KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Espresso
Founders Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #108 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 98
Ranked #375 - Avg:
- 4.42 | pDev: 5.66%
- Reviews:
- 219
- Ratings:
- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 25
- Gots
- 68
SCORE
98
World-Class
98
World-Class
Notes:
KBS gets its coffee fix in the very first variant to come from our beloved bourbon barrel-aged stout. Yes, KBS may already be brewed with coffee, but it gets some extra oomph when it’s aged on espresso beans after being removed from barrels. The result is a fresh and snappy coffee twist on our classic barrel-aged beer. Who says you can’t start your day with a barrel-aged stout?
Reviews: 219
| Ratings: 649
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Reviews by buschbeer:
buschbeer from Ohio
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a snifter
This beer pours black and is topped with less than an inch of mocha head that leaves spotty lacing.
The smell is coffee forward. I get some anise. There are hints of chocolate and roasted malt.
The taste is smoother than the smell. It starts out with espresso and chocolate. The espresso lingers throughout. There is some black coffee in the finish.
Full bodied with a thick, chewy mouthfeel
This is another excellent beer from San Miguel. I don't think it a whole lot different than regular KBS though. I will follow up with one to confirm/deny my statement.
Dec 26, 2019
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a snifter
This beer pours black and is topped with less than an inch of mocha head that leaves spotty lacing.
The smell is coffee forward. I get some anise. There are hints of chocolate and roasted malt.
The taste is smoother than the smell. It starts out with espresso and chocolate. The espresso lingers throughout. There is some black coffee in the finish.
Full bodied with a thick, chewy mouthfeel
This is another excellent beer from San Miguel. I don't think it a whole lot different than regular KBS though. I will follow up with one to confirm/deny my statement.
Dec 26, 2019
More User Reviews:
golf4collet from West Virginia
4.5/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Feb 27, 2021
4.5/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Feb 27, 2021
GeorgiaBeerMoose from Georgia
4.54/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jan 20, 2020
4.54/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jan 20, 2020
NonicPanic from Pennsylvania
4.75/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Jun 29, 2020
4.75/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Jun 29, 2020
lemmy187 from Missouri
4.31/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 22, 2019
4.31/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 22, 2019
Notninja from New York
4.89/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Tastes of a good espresso and a dam good stout. The chocolate and oak takes a back seat but this time that's a good thing. I will definitely buy this again. Update 2020 even better.
Dec 15, 2019
4.89/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Tastes of a good espresso and a dam good stout. The chocolate and oak takes a back seat but this time that's a good thing. I will definitely buy this again. Update 2020 even better.
Dec 15, 2019
GetTheYayo from Pennsylvania
4.39/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 13, 2019
4.39/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 13, 2019
West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio
3.89/5 rDev -12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dec 29, 2019
3.89/5 rDev -12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dec 29, 2019
Justincredble from Pennsylvania
4.37/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 29, 2020
4.37/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 29, 2020
swierczt from Connecticut
4.4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 10, 2019
4.4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 10, 2019
hardy008 from Minnesota
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with a one finger tan head which has very good retention. I drank a few of these before reviewing this bottle. At first the aroma and taste had nothing but Espresso. Now the dominant aroma is still espresso, but I can also smell cocoa, chocolate, and dark roasted malt. I do not pick up any Bourbon from the aroma. Espresso is the dominant taste, but I can also detect cocoa, chocolate, dark roasted malt, a little of the Bourbon, molasses, and vanilla. full bodied with moderate carbonation. Has a bitter aftertaste which is somewhat balanced out by the sweet chocolate. Overall an excellent beer.
Feb 03, 2020
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with a one finger tan head which has very good retention. I drank a few of these before reviewing this bottle. At first the aroma and taste had nothing but Espresso. Now the dominant aroma is still espresso, but I can also smell cocoa, chocolate, and dark roasted malt. I do not pick up any Bourbon from the aroma. Espresso is the dominant taste, but I can also detect cocoa, chocolate, dark roasted malt, a little of the Bourbon, molasses, and vanilla. full bodied with moderate carbonation. Has a bitter aftertaste which is somewhat balanced out by the sweet chocolate. Overall an excellent beer.
Feb 03, 2020
GracelandII from Virginia
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2020
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2020
SFNC from North Carolina
4.46/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 26, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 26, 2020
surfcaster from North Carolina
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Loved it.
