Founders KBS Release (2014)

This years KBS is tasting excellent and is probably the best fresh batch in some time. The party was crazy busy overall but hardly anyone was taking advantage of all the heated seating outside or the satellite bar. I left around ten thirty out of exhaustion but I will say that this was one of the most civil parties I have been to in a while. I was able to enjoy a KBS/rubaeus Black and Tan which was swell. I only saw one act of childishness yesterday which was oddly enough by a fairly old gentleman trying to get some nasty growlers filled and started belittling the bartender but other than that this was a great time.

 

I got there about 3:00PM and had about a 20 minute wait to get in. The guy carding at the entrance steered my brother and I to the bar near the gift shop. He told us it would have a shorter line and he was correct. The only problem was they didn't have Panther Cub and Donkey Stout at that bar. I wanted a growler fill of the Donkey Stout and I wanted to try the Panther Cub to see what the fuss was all about. But we also wanted to get out of there fast to catch the Michigan and Michigan State basketball games elsewhere so we had one KBS and split. Did they still have Panther Cub and Donkey Stout at the main bar at 3:30 to 4:00? My old eyes couldn't see the main taplist from the bar near the gift shop and I didn't want fight through the crowd to get a better look.

And did anyone purchase the hot sauce in the gift shop? I'm regretting now that I didn't pick one up.

 

Great job to Founders for hosting a great event. The service was great. Also, it was cool that the owner came out and shook hands with the customers waiting in line and said thanks for coming.

 

We ended up getting inside Founders around 2:45 (I think?) and there was no sign of Panther Cub on the board. Donkey was on until we left around 5p, at least.

 

am i the only one who thinks KBS tastes the same every year? i even have some '13 that ive kept refrigerated that tastes just like this years. if there are any variations i feel like they are about as tiny as it gets. the people that say last years sucked but this year is great always get a chuckle out of me.

 

Only had it for the past 3 vintages (years)...consistently excellent.

 

I believe most of the difference people claim to notice are honestly fairly negligible. I have noticed some difference in the alcohol heat between years, may just be my perception, but the flavors are very consistent. The same can be said for nearly any beer though.

 

Anyone else's KBS glass have a stray mark on it? Mine's about 3/4" long white mark about 1/3 way up. You can feel it with your nail.

 

Such a weird way to agree with someone...

 

I agree. The flavor was consistent for me between this year's KBS (on tap yesterday) and last year's KBS (I only had bottles). But last year's batch had a very noticeable bourbon finish for me whereas this year did not. At any rate, I'm not complaining.

 

Thanks for letting me know. Lesson learned. Always checklist the taplist at the main bar.

 

Anyone know if it's still on draft today?

 

Kbs, ba reds rye, ba spite, and backwoods bastard are all on

 

I kept getting kbs and my gf kept getting mfd because she doesn't care for barrel aged brews. Anyway, I kept trying hers and eventually went and got a growler filled before we left. I didn't think anything of it at the time but I probably should have gotten two because when I dropped her off she thanked me for the growler and she couldn't wait to drink it soon... She is under the impression I got it for her...?! Talk about a tough situation, haha

 

At least with the 2013 bottles, I feel the bourbon was more evident after 8 months aging.

 

Not on my KBS glass, but its just stray paint from the print. I had some on my BCBS glass I got and I could just scrape it off with my fingernail.

 

i usually got a green pepper note in KBS past years from the coffee but this batch i do not get it

 

KBS was on tap today

 

We arrived around 9:30am, and got seats at the bar. Could not have worked out better. Had several pours of the 14, one 13, and a panther cub. Glad they got another keg of that running as I just missed out on Tuesday.

Crowd seemed extremely civil. Better than I have ever seen before. The new and improved Taproom makes these events run really well.

For those who are not from GR or familiar with Founders, if you sit at the bar you can get served there. I steered several people out of the beer line because I saw them claim a bar seat and then get in line.

 

I got one, best use of $10 I know. I love breakfast stout, and I thought Donkey Stout was better(and $7 cheaper per growler). I hope they brew a bunch and distribute it.

Everyone in my group thought 13 and 14 KBS tasted different, with 14 having a little more "bite". The men liked the 14 and the ladies liked the 13. What a great weekend, Founders never disappoints.