KBS Vertical ('09-'13)

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by imfrommichigan, Apr 12, 2013.

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  1. imfrommichigan

    imfrommichigan Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2012 Utah

    I recently did a KBS vertical. This was my first vertical experience with any beer as my interest in cellaring and drinking big craft beers wasn't piqued until early last year. While I drank plenty of craft beer before that, KBS was my gateway into big beer and eventually, this site and trading. I'm sure that there's been a vertical mentioned on here, I thought I would share my thoughts given this year's release would mark my "anniversary" of my newly found hobby.

    So without further ado...

    2009
    Upon cracking there was still a good hiss that came out followed by the smell of what used to be a wonderful beer. The smell was heavily oxidized with a big chocolate, roasty presence. The taste was more of the same as the smell tasting very oxidized, which made it quite hard to drink. It wasn't quite what I was expected but the experiment is half the fun!

    2010
    Things started getting better here. The smell at first worried me because it had almost that same roasty, oxidized smell. Upon first sip, it was a completely different beer than the '09. A lot was going on with the heavy chocolate taste with hints of bourbon trying to peek through but not quite making it. The coffee's presence is missed but the chocolate base is very desirable. If only the smell was a bit better, this would have been incredible.

    2011
    Of all the past vintages, this was by far the best for me. The smell of the bourbon and chocolate was just absolutely beautiful. Such a smooth smelling and tasting beer with waves of chocolate consuming my being. There was zero hint of any alcohol. Every sip I took I had to look at my lady and tell her how amazing it was. Good thing it was only a 6 oz. pour because she might have gotten sick of me saying it. So yeah... ISO!

    2012
    Being my "gateway" I wanted this one to blow all older vintages out of the water. It was almost there but wasn't quite up to how much I liked the '11. The deciding factor was how the coffee was trying to make it's presence known but wasn't the most welcome flavor. It gave off almost a stale flavor like 2 hour old coffee might give off. The bourbon was very pronounced and since I love that up front bourbon flavor, it made it much more desirable than the '09 and '10. I'm very excited to save the other '12's I have for future comparison to the '11 I had.

    2013
    I'm going to blow everyone's mind and say...:grimacing: fresh is definitely the best. As soon this beer hit the glass it smelled of amazing bourbon and fresh coffee. It was mind blowing with the amount of coffee presence that was in this beer. It was divine. So many flavors were dancing around in my mouth, I didn't know what to make of it. Bourbon, coffee, and chocolate were all present and equally dominating. Such a complex, amazing beer. I'll definitely be drinking more sooner rather than later but, of course, I'll be sitting on a few for a few years.

    1. 2013
    2. 2011
    3. 2012
    4. 2010
    5. 2009

    Now, I don't do beer reviews so they might not be the best notes ever, but this was a damn fun experiment to take part in. I've enjoyed my time here in this community so I thought I'd share my fun with you guys (and gals!). I look forward to what others think and have done the same experiment!
     
    #1 imfrommichigan, Apr 12, 2013
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  2. beerhan

    beerhan Savant (1,237) Apr 28, 2010 Ohio

    I just did an '11-'13 myself and I actually thought the 2011 was a hair better than the '13. There was so much chocolate and bourbon still present that I had trouble savoring my glass. I completely agree about the 2010 - I tried a bottle last year and thought it had gone fairly downhill but that 2011 almost tastes better now than when it was fresh.
     
    #2 beerhan, Apr 12, 2013
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  3. KnightRider

    KnightRider Zealot (536) May 20, 2007 Pennsylvania

    2009 was the last year for the screw off caps. Wonder if that could have led to more oxidation?
     
    #3 KnightRider, Apr 13, 2013
  4. imfrommichigan

    imfrommichigan Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2012 Utah

    2008 was actually the last year with screw tops. 2009 was the first year they started putting just the KBS on there instead of the whole title. I don't know why it was so oxidized. I don't think it was the cap since there was still plenty of carbonation.
     
    #4 imfrommichigan, Apr 13, 2013
  5. ShemRahBoo

    ShemRahBoo Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 New Jersey

    Did 11-13 recently, I thought it went 13>12>11. Most people seemed to agree, this beer is better fresh IMO.
     
