Founders KBS (2017 vintage) | Beer Geek Nation Craft Beer Reviews

[@aaronrossell6338]

Hi Chris! KBS has been made the same way since 2007, however our ability to heighten a level of quality has changed. Coffee is fresh roasted and ground for each brew, the barrels are all freshly used after bourbon-extraction, and no coffee is added post barrel. Same length of time, around a year, for barrel-aging. The only thing I can think of that changed the specs since 2007 would be our more complete blending now that we have larger vessels to homogenize prior to packaging. Hope that answers any questions you have about KBS. Cheers brother!

[@robfohl]

Please come back! So many new beers to review, and you already have all the production equipment...miss you!

[@robfohl]

Chris, I still go back and look at your old reviews, they are time tested, and still hold true..

[@ao_qd]

"It has a standard to hold itself up to...a price point to hold itself up to." Exactly. People are saying that this beers needs a year, and I think that's bullshit. We should be getting a great beer now and rewarded with an even better one outta the cellar.

[@BeerGeekNation]

I agree 100%!!

[@brendanhogan4200]

Like Abyss....comes out with a best after date. If you think it's best after that date then release it after that date. Shouldn't release a beer that you, the brewery, thinks it's not ready yet either. Don't expect the public to do your job for you.

[@ao_qd]

Brendan Hogan Yeah, always hated that...glad to see they don't print that anymore. Regardless, the Abyss variants kill KBS.

[@DraygonToo]

Quan Dang Agreed 100%

[@ouzer]

I haven't had the 2017 KBS yet but I recently had a 2016 bottle that I kept stored away for more than six months, and the taste for that one wasn't coffee forward (thankfully). Now with Breakfast Stout, all I can taste is coffee with that one. I actually prefer Backwoods Bastard.

[@wolco003]

Backwoods is tasty...Breakfast Stout is terrible.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Backwoods is probably their best beer

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Another great review Chris. I hate it when they start taking info off the bottles. I love IBUs and ABV info and anything else I can get and it's just disappointing when it's not there.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Apparently its there its just in white ink and stamped on the back. My stamp was so bad I couldnt read it thought haha

[@BroderickTrygoinghamhd]

Did you have it cold or warm? I have found that with it cold the chocolate comes out more.

[@ericdmason]

I said the same thing about Breakfast Stout this past year. I get it, but when you put "double chocolate" on the label and you cant taste it past the overwhelming coffee flavor, that's a problem for me.

[@BeerGeekNation]

yep exactly

[@sirlordford]

Thought this year's was better than 2016. The price is a bit daunting for sure but in VA the grocery stores had it for $21-$24 a 4 pack.

[@BeerGeekNation]

that seems to be the average price

[@nwoking666]

They do tell you the ABV but it's damn near impossible to read. On the back label there's a gap between the dark lettering. In that gap it tells you bottle date and ABV. Of course it's stamped in white and the numbers nearly overlap each other. My beer said 11.8%. Also mine seemed to lack the coffee flavor. Had vanilla and bourbon flavors out of the fridge and then I got more chocolate as the beer warmed up.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Oh i did see that but could not read it. Why they are using white ink on light paper is beyond me

[@Nathan-yg6wh]

I know it's not barrel-aged, but can you do a review of Dogfish Beer for Breakfast? I'm wondering how that stacks up alongside the others. Thanks.

[@BeerGeekNation]

ill have to see if I can find a bottle

[@pappydaddy6805]

do you think that the barrels weren't as wet as normal? This was creamier and thicker mouth feel then years past. I personally really like this years.

[@BeerGeekNation]

That is entirely possible. There may have been some blending as well but who knows for sure

[@jesusdiaz91016]

can u review lagunitas waldos 2017

[@BeerGeekNation]

Wednesday

[@jesusdiaz91016]

ok thanks chris i really like you're videos. i feel like your reviews are always on point .

[@wolco003]

Any Treasure Seekers found it in San Diego yet??? I hope tomorrow is the day!

