick of dark fruits, especially plums. Quite an amalgamation of aromas.

T - holy bourbon! big roasted sweet vanilla oaky bourbon flavors. The coffee and chocolate follow up the bourbon elements nicely.

M&D&O - hype met. KBS is an incredible experience and I am very glad it finally made it to New England. I hope some local watering holes got some logs of it as well. It tastes like it would be even more amazing on tap. Rich, thick, layered, complex and utterly flavorful. Try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 01:18:56 | More by sinstaineddemon

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle, bottled on 03/04/2013. Thanks to the generosity of my local beer store dudes, I was able to snag their very last bottle. Exponentially hyped to be able to try this, although that probably goes without saying.

For lack of a snifter, I am pouring this into a St. Bernardus Watou chalice.

A - Pours a rich, thick, opaque black colored body with about a centimeter of mocha colored foam that dies out within seconds. Looks very enticing. Bit of alcohol lacing on the sides.

S - Nose is comprised of the usual suspects: iced brewed coffee, coffee beans, dark chocolate, and a lovely vanilla / bourbon barrel aroma.

T - Wow, this is a lovingly complex beer with layers of goodness. Silky chocolate body with bitter roasted coffee beans. Finishes with creamy delicious vanilla from the bourbon barrels and a hint of bourbon & some alcohol heat. Perfect carbonation.

M - Sleek, creamy feel, with just a hint of alcohol warmth. Bitter coffee beans & vanilla goodness lingering on the palate.

Overall, it lived up to the hype surrounding it fairly well. Although, I wouldn't trample innocent women & children to have another go at a bottle of this. I have to say, while it is still fresh in my mind from yesterday, that I think the Pipeworks Abduction Coffee Break was a better beer, albeit not aged in bourbon barrels. However, if this beer was more readily available than it is, I could see it as a mainstay in my fridge.

Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) ---4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 20:39:54 | More by mfnmbvp

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.39/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gonna have to thank 2 people for this one: Shamrock071521 and Damian74Shensky:

2013 bottle

Into a regular pint glass (also had in a nonic, only difference is a slightly larger head in the reg pint glass by a finger):

[nonic and reg pint]
A: dark brown/almost black colored body, tan foamy head as it rises and falls slowly but nicely enough to leave some nice clingy slightly foamy lacing in the wake

[nonic and reg pint]
S: bourbon up front with coffee, chocolate and oak coming through to try and combine with the bourbon but still stays secondary, vanilla only comes out as it warms

[nonic and reg pint]
T: slightly sweet, but burnt/roasty/smokiness of sorts goin' on, vanilla comes out again but subdued, hmmm...yes a bourbon aftertaste and finish

[nonic and reg pint]
M: heavy, yet smooth and rich, not sessionable (nowhere close, not sure why I had two of these tonight, but I know I'm goin' to bed after this), boy oh boy that ABV is felt [the heat is there], carbonation is adequate

[nonic and reg pint]
O: ok, this is smooth, wow, what a nice mouthfeel, I can see why so many people absolutely love this, and it has so many complexities, however, almost think I need to have one more and let it age just a bit just to see how it does, other than that, this is one I'd have again, and is definitely worth the hype

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:50:56 | More by kangarooAdam59

jdkitchi

Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured black with large brown head into a large snifter. There was good head retention and sticky lacing.

I mostly get wet coffee grounds on the nose along with some malt. There is a somewhat sweet coffee flavor up front. I get a little bit of cocoa and bourbon barrel after that. The mouth feel is medium.

About halfway through I'm getting more of a balance of the bourbon barrel flavor with the coffee. I started this at cellar temp of about 55F but I think it's a little better as it warms up from there.

I don't know if it is worth the $7 for a 12 oz bottle. Goose Island BCBS is much more intense. Central Waters BS has much more of the bourbon barrel notes. Overall, this is a very good imperial coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 00:26:51 | More by jdkitchi

Fusion7777

Virginia

4.91/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I don't really have much more to contribute over what's already been said by more experienced palates, but KBS is absolutely phenomenal. Poured motor oil black into an oversized wine glass with a modest creamy mocha head. Hints of mahogany when held up to the light. Scintillating aroma with a lot going on; roasty and sweet. Taste is elegantly layered, like a dark chocolate coffee cake in liquid form, revealing hints of caramel, vanilla, and oak as it warms. Muted bourbon character that isn't overpowering but comes together well with the other flavors. Incredibly balanced and nuanced. Mouthfeel is moderately thick but thinner than other big stouts. Dangerously drinkable, luxuriously smooth, and not as hot as you would expect for the ABV. Definitely one to sip and savor. A real treat. A shame this is so much of a hassle to acquire.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 20:46:52 | More by Fusion7777

TTAmod

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Procured a 2013 bottle today. Poured into tulip. Let's see if it lives up to the hype.

