Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

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

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

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

CMUbrew

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

12oz bottle into a Founders snifter

A: Pours thick and viscous and is midnight black in color. Dark brown head forms on the pour and soon fades to a ring. Filmy bubbles float on parts of the surface.

S: Right after the pour coffee leads the nose, but not overpoweringly so. Chocolate is noticeable also and smells on the sweeter side. The bourbon nose does not show up until after some warming, first coming on as a nice meld with the coffee and chocolate, and then eventually taking center stage and pushing the other smells into the back seat as the beer becomes even warmer.

T: Heavenly. The flavor is simply a perfect amalgamation of coffee, chocolate, and bourbon. All these awesome flavors come together to create the finest flavor experience I've ever had in a beer. No single flavor overpowers any other, and the bourbon barrels have worked awesome magic to lend a fine bourbon quality that just blends in so well. Bourbon can be so overdone in beers, but that is not even remotely the case here. There is simply a perfect harmony of flavor in this stout.

M: Full, creamy, smooth. Very, very light carbonation, but just enough. A year in barrels has made this beer so velvety smooth it's ridiculous.

O: A must-try for any lover of beer. KBS is worthy of its acclaim and is easily the best beer I've yet had the pleasure of drinking. Simply amazing. KBS.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 04:38:46 | More by CMUbrew

MCImes

Minnesota

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

This is everything a HUGE coffee bourbon chocolate stout should be. Pours like thick oil. Smells of coffee, bourbon, alcohol, and dark malts. In your mouth it rocks your pallet. Its thick and chewy. Founders nailed this because its not too sweet. It has enough to hold up the body, but is still dry enough that I could drink a few of these if it wouldnt kill me, and then Id be all out =( The bourbon flavor in this is amazing. They nailed everything about this beer.

This beer deserves 100. The only thing Founders could do to improve it is MAKE A LOT MORE!!!! It was HARD to get this year in MN. ( make it year round too. Seriously, start a Kickstarter campaign. BAs will pay for a stand alone KBS brewery)

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 17:27:17 | More by MCImes

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

a huge thanks to drlovemd87 for making this a reality. he is a gentleman and a classy BA. the holy grail here, it pours a chocolate brown color, dense and creamy looking, with an inch or so of espresso colored head that doesn't budge. the nose is awesomely coffee heavy. not acidic, but bright and mellow at the same time. some mild dark chocolate notes, a ton of roast, but not bitter at all. the flavor really features this coffee, somehow with a neutral ph. the ultra roasted barley gives an almost smoky flavor, while the chocolate stays in the background. I am most blown away how I taste no alcohol at all in this beer. the founders imperial is hotly alcoholic, in this beer, its totally hidden, even though its stronger. some bourbon hints with char and vanilla come through, but this beer isn't sweet at all. not teeth coating, not heavy. its remarkable how drinkable it really is. the coffee feature is as good as it gets, almost weirdly refreshing, like an iced coffee. the depth and complexity of this fine ale is second to none, and the perfection of its craftsmanship is mind boggling. I cant remember a beer so highly hyped that delivers as well as this gem does, save pliny the younger. its that good. thanks again to drlovemd87, youre a bloody legend mate!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 17:20:11 | More by StonedTrippin

merc7186

New York

4.36/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle into snifter glass.

A: Dark Opqaue Hue, Passes No Light, Brownish Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Espresso, Bitter Coffee, Chocolate, Mild Bourbon, Mildly Nutty

T: Coffee, Chocolate, Mild Bourbon

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Mildly Bitter

Overall, this beer is what it is...I just wish that there was more of a barrel presence in it but the coffee either overtook it or the barrel just was prominent enough. Great Trade Bait.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 19:11:03 | More by merc7186

emceecue

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

This is my first beer review. I have only rated about 1/3 of what I have tasted. But this beer compels me to write a review. What a FAILURE to its a hype.

I was excited to pour it, it smelled of espresso, chocolate, and (my fave) bourbon.
Poured a nice dark head that only dissipated after a few sips. But my hopes dissipated with its head. There was nothing...it tasted like a coffee infused beer. Don't get me wrong, I love those, but there was no bourbon to be had.

I'd be be more enthused if I poured a shot of my pappy 15 year in a Terrapin's Wake N Bake.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 05:35:41 | More by emceecue

martyl1000

Wisconsin

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

Why I'm not giving KBS A 5:

I may not be the most reliable judge For this beer because I do like me a sweeter stout.

I figure to review an iconic Brew like this,
rather than Hashing over the same
Old Ground, it would be more useful to place it on my list of all-time favorites.

For flavor in the mouth, my touch stones are Founders Imperial Stout, Black Hole, Berserker, 120 Minute, and BCBS.