[@jesusdiaz91016]

I just tried it at the new lagunitas brewery in azusa. I thought it was very good. I wouldn't know how to describe it like chris does but i give the waldos an A+.

[@jesusdiaz91016]

I found at my friends liquor store. Just picked up 2 six packs.

[@MattAllen10S]

You're dead on Chris. The coffee takes away from the barrel goodness we used to love.

[@RRCZ4A]

I'm confused. You raved in your 2016 review about how great it was, now you're saying 2016 was subpar. What changed??

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah for some reason I remembered 2016 being mediocre. Not sure what went wrong haha

[@ChristianCaldeira]

It was fairly easy to pick up here San Diego once it dropped. BevMo was selling it at around $21.99/4pk, and craft shops were doing individual bottles at $6.50-$6.99. I shared a bottle with some friends and yeah, soooo much coffee. We had it in a shared flight alongside Parabola, High West-ified, and Uncle Jacob's Stout. All of us agreed that High West-ified easily beat out KBS. And on top of that, High West-ified was only $11.99/4pk here in SD lol I don't know how they offer a beer of that calibre at such an amazing price. Lagunitas is the Robin Hood of the craft beer world lol

[@wolco003]

No, no...High Westified was in 6 packs for $13-14!!! Sooooo yummy! (still got a case...shhhh!) that said....North County finally got the "new" batch of sucks...66 days old!!! CREST distributing SUCKS BALLS!!!!!

[@ChristianCaldeira]

True! Totally was a 6pk, I flubbed the comment. I still have three packs, so you think I'd have gotten it right. :P

[@wolco003]

Ha! Glad I am not the only one hoarding this nectar!!! You havent run unto Waldo's yer have you?

[@ChristianCaldeira]

Haven't picked any up yet, but it's at all the BevMo's around me and a lot of craft shops.

[@wolco003]

I would suggest doing so if you want any. SHOCKED bevmo got any. Holiday in Escondido got it in 4/4/17 and it flew out the door. I found another local shop that got 5 cases in. I just picked up 2 cases!!! 2 or 3 6 packs left on shelf...Owner is kicking himself as the distributor offered more. Stoked. Thanks for the response and go grab some treasure quick! Cheers!

[@ralphjames6044]

Does this beer taste anything like Miller Lite?

[@AnAlbanyExpression]

The two are indistinguishable.

[@ralphjames6044]

I was just kidding Phillip, sorry.

[@BeerGeekNation]

More like Miller Lite then anything

[@jjbasab]

Last time I had this beer, I think I got it from "Al's of Hampden" in Enola PA back in 2010.

[@BeerGeekNation]

He actually stopped selling non Pizza Boy beers in six packs

[@Yooriber]

it's on the back of the bottle in white print 12.31% alcohol

[@donco14]

ABV is printed on the rear label. However, it didn't print very well so it's hard to see. 11.8%

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah the stamp on my bottles is almost non existent

[@TimFitzwater]

I payed 9 bucks for a draft at a local release - unfortunately I was just getting over a cold so I couldn't taste 100%. but I agree it needs to be near perfect with that hype and the price point.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Damn that is crazy at 9$. They can keep it

[@danmelotti6270]

I got some kbs this year but ever since I've been getting SMS for the last couple years I much prefer that and I also got high westified this year and that was my fav. I thought 17 kbs was good but I actually liked 16 better I thought it had more boozy barrel and even the recent one I dug out from my cellar still had that quality. It def is over hyped especially with so many other and some better offerings out there

[@BeerGeekNation]

High Westified and SMS both kill this beer for sure!

[@yourdedede0]

I enjoyed this one, but the price was absolutely absurd. I live in Michigan, where founders is located, and most stores were asking upwards of $9 or $10 per 12 ounce bottle for a beer that is slightly better than New Hollands Dragons Milk.

[@Cozmo2k4]

Drink it next year. The 16's are tasty af right now. I drank one 17 and I'm on the same page, way too much coffee. Cellar it!

