Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Founders Brewing Company

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

indytdmiller

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

So I had this beer the past two years right at the release, so my review should be taken with that in mind. Maybe another year of aging would fix some of the things I didnt enjoy.

Served in snifter at Founder's.

Appearance
Black. Nice tan head that took only a minute to nearly completely disappear.

Aroma
Strong Bourbon aroma, slight alcohol burn, dark chocolate bitter smell and subtle coffee roastiness. Great smelling Beer! Everything you want in a big bourbon imperial stout!

Taste
I expected to be almost overwhelmed by the bourbon based on the smell, but was surpised to find the coffee as the dominant flavor. Kind of disappointed by the lack of oak and bourbon notes. They were there, but just not in the amount that the aroma let on.

Mouthfeel
Much lighter mouthfeel than I had expected and compared to other imperial stouts. With that said, heavy enough to carry those delicious flavors we all know and love.

Overall
Still a great Imperial Stout and may really benefit from another year of aging. I was able to get six bottles and dont plan on touching another one until next nov/dec at the earliest.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 14:51:40 | More by indytdmiller

mobius387

Wisconsin

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

had on tap at the palm tavern, which is also where i was fortunate enough to have CBS on tap last october! (taken from notes)

appearance: jet black, fluffy brown head, like liquid oil, perfect looking stout

aroma: big nose of chocolate, oak, burbon, some vanilla, a little hop to it. very nice

palate: very smooth for a big body, pretty strong sense of alcohol to it, but at 11%+ thats expected, not very carbonated, sits amazingly well in the mouth

taste: always stunned by how awesome this tastes. big time chocolate and coffee, almost syrupy in flavor, then you get the oak and bourbon with vanilla all at once. very very robust flavors, just fantastic

overall: its beers like this that make founders the best BA brewery in the country, hands down. i look forward to having this every year in march, and every year i am not let down. its too bad it was very hot off the shelves in bottles this year, but im very glad i got to have this on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2012 14:52:53 | More by mobius387

challenja

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served On Tap! at Big Hunt DC

A: Midnight strikes and plunges its dark stake into this Michigan brew witha light whisper of a mocha froth covering a dark vamperic heart.

S: Bourbon barrel cherries soaked in Vanilla oak, dark molasses malt brown maple syrup.

T: This is a bourbon monster! Definitely the biggest booze flavored Stout that I have had. It is thick and rich with cocoa malt nibs. Tons of black cherry. Loads of burnt barrel and sweet sappy sugary bourbon corn mash.

M: This is one full bodied super smooth bourbon stout. You can see where the hype and demand is for this beast. It's sweet luscious cream with a big time boozy black pepper back bite. This viscous nature of this brew must be applauded like a pricey chewy Bordeaux wine.

O: This is a damn outstanding beer that is deserving of the HYPE. My number one Bourbon stout by far. This is not for the regular beer Fan Boy.

(side note, drank this in a bottle the night before and I must say its more richer and thicker in bottle form!)

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 15:15:43 | More by challenja

chromemittenman

Michigan

4.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this on tap 5 times since the release March 10th. Once at Founders and four other times at an unmentioned Lakeshore spot.

This is the third year I have had KBS.

Founders did not disappoint. The aroma is the same amazing aroma I came to love when I first tried KBS, bourbon, chocolate and coffee.

The mouthfeel is so smooth, I love the bourbon up front and the fact IMO you can taste the chocolate, almost suspended in the beer.

The warmer it gets, the better it is. The last time I had it, it was poured in a 23 oz snifter.

Phenomenal, I can't wait to crack a bottle here in the near future and see how it compares.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 00:43:47 | More by chromemittenman

gskitt

New York

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

This was simply an experience. Had on tap at spring beer fest. Poured a viceral inky black with a small coffee colored head that was gone in seconds. Scent was overwhelming. Huge vanilla and bourbon notes, flooded my nose. Taste was a remarkable balanced blend of vanilla, bourbon, char, and some butter baking chocolate. Bourbon was the dominant element. Mouthfeel was smooth, creamy, not too thick. Not much to critique here, world class.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 02:06:09 | More by gskitt

bszern

Massachusetts

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

Had on tap during the Evacuation Day bar crawl.

Smell was complete booze...smelled like Jim Beam. Not terrible, but a little over the top (but what am I supposed to expect with a bourbon stout?)

Taste was great. A little boozy, but very balanced. I don't really know what else to say about this...if you can get it, give it a shot--you won't be disappointed!

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2012 01:28:36 | More by bszern

MichPaul

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I'm having this on-tap right now at Founders itself. I love this beer, but thought it would knock my socks off from the hype it receives.

