Founders Brewing Co.
Grand Rapids , MI
Available: DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, VA, WI
An imperial stout brewed with coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year.
ABV: 11.2
ABW: 9
Bitterness: 70
Original gravity: 1090
This is a big beer in every way: 11.2 percent alcohol, 70 units of bitterness and aged in Bourbon barrels. The jet-black beer has a powerful and pungent aroma of whiskey and fresh, sappy wood, with additional contributions from roasted grain, coffee and peppery hops. Whiskey, wood and growing hop bitterness build in the mouth with a big hit of warming alcohol and creamy malt. There’s a lot of complex sweetness in the finish from whiskey and wood, with smoky grain, coffee and peppery hops. A stunning beer―and the label’s good, too.
The campy label reminds me of a 19th century poster, and indeed, this is one of America’s most wanted. Dark as coal with a black-tinted brown head, KBS is one of the most aromatically engaging beers I’ve experienced. Coffee and cocoa hit me first, but there are also woody notes, tobacco, vanilla and licorice. Full-bodied, slick and slippery on the tongue, rugged oaken and earthy bourbon flavors segue to vanilla extract, burnt caramel and molasses and finally, a somewhat drying finish. Lingering flavor of black licorice and chocolate punctuate with gusto. I’d prefer this beer after dessert, on its own. Some things are just meant to stand apart from the crowd, and KBS is such a character.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
K. Florian Klemp is an award-winning homebrewer and general hobbyist who thinks there is no more sublime marriage than that of art and science.