For aroma, the KBS just doesn't have enough bourbon in the nose. My highest opinion goes to My Monkey's Got Wood and CW Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine and J.W.Lee's HarvestAle, and (I realize those aren't double stouts, they're just my top-smelling brews of all time. Ther

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 23:16:37 | More by martyl1000

rjp217

Massachusetts

4.64/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I finally had the pleasure of getting to try this the other night on draft at the Yard House, Fenway, Boston. I've been on the hunt for awhile and happened to run into it by chance so damn was I excited...

Poured into a tulip glass, appearance was jet black with about a 3/4" head. Overall it was a beautiful sight.

BOURBON. Smell and taste, you get a ton of it. The coffee, wood, vanilla and roasted malts rise to the forefront and then you get a heavy bourbon aftertaste. It all blends seamlessly and is extremely well done. At just over 11%, I found myself sipping most of the night.

This easily lived up to the hype and is a must find.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 13:04:30 | More by rjp217

Slay40

Michigan

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

First time having this beer, the build up was insane because of how coveted this beer is, i was lucky enough to get my hands on a couple bottles and thought its color was great, smell was great, and the taste was amazing with a good mouthfeel. Overall impressed.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 02:43:31 | More by Slay40

JDizzle

Indiana

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

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter. This is my first KBS and I'm pumped!

It pours really dark black with a nice rich brown head that ends up being a thin ring around the glass for a bit.

It smells of Bourbon!!,coffee and roasted malts. The bourbon is really present-more than I thought it would be.

The first sip is full of wood, bourbon, chocolate, and coffee. I can't beleive how much bourbon taste I am getting from this beer. I am all about bourbon barrel aging, but this intense!

At 11.2%, it never seemed HOT. The bourbon flavor is nice, but maybe a little over the top.
I would love to try it on tap or an aged version.

Had it on tap tonight and it was a lot better. I prefer this over CBS any day of the week!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 01:22:26 | More by JDizzle

schwemjw

Ohio

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

A: Deadly Black !! huge mocha creamy head that left fairly quickly after i started drinking but left great lacing. oh man this looks good.

S: WOW! there is so much roast in here! lots of caramel, espresso, dark coffee, and vanilla. there is nice bourbon and oak on the end. i cant wait to drink this!

T: a nice bourbon up front. vanilla, toffee, and burnt coffee in the middle with rum soaked raisens on the end. super complex. i found as i drank this it had 3 distinct verses. the first verse was when it was cold and it very sweet with alot of caramel and toffee with some coffee thrown in there. The second verse was where the bourbon, vanilla and oak came in. the final verse was very fruity with rasiens and figs. absolutely amazing!!

M: creamy like milk. no carbination. this was motor oil thick but it was oh so smooth.

O: Words can't even describe. i came into this beer with a lot of expectations and this exceeded all of them. i drank several glasses and it was just as good each time. a timeless classic. i'll give it my highest rating which is a 99. awesome, awesome, awesome.
2013 vintage.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2013 06:37:37 | More by schwemjw

RollBounce

New York

4.69/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

had at old toad thanks guys!
Dark black color, no carbonation, small brown rim. nose of pepper, cinnamon, and coffee, light dusty notes and cocoa powder. mothfeel is full with a zesty start, followed by coffee and a creamyness.

overall; A great and well made beer. Wish it was not so hyped. worth finding for beer snobs. but oddside ales mayan stout was just as great with similar notes.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 05:57:39 | More by RollBounce

welldigger888

South Carolina

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

Holy shit how bout a brew this is maybe the best brew yet

these guys are doin tghe deal.

how man i hope everybody gets to try this brew

world class for sure

Oh Fa this is good chit

WOW! tthis is some of the good chit that all ordred for the day!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 03:26:06 | More by welldigger888

Cubatobaco

Virginia

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

KBS - Founder's Snifter -My First

A - pitch black with a slippery lacing that recedes to an 1/8" white head

S - vanilla, dark chocolate, unmistakable bourbon barrel, dark roasted coffee, raisins, and dark fruit

T - plums followed by bitter chocolate, lingering spices of oak (vanilla) from the bourbon barrels that fades to a coffee finish.

M - spice, mouth coating, perfect balance, a finish that last 45+ seconds, great harmony

O - As a newcomer to the beer world, this is one of the greatest beers out there! Not because of the hype, but because of what it is. I've written about wine for 2 yrs and understand complexity and balance. Possibly one of the best stouts I've ever tasted! Thank God I have 3 left in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 02:38:15 | More by Cubatobaco

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.59/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into a tulip.

A - Pours black as hell, and with a hard pour generates almost no head at all, just a thin but dense layer and thick brown foam. Decent head retention with sticky spots of lacing.