    #5 ShemRahBoo, Apr 13, 2013
  6. PALMEJ1

    PALMEJ1 Initiate (0) Dec 8, 2008 Alabama

    The 2009 bottles I have are all screw tops. Opened one 2 days ago that had been refridurated since the trade in 09 and it was pretty good. Huge chocolate notes domitate the nose and flavor. Stale coffee made its presence as the beer warmed. Overall it was much better than I expected.
     
    #6 PALMEJ1, Apr 13, 2013
  7. whitehouse50

    whitehouse50 Zealot (571) Dec 27, 2006 New York

    from my experience the 10 and 11 needed about four months for all the flavors to meld together and after it reached a year old the beer changed enough where i didnt enjoy it as much, so i preferred the 10 and 11 with at least four months on it but no more than a year old. the 2012 was fantastic fresh, no cellaring needed whatsoever. i drank all my bottles (6) in about a month. i have yet to try the 2013 but if its anything like last years i will have a hard time making the bottles last.

    cheers
     
    #7 whitehouse50, Apr 16, 2013
  8. udubdawg

    udubdawg Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2006 Kansas

    ISO the willpower it must take to let KBS sit for that long! Wow.

    love the stuff, and haven't had a supply last longer than a couple months.

    anyway, thanks for the reviews.

    cheers--
    --Michael
     
    #8 udubdawg, Apr 16, 2013
  9. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    I've done a few verticals of KBS and always think fresher is better.
     
    #9 steebo777, Apr 17, 2013
  10. kylelenk

    kylelenk Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2012 Michigan

    Great post, was building a 5 year but seem satisfied to do a 3 year next.

    I've mentioned it a few times but this year it seems more matured. The bottles and draft I had in April last year were really hot. Super bourbon. Almost like doing a shot. This year it is a lot more mellow and you can really pick out the vanilla and oak notes.
     
    #10 kylelenk, Apr 17, 2013
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  11. SeanS

    SeanS Aspirant (255) Feb 13, 2013 New York

    I have 11-13 and debating on trading for a '9 and '10 to do a 5-year vertical, but sounds not worth it?
     
    #11 SeanS, Apr 17, 2013
  12. adamant1912

    adamant1912 Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2010 Michigan

    I have an identical 09'-13' vertical and just been waiting for the right night to open them. Thanks for the notes, it'll be interesting to compare. I got my 09' and 10' last year from Hopcat from their cellar- assuming they've been cellared properly this might be favorable for those vintages. I had the 09' on tap last year and it was still tasting pretty amazing but obviously this might differ from the bottle.
     
    #12 adamant1912, Apr 18, 2013
  13. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Good notes. I'll probably be opening my last 2011 this year. I didn't want to let it go much longer anyway.
     
    #13 ShanePB, Apr 18, 2013
  14. imfrommichigan

    imfrommichigan Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2012 Utah

    I wouldn't apply the "vintage fee" for them. If you can go 1:1 with a fresh one, it's worth the experiment.
     
    #14 imfrommichigan, Apr 18, 2013
  15. TheBeerDad

    TheBeerDad Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2012 Michigan

    Now I do live just up the road, just putting that out there :slight_smile:
     
    #15 TheBeerDad, Apr 18, 2013
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  16. MRAnderson

    MRAnderson Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2012 Indiana

    Thankyou!!! I have told so many people to not age this beer! people are on this huge aging kick and its so annoying, KBS is already aged a year when you buy it, so there is no need to further age it..
     
    #16 MRAnderson, Apr 21, 2013
  17. imfrommichigan

    imfrommichigan Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2012 Utah

    We could have used your help! Drinking that much KBS at once was so difficult.:wink:
     
    #17 imfrommichigan, Apr 22, 2013
  18. basickness

    basickness Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2013 Pennsylvania

    i just traded for a '10 for an 09-13 vertical. rock n roll
     
    #18 basickness, Aug 27, 2013
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  19. kdb150

    kdb150 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I'm wondering if kegged versions oxidize more slowly than bottled versions.
     
    #19 kdb150, Aug 27, 2013
  20. Massbmx

    Massbmx Pundit (908) Apr 5, 2011 Vermont

    I did 11-13 over the winter and it went 11> 13> 12 for me, but I will admit I am not biggest fan of huge coffee taste in my beer which is probably why I liked 11 the best. Totally agree with the OP on the 12, coffee tasted like old coffee whereas on the 11it was faded just enough to be perfect (IMO).
     
    #20 Massbmx, Aug 27, 2013
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