L-The look is the typical black that most any stout I see would have.
S-The smell was GREAT! You could smell all the greatness of a stout, along with the pleasant smell of the bourbon within.
T-In the BA description of this beer it says: "Note, this is NOT simply barrel-aged Breakfast Stout. It is an entirely different beer." I kinda wish it was barrel-aged Breakfast Stout actually. KBS seemed to be lacking the extra flavors that Breakfast Stout seems to deliver, even though KBS has the extra bourbon added.
M-This beer doesn't disappoint in the feel area. It goes down so smooth, just like Founders seems to perfect in about everything I have tried! Even though this beer flirts with 12ABV, you would never know it!
O-This is a GREAT beer, but not my favorite that Founders puts out. I guess it does beat any other barrel aged stout that I have tried to date though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 19:00:42 | More by MichPaul

GBRunner24

Michigan

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

Not going to do a full review, but I'm sitting at Founders right now and life couldn't be better.

KBS is an amazing beer, but honestly I enjoy Backwoods Bastard a bit more. Mouthfeel is great; smell is full of chocolate notes, coffee, and beer. First taste is fantastic, but the alcoholy burn at the end is what pulls the score down for me. I wish I could've gotten a bottle to age it a bit, however I'm glad I could experience the last keg of KBS of the year

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 18:41:24 | More by GBRunner24

andrewjraab

Michigan

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

Reviewed on 3/10 at the taproom release party. I first must say that the hype surrounding this beer is simply amazing. A few weeks back at the West Michigan Beer Festival ($44 entry fee) I waited over an hour in line for the founders tent to get a 3oz sample. After I had my sample, some guy came running out of the tent...."Nooo, the KBS is out!" I thought it was good enough to give it a go for the Tap room release party in which I just attended. More notes along the lines of the hype machine for this beer... People were camping out last night at Founders to get there hands on a case. People follow the distributors trucks around just to buy the beer and sell it on ebay or craigslist. I found a fellow beer lover selling a 4 pack of the 2011 for 34 bucks ( a bargain) so I'm jumping on it. ( I will review that later)....okay on with the review.

A - Black as night and thick. No sunlight getting through this blanket of black velvet. No head to show for and not much lacing. Each blanket of lacing disappeared with each new drink. As a swirled my glass around, the beer left nice "plinko board" bubbles sticking to the glass for a brief moment.

S - First thing that pops out is the bourbon followed by sweet notes of maple syrup, chocolate, and coffee. I'm not a big bourbon follower, but this still does a number on the senses.

T - Strong bourbon flavor up front followed by a smooth blend of the sweet characteristics and a bitter bourbon finish. It is absolutely amazing the different jigs this beer dances on the tongue.

O - This is one hell of a great beer....but I have a hard time with the fact that it is so hyped up. I actually prefer the breakfast stout to this any day of the week. I wonder if it wasn't so limited in supply if it would be so hyped up? Do you get the people that see that it is so highly rated and feel that they have to judge it that way just because they are supposed to? Don't get me wrong, I think it is incredibly smooth and would keep this in my regular rotation (if supply permitted), but I just don't see the hype surrounding it. Founders marketing folks are absolute geniuses.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2012 06:59:27 | More by andrewjraab

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served on tap at The Pony Bar in New York, NY

A: Pours a midnight black with a thin light tan head which reduces over time but leaves a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. Moderate lacing is observed.

S: A very delicious smelling beer - lot of dark roasted malts, chocolate, coffee ,vanilla, and oak. Lots of complexity, the hints of bourbon from the barrels is very noticeable.

T: What a great complex and well balanced beer. Starts with a lot of coffee/espresso and chocolate flavors, moves to an oaky vanilla, and then finishes with a linger coffee bitterness.

M: Medium to full bodied with light to moderate carbonation. Very creamy and very smooth.

O: A fantastic beer that really hides the high ABV very well. I look forward to this beer every year in the late winter and this year again it does not disappoint. Great complexity to the smell + flavor and a great balance between the sweetness + bitterness in the flavor. I wish I could get this one more easily.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 01:04:23 | More by dbrauneis

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-dark brown black color with a small to medium tan head and some retention

S-coffee and chocolate with hints of bourbon

T-rich chocolate and coffee with a nice overlay of bourbon and hints of oak

F-full body with light carbonation and thick, creamy feel

O-another great RIS from Founders with great flavor and balance

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 19:00:54 | More by MDDMD

jegross2

Illinois

4.97/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewing the infamous KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) from Founders Brewing Company. This beer was offered as part of a special bourbon themed beer tapping at the Brickhouse BBQ in Madison -- one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Due to a misunderstanding, a friend attending the event and GREAT customer service on the part of Brickhouse, I was able to enjoy a glass of KBS with my meal!
Score: 98

10 oz pour served in a globe glass from a 2011 vintage keg tapped at the Brickhouse BBQ on 01/21/12.