KBS "on steroids." Pitch black opaque beer with very little head but good nose and BIG flavor. Coffee very prominent with good body. Not as thick as a Bourbon county but just right for me. Long finish. Excellent
Feb 16, 2020
4.42/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Loved it.
KBS "on steroids." Pitch black opaque beer with very little head but good nose and BIG flavor. Coffee very prominent with good body. Not as thick as a Bourbon county but just right for me. Long finish. Excellent
Feb 16, 2020
kjkinsey from Texas
4.4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 28, 2019
4.4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 28, 2019
UWDAWG from Washington
4.72/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a stout glass.
Look- Black, light brown frothy head, average head retention, above average lacing.
Smell- Bourbon, coffee, toasted oats, toffee, vanilla.
Taste- Bourbon, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, licorice, toasted oats, toffee.
Feel- Full body, warming, smooth, sticky, syrup like, average carbonation.
Aug 21, 2020
4.72/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a stout glass.
Look- Black, light brown frothy head, average head retention, above average lacing.
Smell- Bourbon, coffee, toasted oats, toffee, vanilla.
Taste- Bourbon, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, licorice, toasted oats, toffee.
Feel- Full body, warming, smooth, sticky, syrup like, average carbonation.
Aug 21, 2020
FlaS4 from Florida
4.88/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
May 30, 2020
4.88/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
May 30, 2020
TylerJ from Iowa
4.48/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jan 30, 2020
4.48/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jan 30, 2020
colts9016 from Idaho
4.59/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
When I first heard about this beer, I knew I had to consume it. I pick-up a growler and have been sipping on this beer for the last couple of days. I finally got a chance to review it. The beer is 50 degrees and served in a tulip glass. The pour of the beer produced one dark brown head. The head is creamy and thick. The retention of the head is good but left no lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is SRM 36; dark brown nearly black. The appearance of the beer is suitable for this style and high abv.
The initial aromas in the beer are dark chocolate, espresso, and bourbon. Next, I smell tobacco, oak, molasses, anise, orange, char, dark roasted malts, burnt sugar, earthiness, and a touch of solvents.
The initial flavors in the beer are espresso, dark chocolate, and earthiness. Next, I taste leather, oak, anise, oranges, char, dark roasted malts, burnt sugar, solvents, molasses, vanilla, and a hint of floral.
The mouthfeel of the beer is chewy and thick.
The body of the beer is full, low carbonation, and fuller finish.
The beer is wonderful. The coffee is abundant, mingling nicely with the other flavors. I am a huge coffee fan, this beer suits my palate. I do enjoy the original KBS, this version is a bonus. I am glad I got the opportunity to drink this beer. I have been searching for it since I knew about a couple of months back. Simply put a nice cup of cold java with a hardy stout combined.
Mar 10, 2020
4.59/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
When I first heard about this beer, I knew I had to consume it. I pick-up a growler and have been sipping on this beer for the last couple of days. I finally got a chance to review it. The beer is 50 degrees and served in a tulip glass. The pour of the beer produced one dark brown head. The head is creamy and thick. The retention of the head is good but left no lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is SRM 36; dark brown nearly black. The appearance of the beer is suitable for this style and high abv.
The initial aromas in the beer are dark chocolate, espresso, and bourbon. Next, I smell tobacco, oak, molasses, anise, orange, char, dark roasted malts, burnt sugar, earthiness, and a touch of solvents.
The initial flavors in the beer are espresso, dark chocolate, and earthiness. Next, I taste leather, oak, anise, oranges, char, dark roasted malts, burnt sugar, solvents, molasses, vanilla, and a hint of floral.
The mouthfeel of the beer is chewy and thick.
The body of the beer is full, low carbonation, and fuller finish.
The beer is wonderful. The coffee is abundant, mingling nicely with the other flavors. I am a huge coffee fan, this beer suits my palate. I do enjoy the original KBS, this version is a bonus. I am glad I got the opportunity to drink this beer. I have been searching for it since I knew about a couple of months back. Simply put a nice cup of cold java with a hardy stout combined.
Mar 10, 2020
Cotton_27 from Michigan
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 30, 2020
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 30, 2020
JamesLeung from Florida
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mar 08, 2021
4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mar 08, 2021
beaulabauve from Louisiana
4.24/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 01, 2021
4.24/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 01, 2021
Danmullens1 from Wisconsin
4.5/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 27, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 27, 2020
csmrx7 from Canada (AB)
4.23/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 25, 2019
4.23/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 25, 2019
KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - Espresso from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
98 out of
100 with
649 ratings
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