KBS Appreciation Thread!

Sign me up for this thread. A while ago, close to 2 years probably, I did a side by side of KBS and BCBCS. I posted on here when I was starting the tasting, and was greeted by an overwhelming majority of people saying that it was ridiculous and that I was wasting beer because everyone "knew" BCBCS was so much better. Well, turns out I actually enjoyed the KBS more and rated it higher during the side by side (which surprised me because I love both but thought I would lean towards BCBCS). The KBS was just more well rounded, and had such a great mix of barrel, coffee, roast, and chocolate. I got more pleasant subtleties with KBS as opposed to the more in your face BCBCS. Both remain amongst my favorite beers, but I use this as an example of how highly I view KBS.

 

I remember seeing bottles of Prairie Christmas Bomb! at a bar, and I was momentarily excited as I've wanted to try it and hadn't seen it previously. $23 for a bottle. Nearly fell over

 

Parabola is significantly more expensive and not necessarily a better beer. You can pay $20 for a Parabola, which would work out to $10 per 12 ounces. KBS isn't usually anywhere near that expensive.

 

You got your glasses mixed up.

 

Had it for the first time recently - world class!

 

Oh I'm nuts, I just hide it well.

 

I had SMS last year and preferred KBS. I liked SMS, but just not as much - although I only got one bottle in a trade so didn't get to do extensive research.

This year, I was able to trade for 2 4-packs of SMS and had my first last weekend. I was not a big fan of it - I got a ton of coffee with practically no bourbon barrel flavor at all. That is almost the opposite of what I tasted in KBS this year, which I found pretty bourbon forward and not as much coffee. I think I'd prefer something in the middle, and I'll see how they develop over the coming year against each other.

 

I'm doing a blind side by side with '15 and '16 KBS tonight. I did this last year with '14 and '15 and '14 was the clear winner. Curious to see how these compare.

 

Surprisingly the '15 has more coffee in the flavor and the 16 is more chocolate. Overall the '16 does have more depth and flavors going on but the '15 is still tasting fine with a strong coffee as the main upfront flavor.

 

A 50/50 blend of 4oz each room temp '15, '16 KBS is better than either vintage on it's own haha.

 

I didn't get any coffee in it at all but got a ton of vanilla.

 

Planning to get into a growler tonight, hopefully with a fellow BA.

 

Heads up guys in the Boston, MA area:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kbs-raffle-tickets-25004031732?aff=eac2

https://www.facebook.com/events/248317692222806/

 

Great beer for sure, Glad we get it here in Cali. So I don't have to set up trades anymore for it.

 

One of the best imperial stouts...

Coffee, chocolate, and bourbon...

Hope you got yours!

Cheers!

 

I've had two bottles from this year. Both fantastic.

The bourbon barrel character is much more present this year, If I recall previous versions correctly.
Once the beer has warmed up a bit, the coffee chocolate and vanilla notes really begin to peak through and make for a phenomenal beer drinking experience.