A: Dark, dark brown...almost black. There's quite a bit of brown head and carbonation, too. It's about one finger thick and the retention is quite good.

S: Lots of chocolate, coffee, and alcohol come through. There's a touch of oak and bourbon going on in the nose, but not that much.

T: Taste is burnt cocoa nibs, coffee, touch of chocolate. The bourbon is there, but isn't as strong as something like BCBS. Ends with a taste like a chocolate cake and a bit of heat. The bottle says 70 IBUs? Haha...it doesn't taste anywhere near that. Is the bourbon covering it up? This brew doesn't taste bitter at all. And they're not lying when they say that this is a completely different beer than Breakfast Stout...doesn't taste anything like it.

M: Very, very smooth and quite easy to drink considering the high ABV. There's a bit of carbonation tingle, but this stuff is SMOOTH.

O: It's good, but not as good as BCBS and not the liquid gold that people claim it is. It's not a bad beer by any means, though. I think a bit more bourbon flavor and slightly less sweetness would do this beer some good.

I'd definitely buy some again, but not something I'd buy every day, especially considering the price.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 01:48:46 | More by TTAmod

fx20736

New York

4.79/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Given to me as a gift by a very generous BA on 4/16/13.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a St Bernardus Chalice, served at room temp.

Appearance: Kentucky Coal Black with a 1 finger mocha head that has a cinnamon color to it. No lacing to speak of.

Aroma: deeply roasted malt and a hint of coffee get a mammoth bear hug of oaky, vanilla-ish Bourbon. Alcohol vapors.

Mouthfeel: silky, smooth. As delightful a mouthfeel as any beer.

Taste: rich, dark, chocolate, a touch of coffee and a good wallop of Bourbon with some molasses and vanilla in there somewhere. The oak from the barrels is noticeable as well.

notes: so this is KBS! I was afraid the beer couldn't possibly live up to the hype, thank God my fears were unfounded. Aroma, mouthfeel and taste are all perfect or nearly so. The only minor blemish is lack of lacing and head retention but that may just be a result of the barrel aging. The Bourbon flavor is blended in to the beer very well so it is not a hot mess. This is one of the best beers I have ever had. I hope to be able to get another bottle for Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 22:38:23 | More by fx20736

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Kentucky Breakfast Stout pours a jet, almost motor oil color with a creamy looking heady that is dark tan, if not light brown.

S- Rich coffee notes pop out first followed but nicely but some subtle chocolate and bourbon notes. There's a faint hint of vanilla too that is quite pleasant.

T- WOW! What pops out right away is the dominating malt character. Lot's of thick, roasted flavors going on. This is melding very interestingly with vanilla and chocolate sweetness. Quite a bit of bourbon as well; this is actually lingering quite a bit. I'm lovin' it!

M- Smooth like velvet. Full bodied, heavy bodied, whatever you want to call it, this beer is dense and delicious. Not a whole lot of booziness from the 11.2% ABV, which is actually a bit surprising. I'm sure this would mellow out even more with some aging.

O- Absolutely stellar beer. Rich and complex flavors are keeping me wanting another sip. I wish I had one more to age a while to see what it does. Nevertheless, I'm incredibly happy I got to try it. This beer definitely lived up to its reputation. Great stuff from Founders.

Serving Type- 12oz bottle poured into a large tulip

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 05:10:54 | More by Doc_Hops

ZymCity

Michigan

4.31/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2013 edition KBS
Poured from a 12 oz bottle to a snifter glass.

appearance - beer pours thick, oily, black with a relatively light, one-finger, rust-brown head. the head unfortunately dissipated relatively quickly.

smell - bourbony, boozy dominance with hints of licorice, coffee and notes of chocolate.

taste - thick mouthfeel, pleasantly boozy, moderate sweetness, roasty bitterness compliments the other flavors well

mouthfeel - thick bodied with low carbonation is appropriate for the style and allows a variety of flavors to come through as you make your way through the beer.