[@BeerGeekNation]

I still have a vertical back to 12 so I always try to put one or two away

[@brendonprescott5146]

Tough considering the nose on this beer is rich in the vanilla and coconut you're used to getting with BA Stouts. However if you drink this beer warmed up a little, you get a little more of the barrel and a bit less of the coffee. Could do better with age possibly.

[@craig6903]

Are you saying that if this was a blind taste test, you would have given it an A- or better?

[@BeerGeekNation]

If I was told what style it was then no. My immediate thought was there is almost no barrel

[@brendanhogan4200]

IMO Founders has got used to the acclaim that this beer used to get and have let it go on the back burner while they are focusing on their other BA beers, specifically the Cellar Series. You shouldn't forget about the beer that I believe put them on the map.

[@BeerGeekNation]

I agree 100%. Maybe they just phone this one in now

[@rodnone5066]

You should consider doing a re-review in 6-8 months. Let the coffee calm down a bit. I'd like to see how your thoughts change with just a little age.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah I set 2 aside to cellar

[@vtgreen8022]

it's on the back of the bottle in white it's very faded it's 02/22/17 abv 11.8 enjoy🖒

[@scottford89]

I get BCBS and SMS yearly. I haven't even attempted to buy KBS since 2015. Still have 1x '15 in the back of the fridge somewhere, but I think the two I mentioned are better. I'll even go as far as say many of the Dragon's Milk variants are superior. Still a great beer to try, but I won't go out of my way for it. Now CBS... I need to try this unicorn.

[@BeerGeekNation]

I couldnt agree with you more! Quality and avilability there are a ton more beers out there that are just as good

[@shadowseal22]

Said this on last year's review, but this is a super interesting beer to go back to. The last time, before 2017 and Founders moving into Oregon, that I had a KBS was in 2010, and man I remember that beer being crazy. It is interesting to see how the style has shifted in the time between. Just like other old guard bourbon beers (cough cough I am looking at you Mother of All Storms) it is interesting how little barrel we used to need to go crazy. However, with fresh eyes, I still think this beer is great. I'd wish they'd either jut drop it down to the Backwoods Bastard price, or just make more of it to drop the price, but the beer itself is wonderful. I wish they'd just put out the base beer as "Imperial Breakfast Stout" or something, because it is great. Also are you planning to pickup/review the New Southern Tier 2x Unfiltered. For a hazy IPA coming off the east coast it has a nice note of the way we make Hazy IPA out here on the west coast. It, for a brewery that makes sup-par IPA, was a nice surprise.

[@wolco003]

Backwoods Bastard is tasty...

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah your right, there are always shifts in styles and OG beers but there are still a few that hold up. This one I think is middle of the pack as far as BA stouts go

[@BeerGeekNation]

Backwoods is fantastic!!

[@D35TR00]

What?!?!! The coffee is perfect! I think they need to age it more to get more bourbon.

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah they supposedly age it for a year but who knows for sure

[@HueyPLewis]

I felt the same way about PM Damn. You ever had it? I heard such great things, I tried it. It was as bitter and nasty. Had even a chemical flavor too it. Too much coffee. Not good at all. Wonder what you think.

[@dwj0nes]

totally agree not enough barrel

[@dwj0nes]

24.99 pre tax for a 4 pack!

[@benjaminsmith9922]

$9.99 a bottle in Florida. Felt crazy paying over $40 for a 4 pack

[@fathom407]

Benjamin Smith I got it for $6.50 a bottle/$24.99 a 4 pack here in Orlando

[@BeerGeekNation]

That is insane pricing!!!

[@strassafrass1]

couldn't agree more

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah was hoping for more

[@buckn5]

No intro?

[@BeerGeekNation]

Long story short is that I left my YCN and have to reedit the video and change the music since I dont have the rights to it anymore

[@buckn5]

YCN?

