My KBS vs SMS Tasting

I will get around to this in a few weeks omly 2014 KBS waiting on my 2015 KBS to arrive to compare. SMS is big bold and aggressive and I dug it a lot. It's a little hot fresh I want to see how it ages and see how Weyerbacher sevond batch next year turns out.

 

Had a KBS this past weekend on my birthday and it did not blow me away like the first one. Only had one of my SMS and I have a single bomber of high west so that hasn't been opened yet. Will do another SMS soon.

A lot of people say the flavor varies a bit. Either just because of your taste that day or different blending. So my first KBS was great, last one was good, we'll see how the next one (and the next SMS) will go. Still very happy with them both.

Maybe if I was feeling generous with family members we could do a KBS/SMS/high west. I might be more inclined if I had more than one high west though.

 

I think it's interesting that I've heard a few people mention that they found KBS thicker than SMS. KBS is one of the thinnest BA stouts out there, and to me SMS was much thicker, and it really wasn't close. It seems like mouthfeel would be a much more objective, rather than subjective category, just surprises me to see the difference of opinion.

 

Temperature does, indeed, play a big role in mouthfeel. I never refrigerate any of my stouts for this reason as well as, more importantly, for not killing all the malt flavors. Also, when cold, the big BA stouts will be noticeably hotter and round out when the temp gets nearer room temp.

 

Drinking some brews now. Didn't read too much of OPs post or the others but for the sake of posting, I did do the same side by side recently.


KBS seemed to be a touch richer, creamier, and smoother. If ever so slightly, all combined, it seemed to be a better experience. That's what I liked out of it compared to SMS.

Not in the same wheelhouse, but the Lagunitas High westy bomber is right where my coffee IS preference lies. Such a heavy coffee influence and a great balance. I would rather have that over what both KBS and SMS provided. Lagunitas was easily detechtable among the two, while SMS and KBS was a much closer challenge. SMS also felt thinner and less refined.

 

You bring up that solid point, each beer speaks to each person. What it says is only in the eye of the beholder. This is why I like talking about beer, I dig your opinion. Cheers!

 

Pseudo-cross post with WBAYDN #944.

Decided to try this with GF. Given OP mentioned the tell-tale sign in look, I had GF pour the beers (tape on bottom was the indicator), then randomly place them somewhere. While pouring she says "oops", as the head overflowed one pour. THEN she tells me which one!?!? So she wipes both glasses, and I bring the glasses to the other room where she doesn't know which is which.



I close my eyes and say, give me one, the the other. I do same for her. My quick notes (sorry I wasn't as thorough as OP):
1st-coffee, cream, somewhat sweet, vanilla
2nd-bourbony, wood and alcohol bigger part of flavor

1st-chocolate, coconut, light bourbon/wood
2nd-more wood, bourbon, lighter on coffee and a hint of chocolate

1st-feel is amazingly smooth
2nd-bit watery and more bite from alcohol

Turns out "1st" is SMS, "2nd" is KBS.

I fondly remember my first KBS at Extreme Beerfest 2013. Following opportunities have diminished my thoughts. This might be a camel-back breaking moment. I will say I was mistaken I that I was sure 1 and 2 were the opposite. Also thought the KBS was aged, but my GF says not sure, so we are awaiting confirmation, so I am now assuming not.

Interesting experiment, for sure.

 

exactly my thoughts. SMS had more everything: coffee, bourbon, heat. I prefer SMS much more

 

So can you tell which is which in the animated photo? I can from your description, hence the closed eyes. Definitely helps to have a partner in crime. Second time we've tried this, this one a tad more fun.

After some warmth I feel the same but they are closer. GF is not a big coffee fan, but agrees the SMS is more coffee-y.

 

I'll have to try my 2nd bottle but I was very disappointed with the first SMS. Tasted like a decent coffee beer w/ a shot bourbon dumped in.

 

I've had both, I do think SMS has a bigger mouthfeel as I think KBS is kind of thin, however, I think overall KBS is a better balanced beer as I found SMS to be a little too hot, but KBS has a great balance between bourbon and coffee. I also prefer KBS fresh.

 

Ha! Yeah, looking at it again, that pic isn't the greatest (it's the right one). After we had tasted, I knew we didn't "get lost in the shuffle", b/c GF said, "that's the one I overfilled, I know because of the height of the lacing".

 

I personally wasn't impressed with either of these beers. And yes, BCBCS blows both of them away. I have done a KBS/BCBCS side by side to confirm. Nice review though