Beer Review: KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) (2011)

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.