S - Sweet vanilla, bourbon, oak, coffe roast. Roasted malt, tons of sweet aroma, with a big roasty coffee character. Bittersweet chocolate, as well as milk chocolate, with some molasses and maple notes. Just tons of roast, and tons of sweetness, with a big bourbon quality. A very big aroma overall.

T - Follows the nose closely, with tons of vanilla, bourbon, wood, coffee and chocolate. Big base of roasted malt, with a huge bourbon barrel character, with oak and sweet vanilla abound. Finishes with tons of bittersweet chocolate and coffee roast, with a subtle earthy character, and a twang of alcoholic warmth.

M - Thick, creamy and smooth. The carbonation is a little more lively than most stouts this size. Sticky on the lips, with a touch of warmth in the finish and a lingering roasty bitterness.

D - A huge stout with about as much flavor as you can possibly pack into one brew, but I'm not so sure it was worth the hype. It certainly had a massive bourbon and coffee flavor, but I think in the end it lacked a bit of complexity and depth. Great beer, and I couldn't be happier to have tried it, but probably not worth all the hype, in my honest opinion.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 00:51:16 | More by Converge

macher0

Kentucky

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

2013 Vintage. Fresh. Tulip glass.

A: Jet black. Opaque. Viscous. Small head that quickly retreats to virtually no film and frothy, but faint rim. Excellent lacing that are nearly permanent on tulip glass. As the glass is swirled, the viscosity results in a carmel-colored layer on the sides of the glass.

S: WOW! Initially sweet milk chocolate with a hint of bourbon/oak. As the beer opens, coffee and grain notes become noticeable, the bourbon/oak becomes stronger, and the chocolate turns to bitter-dark.

T: Layers of chocolate/coffee/bourbon-oak/nuts/grains. The finish is bitter coffee.

M: Multi-layered. Powerful. Thick. Full-bodied. Very smooth. This is my favorite aspect of this beer.

O: This beer delivers and lives up to the hype. The layers of flavor are incredible. Each note appears, then gives way to the next. This beer defiantly opens up, so be patient . This is a one-and-done beer for me. I usually like to begin a session with a KBS. It is difficult to cellar this ale because it is just that good.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:19:41 | More by macher0

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.39/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2013 Vintage. Having this one for the first time. Pulled out of the fridge and let warm for 30 minutes.

Appearance: Pitch black with visible streams of effervescence along the edges of the tulip glass. Modest half finger cap of dark brown foam. Got some good lacing as well.

Aroma: Lots of chocolate notes, both sweet and semi-sweet. Just a hint of vanilla and a touch of alcohol giving a nice bourbon aroma. Really not much in the nose but what's there is enjoyable.

Taste: A lot to digest here with a complexity that keeps shifting long after each sip. Starts with a lot of milk chocolate and a good charred malt backbone to keep it from getting too sweet. About halfway through you get a bit of a hop bitterness that sort of masks itself in the mocha liqueur-like flavor that the alcohol brings out. At 11.2% ABV it is possible to hide that flavor but it really works wonders in adding to the experience of this beer. The flavor and complexity hits a high note during and right after the finish. The palate is drowned in charred malt, hints of coffee, vanilla, and alcohol. This combination brings the bourbon to mind without it being forthright. The aftertaste lingers for a seemingly endless amount of time with black coffee bitterness, burnt chocolate, and a nice heat in the back of the throat. The oak-aging of this beer doesn't add very much oak flavor but it is probably the reason that all the flavors have matured and blended so well. One of those great beers where every sip is better than the last.

Mouthfeel: Just under full in body. Not really thin for what it is just not as thick as expected. Average carbonation for a BA beer but a vigorous pour is probably a good idea. A nice ease of drinkability.

Final Thoughts: I was very lucky to snag a bottle of this year's release and thoroughly enjoyed KBS. Founder's proves time and again that their seasonals are some of the best beers available. While KBS probably won't break my top 10, it is still a phenomenal beer that every beer geek should get the opportunity to try. Would I drink it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:52:46 | More by JamesMN

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.59/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pitch black, dark as you will find. Un inspiring dark brown head that fades pretty quickly to almost nothing. Lots of tiny bubbles of lacing with every sip that clings to the glass in small circles. Lots of coffee and dark chocolate in the nose. Some roasted notes and slight toffee also. Oak woodiness in the background. Alchol is definitly present. The taste is expresso, and rich, delicious, dark chocolate. Toasted flavors are there. Becomes boozy as it warms. There is an oak backbone all the way through. The delicious chocolate and coffee flavors linger into the aftertaste. Velvety mouthfeel on a full body. This is a very good breakfast stout. Makes you lick your lips with every sip.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:47:50 | More by Burkbom23

CMoPink

Michigan

4.79/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely love this beer. Got it on tap at the Founder's release party and it was just as delicious as it was talked up to be. I also have one bottle I am saving for a special occasion (I lied to someone and told them it was my birthday to get the bottle).

