Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

Neorebel

New Jersey

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

Finally had the opportunity to experience this over at Newberry's Yard Of Ale in East Stroudsburg PA! We had a few 8 oz pours. Right off the bat I will confidently state that this was one of the most satisfying high end beers ever to grace my taste buds. It's obsidian appearance is opaque, and topped with a nice layering of foam that resembles chocolate mousse. It's about .5 to 1 inch tall. There's copious amounts of lacing adorning the glass also.

The aroma is luxurious, with top shelf whiskey notes, Toblerone, and light vanilla cream. It's quite vibrant! Upon tasting, the word 'exquisite' immediately came to mind. Lavazza espresso, gourmet dark chocolate, new oak, caramel, subtlety floral hops, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream...the multitude of perceived ingredients are all blended quite smoothly. The velvety liquid is dangerously drinkable with its moderately light body. It's almost too hard to believe the alcohol level is 11%.

It bears repeating that its degree of balance is astounding. Each sip is like a soft journey through it's flavorful layers. Going forward I will take whatever steps are necessary to have this beer each year, however inconvenient. Find it and enjoy as much as possible!

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2013 15:53:49 | More by Neorebel

Ilafan

Minnesota

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

AS GOOD AS IT GETS for me! I sought out this beer at a local Founders Festival and was thrilled at the result. My expectations were high; my expectations were met!

Pour: Black as coal with a great soft-brown foamy head.

Smell: Rich coffee and chalky chocolate

Taste: RICH, RICH, and MORE RICH! The roasted coffee and chocolate was so thick I could practically chew it. It is a heavy beer and a meal unto itself. LOVES IT!

Overall: The best beer I have ever had (so far)!

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2013 18:45:14 | More by Ilafan

MacQ32

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

2013 Keg @ Smokey Oak Taproom in Charleston, SC

A - Pours a near black with a very very thin outer ring of brown head, ok lacing.

S - Roasted coffee & chocolate, lots of vanilla and oak and maybe some caramel malt. Simple sounding but amazing smell.

T - Lots of roasty coffee flavors and bourbon up front, sweet chocolate, vanilla and alcohol astringency follows. A nice rather bitter/alcoholic finish. There may be some dark fruits as well. The roasted bitter flavors, bourbon/alcohol and sweet vanilla dominate.

M - Fullish bodied, a bit of a sipper as the bourbon is pretty noticeable. Mildly (appropriately) carbonated. Very smooth

O - Pretty much met all of the hype, bourbon/alcohol and vanilla sweetness really dominated this one for me. The dark fruits were very much in your face initially, the warmth brought forth more vanilla boozyness.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 03:44:18 | More by MacQ32

ktblue22

Vermont

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

I just realized I forgot to ask if this was being served nitro or not - perhaps I can research and update later. We usually ask to sit at the bar, however, since it was extremely packed we grabbed a table (at the Whetstone Station in Brattleboro- you may have seen ads for it on this site!).

Waited 15 minutes for the beer to come so you can imagine how antsy I was to finally try it. I was with my partner and one of my best friends, we all were trying it for the first time and the anticipation was exciting and fun. We all took sips at the same time, and we all exclaimed simultaneously OH MY GOD.

Seriously smooth and velvety - vanilla and caramel and sweet sweet bourbon. The aftertaste is a sweet burn from the bourbon barrel. Delicious and very sippable - the intensity of this beer makes me recommend not chugging it! It is also incredibly rich. So happy to have been able to try it on tap, would love to compare it to the bottle!

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 19:55:20 | More by ktblue22

tastymug

Ohio

4.76/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Pours a thick black, with a minimal dark-tan head with some retention around the edge of the glass; lots of lacing as you drink.

Smell: Nose is sweet and roasted with coffee, chocolate and a hint of vanilla and oak.

Taste: Lives up to the hype; roasted, chocolate, vanilla (which typically comes from being aged in bourbon barrels) with a little hint of sweet bitterness; can also pick up on the oak and bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a real creamy smoothness; coats the tongue and lingers.

Overall: This was my first encounter with the esteemed KBS, and I have to say, it didn’t disappoint. I was drinking several very good beers in a flight while waiting for KBS to be poured at a local establishment’s Beer-Fest KBS party, and when compared side-by-side to KBS, the other beers definitely fell a bit into its shadow. In a special class, KBS is well worth the effort of hunting it down. I’m sure I’ll be doing the same when it releases again next year!