overall - sort of a bummer that the first time i saw this beer on the shelf this year was in mid-may. at this point, im ready to put any and all winter warmers behind me and transition to more "sessionable seasonals". i wonder why they wait until the spring to release this one. either way, the beer was wonderful and very much true to style. i like that the bourbon characteristics were obvious but not overwhelming. i've had bourbon-minded beers in which the boozy-bourbony elements were overpowering and ruined the experience as well as my palate....sometimes subtlety is a virtue. i'll probably age this one a bit and see where it goes.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 02:12:19 | More by ZymCity

mikeyv35

New York

4.4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Date: 04/15/2013
Type: 12oz. Bottle
Vintage: 2008
Glass: Southampton Tulip

*Excited to crack this 2008 vintage bottle with the scaled down 10% ABV and wild west Kentucky Breakfast Stout spelled out label.

Pours a midnight black in color w/ only a few dark brown bubbles that leave no lacing on the glass. Aromas of coffee, oak, bourbon, and vanilla. The flavor was of coffee up front, leading into very smooth oak/vanilla/bourbon, and finishes w/ ever so slight hop bite and char. Full bodied, but a bit thin due to the carbonation falling off a bit over 5 years in the bottle. Very easy to drink as the ABV is well hidden and the flavors are so well melded together.

Overall, this is the KBS I remember and it took me back to a better time in beer 5 years ago. When this beer was fresh and the carbonation was there this beer was a lush monster, this rich and lush monster is what built the reputation and high score for this beer. If the carbonation was there that once was this would get a much higher score. The KBS now is only a shadow.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 22:59:36 | More by mikeyv35

MaximalC

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours ebony with a respectable mocha head. Aroma smells of chocolate, coffee, and bourbon, with perhaps a hint of dark fruit--not overpowering, but present enough to be appreciated. At first blush, taste is similar to that of the regular Breakfast Stout, but with a greater balance between the chocolate and coffee notes, which I find to be more heavily weighted on the coffee side in the breakfast stout. The balanced chocolate-coffee blend is offset by the addition of the bourbon, which lends a smooth, solid oaken sophistication that takes Breakfast Stout to the next level. This brew certainly doesn't want for flavor, and is best enjoyed sip by sip. The taste is smooth and never cloying, and the staying power is impeccable. The aftertaste is pleasant and prolonged, affording plenty to savor between sips. Alcohol is just present enough to lend some warmth without being overbearing, and certainly well masked--I never would have surmised the 11% ABV. It only improves with warming, and I found the experience of enjoying a bottle over the course of an hour to be wholly satisfying.

KBS takes the already delicious Founders Breakfast Stout to the next level. It's a smooth, luxurious blend of chocolate, bourbon, and coffee in equal measure, and pretty much on par with the reputation that precedes it.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 02:51:45 | More by MaximalC

alphaacid9000

Michigan

4.89/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle 2013

Once again, another outstanding year of KBS

Dark brown to black, bright clear with a thin light tan head.

Aroma is fantastic, could just smell this beer all day! Bourbon hits first followed by smooth coffee aroma. Notes of vanilla, chocolate, toffee, sweet malt and alcohol

Flavor is more chocolate but swiftly followed by the bourbon, sticky malt sugar and coffee. Bitterness is assertive and beautifully cuts the sweetness. Would have given a higher taste rating but I am detecting a slightly metallic or alkaline flavor that I have not remembered from past years - maybe just too young. Mouthfeel is very full bodied and delicate.

Overall - Many beers fall to the hype once the hype gets to a ridiculous level. KBS is not in that class. This beer stands on its own and speaks for itself.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:08:24 | More by alphaacid9000

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

4.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Poured at 57.4F into a Riedel stemless goblet. Pours dark mahogony brown with a relatively minor toffee head which subsides quickly with minimal lacing.

N: Hard to figure out where to begin. You have the milk chocolate, with vanilla, but all wrapped in a kind of buttery toffee smell. The bourbon is there when you first open it, but subsides after a while. Doesn't really smell boozy to me. 11.2%?? No way. But wow, the smell is delicious and just like many a FB relationship status: it's complicated.

T: This really really really is a well crafted stout. Artisinally produced. Evertyhing you get in the nose is there on the tongue, and each flavor on its own is quite bold and distinct, but it's all just sooo dang balanced. You get the very rich coffee and expresso but it's totally interwoven with the chocolate and the vanilla from the bourbon barrel. The bourbon flavors and booziness didn't really start to become prominent until this warmed to 60F or so. But completely and complexly delicious.