[@tsubakichan]

I wasn't impressed with 2017 when I had it on tap last week. Although strangely, I thought the entire beer was muted - only a hint of bourbon, and only a hint of coffee that you had to try to look for it in order to taste. And I sipped it over a span of 30 minutes to let it warm. I did just pick up a 4-pack last night though, to see how it ages. If what you had is coffee dominant, I wonder if it's to allow people to age it? Because coffee is one of the flavors that drops off, so maybe Founders optimized it for saving and drinking it down the road. Just a thought.

[@BeerGeekNation]

YEah maybe that would make sense

[@Trollytuff]

I prefer Lagunitas High Westified to to this. I've felt pretty underwhelmed by KBS over the last few years.

[@BeerGeekNation]

I would say that has been the number 1 comment on this video and I agree 100%. High Westified blows this beer out of the water

[@dd3mon]

I went to a vertical with 15,16 & 17 on tap. The 17 was the standout favorite, FAR thicker mouthfeel, more of a boozy, bourbony sweetness, and way less bitter coffee - much more along the lines of a BCBS. I agree the 15 and especially 16 were.. super overrated and even bad for the money they're asking - but the 17 I'm happy with. Found a few bottles, haven't opened any yet, will soon to compare.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah this years is better then it has been just not great

[@XTheSonofTheSunX]

i have still yet to have this beer, i will grab it if i see it, as we do get founders out heres. cheers 😛

[@BeerGeekNation]

Cheers!

[@blackmetalden]

Surprised you still gave it a B+ rating, seemed more like a C+ or B- from what you said.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah its solid just diesnt live up the hype

[@donco14]

I still think it's a very good BA stout. It's much better at 6-9 month after bottling, IMO

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah for me there are just so many other options that are just as good if not better and easier to get

[@mikaelfrisk8965]

Totaly agree with you, when i tried first time i gave it 3.5/5. 6 months later i gave it 4.5/5

[@poshzombie]

I think Founder's is totally going for quantity over quality. This year I saw KBS *everywhere* whereas a few years ago you had to be at the right place at the right time or know someone. And although it being scarce, I'm sure, plays a part in how it's rated, I think objectively the taste is not there anymore, it's basically Founder's Imperial Stout with some extra bourbon thrown in. A lot more people get to try KBS now, but not the KBS that put it on top of the heap sadly IMHO.

[@Jimmy3581]

You don't get free beers like Greg. You should because you are certainly good enough. Cheers!

[@kanuckbrewero6118]

I wonder if the 6 thumbs down are about the reviewer or the beer, not clear to me.

[@BeerGeekNation]

I always get at least a few. Its cool. Haters gonna hate etc

[@systemtrend3194]

Lagunitas High Westified blows KBS and Bourbon County away given the price points.

[@gilbertmcswiggens8700]

idk man, ive always loved KBS it's possible im just a fanboy. I agree it may have fallen off but hey it's still really good and more drinkable than BCS. I could drink a KBS every night of the week but BCS? hell no. Idk there both good. I think im just a fan boy i def gave this year an A Great review Chris Cheers

[@BeerGeekNation]

Its not a bad beer by any stretch I just dont feel that it is worth the hype and price anymore

[@gilbertmcswiggens8700]

I respect your opinion Cheers!

[@goombas3040]

Ive always thought this was one of the most over rated beers. That being said, this was my fav vintage because of the intense coffee. I do agree about the no barrel and can see why you and others would ding it for that.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah this years was kinda meh

[@wolco003]

Their Breakfast stout has too much coffee IMO as well...

[@BeerGeekNation]

hahah well I would like to taste the barrel flavors as well and that is hard to do through all of the coffee

[@invinciblejets4690]

I still don't understand why people chase this down...super thin basically no barrel character. Why don't they just make this year round? But the hype is stuck in the past. I understand this beer came from a time when BBA stouts were not everywhere. But they are now. Time to turn this into a shelf turd. Now don't get me wrong it's an awesome beer. Just not somthing that warrants the hype, price and rarity..