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 15:49:41 | More by CMoPink

RacerX5k

Pennsylvania

4.84/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had one single last year and one single bottle this year and was not impressed at all. Thin, black licorice, with an unpleasant aftertaste. That review would be a generous 3.0 very average. This is not that review. When I saw the draft pop up on my list at an out of the way bar I purchased a good bit of Heady at last year, I thought, well, if I dont like it its only 7 bucks, and if I dont go after work Ill never know. So off I went. And what a pleasant surprise.

Walked in there is only 2 people in the bar and thats good. My 8 oz pour listed at $7 was only $5 and thats better. Beer looks real good, smells just ok (which does get better as you go), hints of chocolate, coffee, bourbon. First taste blows me away, nothing like the bottle. Big chocolate, coffee flavors mixing with a beautiful bourbon barrel in perfect harmony. Finishes dry, stout like dark fruits. Really impressive balance of flavor, thick and rich. 3 pours later I had my 24 oz bomber equivalent for $15 now thats what Im talking about. Something to chew on and contemplate this rainy, quiet, Monday afternoon. Founders you have finally impressed this Bourbon County lover. I will never care to have just one bottle, but this was a real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 11:26:30 | More by RacerX5k

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.64/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

The beer pours black like motor oil, black and almost sludge-like. The beer pours with a small khaki head that fizzles away to just a ring around the glass. The head leaves a lacing of thin dry velvety bubbles in root-like tendrils. The beer is properly impenetrable to the eye, like the infinite blackness of space. On the nose, the beer smells of meaty roasted coffee, creamy dark chocolate, a little touch of charred oak, and even a hint of sea salt chocolate. Bourbon is pretty weak in the nose, which is not a bad thing. What does seem to be there, from the bourbon scent is blended beneath the thick roasted coffee notes, but does show a touch of booze. On the tongue, the beer tastes smoothly sweet and then bitter with a slight savory touch, a lasting wetness from acid, and a final light burn of boozy alcohol. In flavor, the beer begins as sweet roasted coffee with touches of creamy dark chocolate, and boozy bourbon hiccups that add a sticky sweetness to the beer. A dry roasted bitter from the coffee flavors sits through the second half of the taste and into the aftertaste along with touches of tannic oak barrel. The finish is sweet with bourbon and smooth milk chocolate and the aftertaste is slightly bitter but sweet with chocolate and bourbon lingering. In the mouth, the beer feels like heaven. Thick and creamy with a carbonation of velvet softness that caresses the tongue beautifully. This is the best feeling stout that has ever sat within my mouth. It leaves the mouth slightly dry and sticky with lingering sweetness from the booze and malts. Overall this beer lives up to its hype. It feels amazing in the mouth, and carries the perfect amount of sweet bourbon and oak characters. The coffee and chocolate flavors are much more prevalent in the flavors. This beer is excellent, and by far the best bourbon stout I’ve tried to date. I only wish I could actually get a 4 pack of it in my area…

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 00:19:09 | More by Maxwell

BobaFret

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2013 batch.

A - Same appearance as FBS: black as motor oil with a quickly dissipating light tan/coffee head.

S - The bourbon barrel character is very strong; a slight hint of chocolate is there.

T - The bourbon barrel character is perfectly balanced. Unlike with the smell you can definitely taste the coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt with a slight bitterness. This is an amazingly well-crafted stout/beer.

M - Extremely smooth. Not too thick, not too thin; just right.

O - Perfection. Beg, borrow, or steal to get this beer; it lives up to the hype.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 03:21:26 | More by BobaFret

Ellis_the_Executive

Kentucky

4.81/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

4 bottles split up between 3 of my friends and I. Each bottle was poured into a snifter.

A: Black, coal black, poured with fingers worth of dark khaki head. Lacing is exceptional.

S: The nose on this beer is everything a person could ask for. Dark chocolate, fresh espresso, top-shelf bourbon, oak, hints of vanilla and malt just take your breath away. The balance on the nose is fantastic, as well, not one scent dominates the rest.

T: This beer is ridiculously rich. The chocolate and coffee notes come through first and absolutely fill your mouth before the bourbon, vanilla, and oak characters come through and wash it away. This beer warms your body the whole way down. It also gets better as it warms. The chocolate and coffee notes mellow out and the beer becomes far more balanced as it gets warmer.

M: Thick. Life drinking alcoholic mocha. Creamy, full, and smooth.

O: This is the best bourbon barrel her I've ever had. The rich coffee and bourbon notes linger with you and it absolutely gives you something to remember. Founder's has absolutely killed it with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:22:42 | More by Ellis_the_Executive