Appearance: The body is a completely opaque, jet black color -- almost looks like used motor oil. Served with no head save for a thin dark tan ring around the glass. Leaves an oily film of lacing along the side of the glass. 4.5/5

Smell: Dark chocolate, light vanilla, burnt sugar and smooth bourbon. Some tobacco and dark fruit. A very rich, slightly sweet aroma. 5/5

Taste: Dark, chewy chocolate and sweet raisins/fig upfront with a smooth bourbon and vanilla backbone throughout. There is no real alcohol bite to the bourbon. Some brown sugar and marshmallow on the midpalate. Increasing levels of bourbon marinated dark fruit flavors. Leathery tobacco. Lightly oaky/woody flavors mixed in there too. Finish is sweet bourbon soaked raisins and oaky chocolate. The raisin/bourbon flavors of the finish really linger. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Mouthfeel is silky smooth. Finish is a little sweet, but not nearly as "sweet" as Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout. 5/5

Overall: A ridiculously flavorful, balanced stout. Definitely a sipper, but this is not a beer you'd want to chug anyways. KBS is loaded with sweet robust stout flavors with all the deliciousness of bourbon without the alcohol bite. If not for Bourbon County Brand Stout, KBS would be my favorite barrel aged beer. This is a brew to seek out.

Recommendation: A must-seek out brew for everyone who can stomach any degree of bourbon flavors. I was not a fan of bourbon flavors in beer until recently, and even back in the day I enjoyed this beer.

Pairings: Duck legs or roasted duck.

Cost: $19.99 for a four pack.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 05:56:20 | More by jegross2

unclejazz

New York

4.45/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I am glad I was able to attend the 4th Ave. Pub's tasting of all the Breakfast stouts. The CBS was still a bit boozy for my tastes, but he KBS fit my bill a bit better. It looked like a solid imperial stout, with a very dark, almost black body with a thin dark tan head. It smelled of bourbon, vanilla, roasted malts. All in good portions. The taste was great, but I missed the maple that CBS had. There must be some perfect middle ground for the smoothness of KBS, and the sweet notes of CBS. Maybe my perfect Founder's beer is the yet to be released Curmudgeon's Better Half. I am very interested in picking up some bottles of this and seeing how it ages. Overall, kudos to Michigan, Founder's, and the bourbon barrel, who without this beer would never be possible.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 03:03:12 | More by unclejazz

AApparel

California

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

A: Pours Dark Black with a light carmel head.

S: As soon as it was placed in front of me, it overwhelmed me. Definitely could smell the Bourbon & Chocolate, with hints of coffee, oak, toasted malt. Instantly made my mouth water.

T: Very complex. Flavors coming from everywhere. The first favors to come though was with coffee and toasted malt, then it gives way to chocolate and some alcohol. Lastly you taste the bourbon and oak aftertaste. It's not an overwhelming Bourbon taste though.

M: Low carbonation, with a heavy to medium viscosity.

O: I had waited a long time to try this, since I live on the West Coast. This was everything I had hoped for. Definitely an amazing beer, that lives up to the hype. Was able to get this at 3 Floyd's Brew Pub, to my surprise. I went there for all their beers, but had to try this one before all the others.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 16:52:15 | More by AApparel

scottyr2

Ohio

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

Fortunate enough to have this on tap at Big Beers and Barleywine tasting in Dayton Ohio.

Incredibly black with a nice, tight toffee colored head. The smell of the bourbon is prominent, along with a nice mixture of vanilla, butterscotch and chocolate.

Taste- wow. The sweetness of the bourbon blends beautifully with the chocolate and slight scorched butterscotch tastes. From sip to swallow, a wonderful experience. This is a must taste for any big stout drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 00:55:39 | More by scottyr2

QuentinCall

Georgia

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

On-tap at Ormsby's in the ATL.
Very nearly black with a quickly dissipating head, minuscule lacing. Wonderfully dark, dense and gentle, not blatantly upfront about any of its 11%. The wood, vanilla and coffee are all here, well-balanced and mutually coalesced. Yes, the appearance and mouthfeel may be somewhat lacking - both are, ultimately, perfectly reasonable, just spartan and slack - but the taste makes this a non-issue. It is well-rounded, extremely drinkable and elegantly indicative of its various components. A borderline ideal Imperial Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2011 02:04:12 | More by QuentinCall

hopking311

Florida

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

Ok so 2010 vintage KBS takes the cake I cant lie.. Side by side notes were extremely hard especially after drinking a beer or two and then having to deal with 2 of what are possibly the best beers Ive ever had and had only heard about prior to this day not to mention 11+ octane for each..

Here we go with 2011.. keep in mind these notes precede the vintage 2010.

2mm tan head dissapates to awesome glass coating lace.

smells of rich bourbon oak, chocolate, getting more coffee notes on this one than the aged bottle. f..king incredible nose

smooth still full body mouthfeel.. Creamy

immediately tasting chocolate, coffee, roasted malts.. trailing off ..

Overall... Drunk...

I cant tell you how lucky I feel to have had this experience.. Great beers side by side..
Cheers Ben..

Poured Deep black

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 17:34:35 | More by hopking311