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 17:24:26 | More by tastymug

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.44/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft pour is a black body with a finger of mocha colored head that retains very well.
Sweet chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and bourbon on the nose.
Great taste of chocolate, vanilla, roasty coffee, slight bourbon, alcohol warmth, and oak barrel.
Drinks full with slight carbonation. Gets dry at the end.
A great beer that shines on all fronts allowing all the components to come out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 02:25:17 | More by MattSweatshirt

tito42

Missouri

4.88/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Served on-tap in a snifter at Waldo Pizza on 4/5/2013.

A: Thick and very dark brown with just a hint of cherry color.

S: Bourbon barrels, coffee, chocolate, vanilla. Wonderful.

T: Amazing blend of coffee, cocoa nibs, roasted malt, and bourbon-aged oak.

M: Very full bodied and smooth. Leaves a warm bourbon sensation in the throat without the bite of booze.

O: Just about as perfect as I can imagine a beer being. Glad I finally had a chance to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 02:29:17 | More by tito42

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On Tap at House Of 1000 Beers
A - Pours completely black with a brown head, but not a really thick head, and little lacing.
S - Big dark roasted malt right off the bat, some chocolate and vanilla, then that big bourbon scent.
T - Follows the aroma almost exactly, large roasted malt flavor, very sweet, with hints of vanilla, and some minor earthy hops, toasted wood chips, and some chocolate.
M - Very thick, but smooth, the sticky sweetness of the malt just lasts forever on your palate.
O - From personal preference, I dont see eye to eye with Imperial Stouts, this does have some great flavors, and is incredibly smooth, the 11.2% is masked almost completely, but it tastes like nearly every other imperial stout i've had. I'd much rather take your average stout against this, but I've had it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2013 21:50:27 | More by Omnium

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.34/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

At Westover Beer Haus.

A - Slightly viscous, black opaque, very little head, not much carbonation.

S - Coffee, some bourbon.

T - Coffee, the bourbon is not overwhelming. A slight bite of alcohol in the finish.

M - Smooth

O - I was actually not expecting to like this beer as much as I did. The barrel aging does not contribute a heavy bourbon flavor to the beer (if I wanted bourbon I would order bourbon). FBS is still the top double imperial stout for me, but I can now understand all the hype and rush to buy this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2013 02:51:24 | More by Sludgeman

Ell

Alabama

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Yes please. Can I have more?

Serving: 8 oz Michelob Ultra tasting glass @ Hop City Bham (yes, I know - Mich Ultra - but a great beer place).

A: Dark. Very dark. It's a big stout, it's dark. Good head formation and retention.

S: Smells like booze. Delicious, bourbony booze. Some malt coming through on the nose.

T: Well, that's damn good. Excellent beer - lots of bourbon. Coffee notes barely making it through, but enough to know they're there.

M: Coats the mouth in the most glorious way. Exactly what you'd expect from this style.

O: Yep, it's KBS, it's rare, it's delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 15:17:27 | More by Ell

derekrick420

Pennsylvania

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

Teresa's tapped a 2010 firkin the day before the Super Bowl, unfortunately one was spilled on my coat. All I have to say is...it was 25 out, and windy. My coat was soaked with KBS and all I thought was how lucky I was that my coat smelled like KBS while I waited on a commuter train platform.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 02:18:56 | More by derekrick420

beagle826

New York

4.51/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Beautiful pitch black coloring with a tan 1" head. Chocolaty, roasted aromas. Lingering scent of vanilla and bourbon.

First sip is overwhelming. Awesome roastiness up front, with a smooth vanilla finish. This is what a beer should taste like! 11.2 % is very well hidden, which could be dangerous. One of the best RIS I've ever had!

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 00:33:07 | More by beagle826

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.34/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Gorgeous in the glass it served black with a tidy brown head.

Scent of bourbon and dark chocolate with slight notes of coconut. Hints of grain or earthiness, the scent is vivid and telling.

The taste is chocolatey with little hints of vanilla. More bourbon essence in this one, than others of the style, I got a lot of the barrel in this. Very earthy in tone theres alot of the oakiness from the barrel, along with the smokey bourbon flavor. It finished with a tinny alcohol taste. This taste lended to mouthfeel with a thin, stringy, metallic feel.

Overall, a very fine stout, especially for those who prefer more oak and bourbon.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 01:05:33 | More by KYGunner

joshbrink

Alabama

4.88/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Appearance - Rather dark beer, with a small, very manageable head. Mocha colored.

Smell - Definitely one for the nostrils. Pick up on chocolate, vanilla, major scents of oak. Smell of bourbon hits the nose. You can smell that it is a heavy hitter with the alcohol too.

