CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
Founders Brewing Company

CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
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From:
Founders Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #16
ABV:
11.7%
Score:
100
Ranked #38
Avg:
4.64 | pDev: 8.19%
Reviews:
1,638
Ratings:
6,786
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 21, 2024
Added:
Feb 01, 2009
Wants:
  4,542
Gots:
  1,864
The legendary CBS returns! CBS is a bold imperial stout featuring chocolate and coffee that has aged in bourbon barrels with maple syrup. The sweet, but balanced, aromas of maple syrup and chocolate fill the air, while notes of toasted oak and vanilla become more profound with every sip – melding together in what can only be described as a transcendent drinking experience.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by amano_h:
Photo of amano_h
Reviewed by amano_h from Oregon

4.41/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I could probably write an equivalent of a graduate thesis on the impact of the first batch of this beer to the craft beer community and the way the current batch is being portrayed to the same community, with the added factor of secondary market shitlords in play, but I won't because ain't nobody got time for that.

But with CBS I decided to try something different from what I usually do with my beer reviews: whereas the majority of the reactions to this beer seem to be something akin to disappointment--which is understandable if you take into consideration the impact that a stout brewed with maple would have had in 2011 as opposed to now--there were a few that were fervently assertive in claiming that the 2017 batch of CBS becomes a different animal once it's given some time to warm up. I therefore decided to pour two separate glasses and do two reviews, with one at 40°F and the other at 55°F.

Given the astounding levels of innovation and improvement that takes place in any industry within a span of 6 years, I'm not surprised at the majority opinion of this brew (to wit: it sucks), based on the vibes this brew puts out straight out of the fridge at around 40°F which is the temperature at which most beer drinkers will drink beer because, who the fuck has the money to land whales and maintain a temperature-controlled cellar at the same time.

At colder temps, this beer exhibits aromas of light maple syrup that smell more like honey; bitter cacao nibs follow, with medium-roast espresso notes at bay. There's a grainy scent reminiscent of mushy cereal grain and rolled oats which also join the party toward the end, but is eventually overpowered by more of the persistently sweet maple.

On the palatal department, the faint maple leads off, followed by distinctly separate flavors of low-fat chocolate milk, and 88% dark chocolate. The coffee manifests itself into existence in the form of French-press sludge from burnt "espresso blend" coffee beans; toward the end there's a slight honey-like cloying sweetness which I'm not digging at the moment.
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The mouthfeel at this point is half way between being medium and full-bodied; there' a gorgeous creamy initial mouthfeel, with an exuberant slick and silkiness which coats the tongue with each sip, There is however, some heat detectable toward the very end.
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At warmer temps, the more obtuse elements come together to present a more united front than there was previously before, with harmony being the key factor involved in showcasing the strengths of the brew.
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On the aroma department, the maple is no longer limited to just providing a sugary honey-like presence, but the more natural raw wood-like elements of the ingredient is represented front and center. The maple introduction is well supported by a huge mocha-like backdrop; a soothing medium-roast Americano and 67% cacao chocolate bar mix mingles almost effortlessly to carefully balance out the maple constituents that were initially introduced.
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The palatal sensation closely matches the aroma in terms of the overarching theme; the maple, coffee, and chocolate are balanced in such a delightful manner as to provide a beautiful contract between the subtly sweet maple and the coffee at play. After the maple and coffee are through with their cat fight, the chocolate swoops in to add a nice bitter drying touch to beckon a repeat taste.
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Where the aroma and taste benefited from a little time and temperature, the mouthfeel suffers in contrast; after 30 minutes of being exposed to a non-vacuum environment, the brew inches closer to becoming medium-bodied, and the rich creamy initial mouthfeel disappears. If you can get this brew to somehow exhibit the smell/taste which it exhibits at 55 degrees while maintaining a 40 degrees mouthfeel, you've probably brewed the perfect BA Maple Stout.
Dec 19, 2017
More User Ratings:
Photo of BubbleBobble
Reviewed by BubbleBobble from New York

4.49/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2017 Vintage. Pours near black with a robust 2" head that settles to a solid cocoa cap, thin streaks of lacing. Nose is coffee grounds, cocoa, baking chocolate, roasted barley and malt; very light barrel and maple at this point. As it warms, a little more maple character, along with some light soy. Taste remains well balanced even after 6+ years - maple sweetness, malt/roast, tannic barrel; cola-like citrus sweetness. Remarkable how well this has held up. Feel is light for the ABV and compared to other adjunct stouts. Having had so many imitators, was expecting the original to pale in comparison; instead, it not only held up, but surpassed the competition.
Mar 21, 2024
 
