Founders Breakfast Stout vs. Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013.

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  1. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Every once in a while, my beer store gets a very small allotment of Founders Breakfast Stout. My guy in the store will usually hold a four-pack in reserve for me if they are selling out quickly. So today, I picked up one of the said four-packs. Breakfast Stout is an amazing beer no doubt. I love it. But I have never had the privilege of trying KBS. I have never seen it in my local area. I don't doubt that both of them are stellar beers, as a perusal of their ratings will quickly confirm. My beer guy tells me that they hope to be able to procure some of the KBS this year. (It would be a first for my beer store if they are able to do it.) For now, all I can do is wish.

    At any rate, for all you who have tried both, I'm curious to hear a comparison. I've had the Breakfast Stout, but have never had KBS. This website says that they are both American Double/Imperial Stouts. So they both belong to the same style. I do note a higher ABV in KBS (11.2% vs. 8.3%). But the KBS page on Beer Advocate makes this curious statement: "Note, this is NOT simply barrel-aged Breakfast Stout. It is an entirely different beer." How would that be if they are both classified as American Double/Imperial Stouts? Further, I would be very curious to hear (read) an analysis of the difference between the two beers. Breakfast Stout is rated higher by the Brothers. Grateful for any feedback.
     
    #1 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
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  2. jaIsPoAn

    jaIsPoAn Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2012 New York

    Intirely different beer hints you can't vs them
     
    #2 jaIsPoAn, Oct 5, 2013
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  3. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,368) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ok, where do I start? KBS is Founders using chocolate and coffee in the beer and then cave aging it in bourbon barrels for a year. They are very different beers. To me KBS is better and I type this as I'm drinking a Breakfast Stout. They're completely different because the coffee and chocolate blend together with the bourbon barrel flavors creating a medley of vanilla and oak flavors.

    So to make this short, KBS is a smooth 11.2% with a smooth blend of coffee, chocolate, vanilla and bourbon. Breakfast stout is a punch in the face of coffee with some chocolatey goodness rounding out the experience. I hope this helped you. I highly recommend that you purchase KBS if you see it.

    One last thing, beers can be the same style (American Double/Imperial Stouts) and be completely different beers. It's just a classification for grouping purposes. I hope this helped you.
     
    #3 RichD, Oct 5, 2013
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  4. beercanman

    beercanman Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2012 Ohio

    Yep. Different beers completely. KBS is very solid but I can think of several barrel beers that I would take over it. FBS is one of my all time favorites. Comes down to personal tastes.
     
    #4 beercanman, Oct 5, 2013
  5. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Yes, thanks Jaromir, helpful. Trust me, I will scoop some KBS up quickly, if I am ever lucky enough to find it. Now you like KBS better. Why do you suppose the Brothers rate BS higher?
     
    #5 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
  6. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,368) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    My only assumption is that the Brothers rate FBS higher because it's the one of if not the best non-barrel-aged imperial stout out there. KBS has some strong competition when it comes to Barrel Aged imperial stouts. Also, when having both FBS and KBS you need to look at them as separate beers because they are. I always found that the coffee flavor is more prevalent in FBS and that the chocolate is stronger in KBS and that is because of the year that KBS ages before it's bottled.
     
    #6 RichD, Oct 5, 2013
  7. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Thanks. Sounds reasonable. By the way, I had Stone Imperial Stout recently, which I thought was really good.
     
    #7 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
  8. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,368) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had Stone's Imperial Stout about a month ago and it was definitely delicious. They released an espresso version of this earlier this year that blows the original out of the water.
     
    #8 RichD, Oct 5, 2013
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  9. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Yeah, I heard great things about the Expresso version. Unfortunately, my local area sold out before I was able to get any.
     
    #9 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
  10. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Samuel Smith makes a pretty good Imperial Stout too.
     
    #10 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
  11. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,368) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Definitely delicious. One of my favorites. You need to find Sierra Nevada's Narwhal. It's a treat.
     
    #11 RichD, Oct 5, 2013
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  12. nickapalooza86

    nickapalooza86 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2010 Wisconsin

    Here is the thing, FBS is the best Breakfast stout... No barrels, just coffee, chocolate and oatmeal goodness... KBS is in no way the best Barrel aged stout... It is not IMO worth the time it takes to get it, although I look for one 4 a year... If I do not get it... Who cares. One year without FBS would make me much sadder. I know I will be able to get CW Bourbon Barrel Stout, Peruvian Morning and BCBS easily. There is no substitute for what FBS gives you.
     
    #12 nickapalooza86, Oct 5, 2013
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  13. nickapalooza86

    nickapalooza86 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2010 Wisconsin

    Oh also Founders Imperial Stout takes FBS and KBS outside and kicks them both in the balls and then laughs with his "I am better then you" grin. FIS for the win!
     
    #13 nickapalooza86, Oct 5, 2013
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  14. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,368) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How dare I forget about this beer. Definitely the best Imperial Stout out there. FBS is awesome for what it is, which is why I rated it higher, but FIS is a show stopper. 90 IBUs for a RIS is absurd.
     
    #14 RichD, Oct 5, 2013
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  15. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Zealot (540) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to be on the lookout for Narwhal. I love Sierra Nevada's (regular) stout.
     
    #15 SummitSeries72, Oct 5, 2013
  16. Givemebeer

    Givemebeer Savant (1,219) Apr 6, 2013 Vermont

    The KBS I had last year I was disappointed with. To me, it was very strong on the coffee and I wanted more of the bourbon - not to say its not a great beer that's just me being picky. I prefer FBS but definitely scoop up some KBS if you see it.
     
    #16 Givemebeer, Oct 5, 2013
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  17. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey

    Where in NJ are you. The Espresso version is still on plenty of shelves in North Jersey.
    Also Breakfast Stout just hit the stores this week but is everywhere. It is usually pretty readily available.
     
    #17 SammyJaxxxx, Oct 5, 2013
  18. CassinoNorth

    CassinoNorth Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 New Jersey

    In NJ, you can find some Epic Big Bad Baptist, Barrel Mountain Dark Hollow Chocolate and Coffee aged, or Heresy to hold you off until KBS day.

    There's many bourbon barrel stouts to try. Start with New Holland Dragons Milk.
     
    #18 CassinoNorth, Oct 5, 2013
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  19. MLaVioletteJr

    MLaVioletteJr Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2013 Massachusetts

    Ten Fidy and Speedway both blow FBS out of the water when it comes to non BA. I will be having a FBS promptly at 9:30 AM tomorrow morning though.
     
    #19 MLaVioletteJr, Oct 5, 2013
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  20. MeBeerGood

    MeBeerGood Devotee (372) Jan 27, 2010 Massachusetts

    I strongly disagree. FBS would definitely still be in the water while Ten Fidy and Speedway end up on dry land.
     
    #20 MeBeerGood, Oct 5, 2013
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