MF: So smooth and velvety. Very creamy and sticks to your mouth and palate. You can still get the oak and vanilla 10 seconds after your last swallow on the back of your tongue.

O: This is a truly EPIC stout in almost every way. Is it worth $5 / bottle, for 2 bottles once a year? Sure. Would I pay that much every day?, no way. Continuous battle of hype, expectation, scarcity and quality. But a great beer in any case.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 02:06:31 | More by JeffreyJDavis

douginromeo

Michigan

4.99/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2013 vintage aggressively poured into snifter at cellar temperature.

Appearance - dark, with just the slightest bit of light visible through it. Pours a 1/2 inch beige head that dissipates rather quickly

Smell - won-der-ful! Vanilla, bourbon, caramel sweetness. Just so pleasant to smell that it ALMOST seems a shame to drink

Taste - In a word, balance. Nothing overpowers anything else in this beer. The vanilla, bourbon, and dark malts play so well together that there can be no doubt of the craftsmanship that went into the making of this beer.

Mouthfeel - Thick, viscous, and silky, with the perfect amount of carbonation. This is what a barrel aged stout should be like

Overall - In my humble opinion, there is simply not much to improve upon. It is so well-balanced and well done that there won't be much that is better in this specific genre of beer. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I'm vastly experienced with bb stouts, but I know a great beer when I drink one. This is a great beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 19:26:10 | More by douginromeo

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pored from a distance into a balloon glass to try and coax the head in this high ABV beer. Great success! Big, two-finger-thick, mocha-colored head that sits with some tight, some foamy bubbles on top. Some lacing too. Deep, black body that does not allow much light to pass through at all. Head dissipates to thin layer after several minutes.

Massive aroma that is pumped up with notes of coffee, vanilla, and dark malts. Coffee definitely dominates the aroma, but those layers of chocolate and bourbon-soaked wood help to add more complexity here. Smells delicious. Delivers what is says it is going to deliver.

Rich coffee/espresso and chocolate notes that are overlaid with notes of bourbon, oak and vanilla. A very supple taste that could easily hold up to some strong food pairings or cigars. As the beer warms the alcohol becomes much more prevalent and even a touch hot.

The beer's body is as thick as can be. Velvety and creamy carbonation. Smooth and rich, with a slick finish. This is a great body for such a big beer. Compliments the flavor and aroma very well.

Yet another great beer from Founders! It isn't something you could drink a lot of, but still remains a tasty beer. I don't think it's the best beer that Founders makes, but it's 100% worth trying and I would definitely drink this again. It exemplifies the signature barrel aged smoothness and bold character that I come to expect from their beers. A must try for barrel-aged beer lovers.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 17:52:45 | More by MusicaleMike

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle at Dark Lord 2012.

A - Deep brown/black, decent head retention for the ABV. Head looks like chocolate milk.

S - Coffee, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, smoke, not much else, not very complex, but it does smell good.

T - Coffee, ashy chocolate, slight bourbon and vanilla. It's good, but not great.

M - Creamy, full-bodied, sticky. Coats the tongue in a single sip. Decent carbonation, not over or underwhelming.

O - Does not live up to the hype, plain and simple, partly because there IS so much hype. It is, however, a good stout, but would never pay over 5 dollars per 12oz bottle. That's just absurd.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 15:56:51 | More by Trifecta1

PattyMelt

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2013 KBS.

A- Dark dark brown, almost black, with a dark tan, creamy head that minimalized pretty quick.
S- Heavy malty, dark chocolate smell, with a strong coffee base. Bourbon is evident in the smell, but not over-bearing. It really smells like a decadent piece of chocolate.
T- Bourbon hits at the front and lingers throughout. Other tastes are the same as on the nose. Very malty, chocolate and coffee. The coffee flavor lingers awhile. Very strong taste.
M- Creamy and smooth. Pretty easy to drink despite the liquor and the heaviness of it. Full bodied.

Overall, a great drink. I'm not sure it quite lives up to the hype, but that is a lot of hype to live up to. ;) It is amazing though, and a definite try!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 13:29:41 | More by PattyMelt

jbierling

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark with minimal head. Not fizzy by any means. Pours extremely thick. Wish it had more to the pour.