Taste - Definitely more going on with this beer. Right off the bat tasted oak and chocolate. Had a bit of a sweet taste to it tho, possibly caramel. The taste off coffee comes later. At the very end, almost after the sip tasted the bourbon.

Mouthfeel - Very smooth. Almost deceptive for the amount of alcohol in the deer. Very syrupy beer. Best feel of the beer is after a beer, the residual affects of the bourbon lingered in my mouth and throat.

Overall - Very pleased with the beer. Originally a big fan of the breakfast stout so naturally i had to try this one when given the opportunity. Not disappointed at all.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 22:54:44 | More by joshbrink

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.28/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a black colored brew with only a tiny off white head which faded very fast to leave some patchy spots of lace on the sides of the glass as well as some small islands of foam floating on the top of the brew.

Smell – The aroma was lighter then I was initially expecting. It had nice notes of coffee, dark chocolate, some vanilla sweetness and a nice boozy bourbon aroma. While it was light it was quite nice and warming in smell.

Taste – The taste begins with roasted malt and coffee flavors. Some sweet vanilla and dark chocolate are up front and grow stronger toward the middle. While these flavors grow stronger, some lighter bourbon flavors come to the tongue. While the bourbon starts out lighter, by the end it really picks up in intensity with the chocolate and caramel lessening some in the profile. Along with the boozy flavor increasing in intensity, so too does some of the coffee flavors, which in the end, when combined with roasted malt flavors creates a quite roasty and pleasantly bitter boozy taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the creamier side with a carbonation level that is below average. Both the lower carbonation and thicker-creamier body are fantastic for the brew and really accentuating the roasted, coffee, and bourbon flavors of the brew.

Overall - A very tasty beer and one that is well worth a try. While it is fantastic with its wonderful roasty and bourbon flavors its reputation precedes it some. I actually think Founders Breakfast is more balanced then the Kentucky. While with this said however, the Kentucky is definitely a beer to try if you have the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 23:38:46 | More by Darkmagus82

JimsArcade

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage. Pours jet-black with a significant amount of dark-brown head. Smells of coffee and a shot of high-proof alcohol. The taste is amazingly complex: oak, bourbon, coffee, Belgian chocolate, and toffee. The first sip can be harsh, but it becomes nice and smooth as it warms. One of the best barrel-aged stouts I've ever tasted.

I've had this on-tap and in bottles, both fresh and aged one- through three-years. KBS' defining characteristics drop significantly the first two years, leveling out by year three. I usually prefer beers like this aged, but for me KBS is best fresh as it becomes just an average barrel-aged beer the older it gets.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 22:41:47 | More by JimsArcade

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've had this one both on tap and bottled, don't really prefer it one way or the other, it's fantastic either way. But for the review I'll take from my notes at The P.O.P.E during Philly Beer Week '12

Poured very dark to a wine glass, a fingers width of tan head slowly dissipates. Smell is slight bourbon, Some roasted coffee, and Vanilla. Taste is great, so well balanced and delicious. Vanilla, caramel, bourbon, oak, chocolate and coffee.. Everything you think you'll taste, you will taste. Super easy to drink with a rich coating mouth feel. Looking forward to trying a couple aged variants in the coming months.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2012 18:53:40 | More by JustinMatthew

RandyKemka

Connecticut

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

I have had this beer both on tap and 12oz bottle
Served in a snifter

A - It pours very dark and fairly thick. A half inch of head rests on top.

S - I get the coffee, bourbon and vanilla that is advertised.

T - AWESOME, I get a hint of coffee with a nice bourbon finish. The

M - Full and creamy

O - This beer is one of the best, it's so sad that it is so hard to get. Founders once again does an outstanding job with an outstanding brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2012 17:13:59 | More by RandyKemka

EdwardFortyHands

Iowa

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A very complex beer, I really enjoyed everything about this stout but it was missing that je ne snae pas.

Some theorized that the coffee was beginning to fade from the overall flavor profile, but I am not sure if I will buy that at this point in time.

The notes were in fact muted but I liked it a lot.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2012 04:41:32 | More by EdwardFortyHands

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.54/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on 2013-03-30 in Grand Rapids at the brew pub.

A - Black or very dark brown with a 1-finger, dark tan head, alcohol legs and light lacing.

S - Bourbon, vanilla, oak, chocolate, coffee and fig.

T - Bourbon forward, chocolate, expresso, vanilla, oak and mild dried fruit. The aftertaste is equally complex with roasted and and hop bitterness and a touch of sour. Beautiful blend of flavors. The alcohol is apparent but well-integrated.