[@invinciblejets4690]

It's literally the hopslam of stouts imo.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah they could easily produce this year rouind now

[@BeerGeekNation]

hahah yessir

[@dgisgd]

The price goes up and the quality goes down. Seems like this happens a lot.

[@BeerGeekNation]

yep its par for the course

[@lordredbeard7791]

If you look on the back of the bottle, right below the "What we've got here..." and right above the government warning, the ABV and IBUs are written (but I don't even see IBUs on my bottle) in white, but you have to find good lighting to even see it. Bad place to write it, but it's there. Mine says '2 bottled i' next line says '2/23/17' and last line says '11.8 Alc Vo'. Yes, it says 'Vo' not even 'Vol'. Very poor job with the printing. Even less impressed with the quality of the KBS beer itself the last few years.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah and the damn ink is white and hard to read against the tan

[@AnokaCountyUnggh]

Agreed - Way way to much coffee.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yessir!

[@Jimmy3581]

I disagree. Coffee needs to be in front seat of any imperial stout. Last year I thought vanilla was in front seat. I disagree with your verdict.

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

To much coffe, it'll be a pass for me on this one.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Cheers!

[@mattr3562]

Good but not great. Way overrated & overpriced. Bourbon County blows it away!

[@BeerGeekNation]

absolutelyt!!

[@brendanhogan4200]

Sure....as long as you don't mind supporting the devil...

[@mattr3562]

Brendan Hogan Maybe your independent heroes at Founders should produce a better beer, instead of living off of past accolades. This beer is lazy, thin, & boring

[@DraygonToo]

Matt R I agree with you. I was talking about InBev in my comment above. In regards to KZbin being a mom and pop shop. That same argument has been used with food chains etc...the difference though is you don't have companies using the bs tactics that inbev does. Read about what they are doing in China. I know it's a personal choice but I do not support ANY brewery or beer owned or produced by InBev. There are plenty of other great beers on the market that I prefer to give money to and not support them. and if you look lower in the comments I address the fact that Founders is dropping the ball on KBS

[@mattr3562]

DraygonToo Being angry & refusing to buy the products of a Micro that was purchased by a Macro doesn't hurt the big boys that own them. It's the employees that still work at brewery that are trying to make a living and support a family that it really screws over because guess what, that small brewery folds, the big macro will move on & buy another. Life is too short to not drink great beer & yes I do get bummed when breweries are bought out but Ballast Point & Lagunitas are still producing great stuff & they aren't independent anymore

[@gregdpw]

I really couldn't taste any barrel. Tasted like breakfast stout to me

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yep that was what I got to

[@massivebeers]

Meh ... for a coffee and chocolate barrel aged beer it was balanced as fuck for me. Too coffee forward? First time I've ever heard that with and overtly, non astringent coffee base. Barrel Soft ... chocolate soft ... roasted malts soft .... coffee soft ... etc soft ... apparently we drank different beer. ... don't chase that hype.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yeah ive had 2 bottles now and each has been very coffee forward. I agree they hype train is real and not worth boarding

[@adamsbeerblog1212]

Having this now for the first time. This has always been on my beer bucket list, and I have to say I'm disappointed. Tastes pretty average for all the hype it gets.

[@BeerGeekNation]

yeah there are much better out there

[@morales1190]

I had this beer for the first time recently. Way over hype, not worth it's price. Lagunitas High Westified is a way better beer than KBS. And it's easier to find and way cheaper.

[@BeerGeekNation]

Yep high westified is god tier stuff

[@morales1190]

especially for the price. I hear KBS doesn't age well. Westified tastes better 6 months after it's release. I guess I'll have wait and see.

[@Jrackr10]

Wholly freakin desktop bottles, surprised you're not whacking them......overhyped and too hard to get for no reason, middle finger to this beer.

[@BeerGeekNation]

hahah yeah I just shot an unboxing video about 10 mins before I shot this