S - Chocolate, Chocolate. Wasn't able to pick up much Bourbon.

T - Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate. Did I mention it has a strong taste of chocolate?

M - Carbonated well. Not much head, but good mouthfeel all the same.

O - A high quality beer well worth the asking price, and quite possibly the most chocolatey beer I've ever had. Its hard to imagine anything with more dark chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 02:28:34 | More by jbierling

Ahappyhiker2

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2012 vintage poured into stemless Heady Topper snifter. I typically like KBS with a year on it, so it's time to see how it's aging.

A- Jet black pour, no visible light through it. Small tan head that dissipates rather quickly. Definitely has lost visible carbonation from last year.

S- Roasted coffee upfront, very traditional for KBS. Some caramel, dark chocolate, molasses. There's a hint of bourbon and vanilla at the end but not much at all compared to other BA stouts. The aroma is bitter and sweet at the same time, very well balanced.

T- The first thing I always notice about KBS is how smooth it is. It has so many distinct, bold flavors but they're subtle when they need to be. There's still a lot of coffee and roasty flavors in there, and as always KBS has much more chocolate to it than vanilla. It's bitter at the end, but not a hoppy bitter, more of a dark coffee or dark chocolate bitter. Like I said, every flavor in KBS is incredibly bold.

M- Thick, chewy, what I've come to expect from Founders' stouts. Carbonation has died down since last year but with the thick mouthfeel it's kinda perfect.

O- KBS is a solid BA stout. It says on the bottom of the label, "Is good for everything a stout ought to be good for" and it certainly is. I typically like my stouts with more of a vanilla characteristic to them (something KBS and CBS certainly lack) but it's a fantastic beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:19:52 | More by Ahappyhiker2

mahak213

New York

4.31/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2013 Vintage into HF tulip-

Appearance- Deep, dark, black. Viscous looking pour, with a minimal brown head that faded to a thin ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell- Big roasty coffee and chocolate, with a mild vanilla presence from the barrel.

Taste- Very coffee forward, followed up with fudgey dark chocolate. The bourbon takes a back seat in this, but has a mild vanilla sweetness on the finish. I love the big coffee presence, but wish there was a bigger bourbon presence.

Mouthfeel- Full and coating.

Overall- Seriously good stuff, worth seeking out, but not worth going too crazy for.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 21:46:18 | More by mahak213

AdamF625

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- dark brown to black with a thin brown head.

S- sweet bourbon with strong oak and roasted coffee.

T- strong bourbon flavor, booze, oak, some semi-sweet chocolate.

M- medium body stout, not as thick and syrupy as one would expect.

O- This one was as fresh as it gets so it was a bit boozy, but you can't go wrong here.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 02:18:28 | More by AdamF625

brewtus

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured 2013 vintage into snifter. Served at clear temp.
A- pours jet black with a dense thin beige head. Dark as they come
S- tons of dark chocolate, lots of dark roast coffee, lots of oak, bourbon, some vanilla, boozy, good amount of alcohol scent
T/M- first you get the taste of FBS, slams your mouth with dark chocolate and perfectly balanced coffee. The barrel aging kicks in just after, lots of whiskey, lots of oak but neither are over the top. Leaves your mouth with a perfect flavor of chocolate, coffee, and bourbon barrels. The texture is creamy and not bitter at all
O- this beer is amazing. The flavors compliment each other perfectly and there is a lot going on at one time. Along with the obvious listed flavors, you get subtle cinnamon, marshmallow, lactose, hint of smoke, some boozieness. Can't wait to do a side by side with my 2012. This is a perfect example of the style. Make sure to drink this just under room temp to make sure you get to enjoy every aspect of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:43:41 | More by brewtus

heffaythegreat

Michigan

4.66/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black with hints of dark ruby around bottom and top of glass. Dark tan head about a finger width. Can see the alcohol along the top of the glass.

S. Coming through the strongest is the coffee, then chocolate, almost giving it a mocha smell. slight hint of vanilla and bourbon in the background

T. Right off the bat you get chocolate and coffee, finishing off with a slight bourbon and vanilla taste. A slight alcohol burn at the end and almost like a dark fruit taste like raisin.

M. Medium mouth feel. slightly syrupy.

O. This is the best stout I have tasted. Its unfortunate that it is so limited. If I could get regularly, this would be my go to beer. I will be cellaring two of them and trying in a couple years.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 22:46:39 | More by heffaythegreat