M - Pretty thick body, light carbonation yields a smooth, creamy feel.

O - This is a delicious brew; especially if you like a forward bourbon flavor. Quite the sipper that gets better and better as it warms from 45 degrees to room temperature. Interestingly, the more it warms, the more it leans towards a rich, chocolate flavor. Get it if you can. On-tap is extra good.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 22:52:15 | More by Tucquan

GameFreac

Georgia

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage on tap at the Brick Store Pub for the Breakfast Yard Sale - May 19, 2012. 8 oz pour.

Appearance: Pours a midnight black with a brownish small khaki head.

Smell: Smells of chocolate, bourbon, and slight alcohol.

Taste - Taste is chocolate, roasted malts, and bourbon. Gets better as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Thick and perfect for this beer.

Overall: I prefer CBS and FBS over KBS and I wasn't as blown away as I thought I would be but this is still a world class beer and one of my favorites ever.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 23:47:08 | More by GameFreac

julian89

Georgia

4.88/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So yeah, I went to Brick Store Pub's annual breakfast before work and had KBS 2010, CBS 2010, and Blushing monk to make an awesome 8-10 oz per cup beer flight, all on draft. Yes It was a great start to my work day. I had the CBS from bottle last year, from what I remember it's just as fantastic.

Appearance: Pours a viscous-looking black body with a small, short-lived tan head. It's viscosity is similar to a light molasses.

Smell: Heavy aroma hits with strong notes of smokey roasted malt, brown sugar, vanilla, fine pipe tobacco, dark chocolate charred wood, and smooth bourbon all blended well.

Taste: Oh... my.. god... these three beers were my breakfast and all I needed. The smooth mix and booming taste of roasted malts, dark chocolate, and strong vanilla-flavored coffee hit me on the start. Distinct, yet subtle bourbon flavor with tastes of smokey wood and dark brown sugar. Sweetish bourbon, roasty taste on the mild alcohol warming finish.

Mouthfeel: Full body and mild carbonation. Oh so smooth.

Drinkability: If I had to trade breakfast for liquid for the rest of my life, all I would drink are Founders KBS, CBS, and regular breakfast stout. Such a smooth well mixed beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 17:02:01 | More by julian89

boltfan

California

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ Toronado SD from notes

A: Completely black no head on the pour decent lacing left on the glass

S: Espresso, a little alcohol but smell probably the best coffee smell I have experienced in a beer some chocolate began to come through as it warmed.

T: Huge coffee taste upfront followed by a great sweet and bourbon taste on the back of the palate, as it warms the dark chocolate and vanilla begin to show more and the bourbon becomes more prevalent.

M: Full bodied nice and velvety, creamy and leaves a nice oily coating on the tongue.

O: I am really glad that I had a chance to try this one I've been wanting to try for a while. This is an amazing beer there aren't many other bal-aged stouts that rank higher than this.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 19:15:48 | More by boltfan

biga7346

Michigan

4.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012

A - Pours deep mahogany, flat, black and dense; pours flat with a slight lift of chocolate-colored foam.

N - Whiskey, oak and cream, strong notes of vanilla bean, cocoa, burnt toast, boozy; very bready backbone like biscuit, reminds me of a chocolate brownie. Suggestions of dark, sugary fruits like fig, raisins, glazed fruit and even candy corn.

T/M - Chocolate brownie, biscotti, quite fudgey, chocolate chips, vanilla bean, coffee and cream all set against a chewy, dense mouthfeel; balanced for a BBA imperial stout - it has just the perfect touch of bourbon whiskey and charred oak in the finish.

D - World class, alcohol is tucked away nicely.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 01:37:05 | More by biga7346

ChugginOil

Illinois

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

Poured @ The Bavarian Lodge: Sinner or Saint?

Black as always. Looks oily. A quarter inch of dark tan head. Small spotty lace.

The nose has a ton of coffee, more so than the bottle. Subtle bourbon, chocolate, caramel, tannin, and roast.

The taste is coffee forward with dark chocolate notes, roasted malts, light vanilla and oak. The bourbon is much more subtle than the bottled version. The balance and array of flavors is just as stunning as always.

The mouthfeel is thick and creamy as hell. Silky and beastly.

Overall, amazing beer. This is a great example of how a great beer can vary between serving types. Excellent for both ways. Leaning towards the bottled version more because of the prevelant bourbon notes.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2012 21:55:03 | More by ChugginOil