Founders CBS 2017 Release

Avon has it now, my buddy was just there. He bought 3 and sent a picture of a ton of remaining bottles.

 

They're 2-3 bottle limits there as a heads up

 

thanks...I just want one, but I'm 20 minutes way and can't leave until 2. fingers crossed...also, Avon 1 stop has it behind the counter. they will only sell to regulars, which I'm only semi-regular lol

 

as far as i understand it the only thing that changed was the name
and yeah i usually go to bazaar since its close to round lake and nader seems like a nice guy

 

Avon Heinen's is out of stock now they said

 

Agree. Basically 100%. Picked up a bottle from jewel on Friday and put it in the fridge for Saturday to share with a few choice guests that were coming over. Definitely disappointing. It is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a SLIGHTLY sweeter kbs. The hype built this beer up way to high, and while delicious, did not live up to it and has since been passed up by many beers.

 

I'll probably have my bottle over the weekend, so I'll chime in then, but I'll say this now:

When I had CBS back in...2014, I think it was? It was the subtlety that I really enjoyed. It wasn't overpoweringly maple, but there was a hint on the finish, and the chocolate really worked well with the coffee stout they threw in the barrels.

If you're coming in looking for huge blasts of maple and chocolate, I can see being letdown; my all-time favorite beer is Prop '13 (coconut), and that wasn't a coconut bomb so I was initially letdown. Once I saw it for what it was, I realized how much I loved it.

Again, this batch of CBS may well suck, or we may have been spoiled by other beers, but I definitely think expectations should be reined in a little; almost any beer will be a letdown if you come in expecting the Holy Grail.

 

Agreed, it was aged in former bourbon barrels that once held maple and isn't a maple adjunct stout so one should only expect subtle notes of maple, or one would think. I did find noticeable differences between the bottle and tap, however.

 

Yeah, I've been seeing that a lot, which I think is very interesting. Glad the bottle seems to be the better version!

 

12oz bottles are a thing now?

 

Yes, but 12oz bottles of CBS are exclusive to international markets.

 

Wai, wha? They are exporting CBS when I can't even find it two states over?

 

You do know what the C stands for right?

 

Was able to grab 3 bottles tonight at my local store at $25/ea. He only got a single case in, but I always take him some good beers (gave him some Six Point BBA 4 and 5 bean's as a thank you tonight). So I got my bottle to drink fresh and one to age (the third is for a friend). I got another store tomorrow that is getting some in, so I will stop by at lunch at work just to see... But if I don't get anymore I am perfectly happy, but wouldn't mind another 1-2 if I can to sit on a while.

 

Many?

 

It's like Canadian Bacon- up there they don't use Canadian in front of it...

 

Had a bottle last Saturday... black licorice on the nose and taste. A super fizzy, sweet mess. Horrible. Had another bottle on Wednesday... this was much better and reminded me of a more coffee forward version of KBS. Little if any maple, and that's with me searching for it. Not as thick and sticky as previous renditions, quite a bummer.

 

Have had CBS twice now....once on draft....once from the bottle....On draft , was very thin. Very little maple a subtle hint of coffee..I told my buddy it's like someone took a kbs and poured some water into it....being as though I feel like the stout world has caught up I kept an open mind....had a bottle a few days later and sadly my opinion hasn't changed.....it's a completely different brew then the 2011 version I remember and different then 2014 on draft....The bottle was a little thicker and otherwise a foamy mess...tasted like a thinner version of KBS...I'd rather drink an Imperial smells like bean Spirit any day over this version of CBS....but hey, different strokes for different folks

 

lol #beer2017

Having had both the bottle and draft within a couple of days, as well as having the 2014 in December of that year, I'll expand a bit on my experience(s). FWIW, I have always had this beer on a "clean palate".

All pours I have had coated the inside of the glass nicely, indicating some degree of viscosity. I wouldn't refer to it at "chewy" like DB Hunahpu, BCBS, Bottle Logic FO, or any of the Cycle stouts but certainly an adequate body, and seemingly thicker than KBS.

Both 2014 and 2017 had easily perceptible maple flavors (even on the nose) whereas it was more difficult to pick up from the bottle, although still there. Bitter roast and coffee dominated the bottle, with the tap being more balanced in both 2014 and 2017. I suspect, just like KBS, that setting the bottles aside or a month or three will improve the experience.

Overall, I think Founders did a great job bringing CBS to as many people as possible.

To those referring to this as "watered down KBS", I once again chuckle.

 

Nice write up. I too have had the same experience with CBS now and in 2014. I'll add that as the bottle pour warmed up to a more optimal serving temperature, it reminded me of the draft pours I've had. I preferred the draft overall, though.