Rated: 4.6 by soarinsteven from Illinois

Mar 09, 2024
Photo of moysauce
Rated by moysauce from Illinois

4.58/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2018 vintage, review from my untappd
Mar 06, 2024
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a completely dark color with a massive dark tan head that pillows and lingers. (4.25)

Aroma: Strong aromas of cocoa, coffee, bittersweet notes upfront. Balanced and complex. (4.25)

Flavor: Strong flavors of cocoa and chocolate upfront that balance with coffee. Then a sweet and rich chocolate, bourbon, and maple flavor follow. Sweet with a mild coffee roast off the finish. (4.25)

Feel: Heavier-bodied, strong carbonation. Mild roast. Smooth, heavy, but balanced and not too sweet. (4.00)

Overall: First try at this World-Class rated Stout. Founders doesn't make bad ones so have high expectations. The pour is beautiful. Aromas are spot on. Chocolate, coffee, yet with a complexity you can't describe. Backs it up on the flavor with the addition of some maple, honey, and bourbon sweetness. Still complex with a balanced finish. Not sure why they held this one back and why it's not easy to find, but this could easily be an annual release. I've learned to try every stout from Founders without question. (Rating: 4.23)
Feb 23, 2024
Photo of NickSMpls
Reviewed by NickSMpls from Washington

4.62/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Deep, rich pour. Nose is maple and bourbon, chocolate. First sip brings up the coffee and bourbon, dark chocolate follows close behind. Long finish. It's beer heaven.
Feb 15, 2024
Photo of tt100
Reviewed by tt100 from Ohio

4.64/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I always find it hard to believe they can make this taste aged when it's freshly bottled. Years ago the maple would be strong unless you waited on it. The last few years the maple is perfectly blended. Magical...
Feb 08, 2024
Photo of Cdriver0414
Reviewed by Cdriver0414 from Kentucky

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I don't know what to say about this vmbeer that isn't already known. Founders makes some amazing stouts and this is one of their best. I cannot recommend it enough.
Feb 07, 2024
Photo of PaulMayer
Reviewed by PaulMayer from Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is sublime. I lack the experience or vocabulary to call myself a connoisseur or expert rater of beers, but at the moment I’m drinking this, it could be the most delicious beer I’ve ever had, even better than the Belgian quads I love so much. And when you get right down to it, any beer — or any food, any experience — that is this transcendentally satisfying deserves to be thought of as one of the best.
Jan 29, 2024
 
Rated: 4.79 by BLVBBERGIXLL from Arizona

Jan 13, 2024
 
Rated: 4.9 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
Photo of highdesertdrinker
Reviewed by highdesertdrinker from Arizona

4.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep brown with ample tan head. It smell like chocolate, dark malts, maple. The taste is chocolate, maple, a little coffee, some wood, barrel, a little dry with some hops.
One of my favorite beers and certainly stouts and it is a smooth beverage that is dangerous drinkable, cheers!
Jan 07, 2024
Photo of LeRose
Reviewed by LeRose from Massachusetts

4.67/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This is a 2018 vintage bottle.

Pours opaque dark brown to black but with red and amber highlights on the edges when held up to light. Hefty khaki head that persists, falls to a modest cap, but foam coats the glass beautifully.

The aroma is great, but maybe subdued by age. Coffee and sweet chocolate, bourbon barrel and vanilla, base stout and very faint maple as if warms up.

Taste - coffee, chocolate on the sweeter side, just a touch of bourbon, some vanilla and the maple shows up late but blends jn smoothly. All on top of roasty base grains and the OG stout. Superb, smoothly integrated.

Feel is thick but not syrupy or sticky. It's not highly carbonated. Luxurious and smooth.

Tremendous beer - not much more thst one can say about it.
Jan 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.34 by sewerchewer from New York

Dec 31, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Oktoberfest from Ohio

Dec 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.53 by guzzleacoldone from Ohio

Dec 16, 2023
Photo of FRANKHAZE
Rated by FRANKHAZE from Florida

2.5/5  rDev -46.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
KBS is superior in all aspects and costs about 10$ less than a CBS 4-pack.. makes absolutely no sense to purchase this beer. KBS > CBS.
Dec 06, 2023
 
Rated: 4.88 by BeerJesus from South Carolina

Dec 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.74 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Nov 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by Nyoder

Nov 26, 2023
CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout) from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 6786 ratings