Storing KBS

I would say keep them in the closet unless you want to buy a mini fridge just for aging beers. Last year I picked one up with glass door and climate control for $300 or so brand new. If you have the cash for one i'd recommend that. If not the closet will do for now, just find out where the coldest one is at your place

 

i've got a 4pk from last year in my fridge but ran out of room so this years is sitting out side of the fridge

 

IMHO opinion KBS is not worth aging, especially if they're going to be that warm, which will accelerate the aging process.

Always a good question to ask is: what are you hoping to accomplish by aging this beer? Does it feel like the components don't come together well? Too much coffee or barrel? Too boozy? Harsh?

Completely up to you, but aging a coffee-heavy barrel-aged stout in less than optimal conditions might not lead to good future results.

 

Agreed, KBS is best fresh. The coffee doesn't really fade and just becomes a bit more stale tasting over time.

 

Even on the bottle it states "consume fresh". Now I've had a year old KBS and it was fine. I wouldn't go too far past a year though. I always try to drink my coffee stouts as fresh as possible.

 

I love kbs at 6 months and I become very indifferent by 1 year. Not a candidate for mid to longer-term aging.

 

Most will say not to age it. However, if you don't have experience aging coffee beers and don't mind saving a bottle I'd put one aside and open it when next year's batch comes out. Think of it as a learning experience.

 

I picked up a brand new 7 cu.ft. chest freezer for $170 and a temp controller for $35. Fit my 36 bombers and about 18 twelve ounce bottles, of various beers. I still have room for 12 more bombers and 8 more twelves... I am just storing some KBS so they will last me until next years release. Like others have mentioned, I don't think it will really improve with age...

 

It seems like the general consensus is not to age KBS? I've seen a few cellar lists and photos that have KBS in it but a few people have commented that it isn't worth aging, any thoughts on how well it ages?

 

It is interesting to me that so many have indicated that it should not be stored/does not age well. A few things:

1) If you read the 2 or 3 other KBS threads that have been occurring since early March, you'll note that a lot of people seem to indicate that they have had favorable experiences with aging KBS.
2) Founder's specifically releases 1 and 2 year previous vintages when they release the current year. This is mostly on-tap, with several places offering vertical tastings. Also, some stores also get a previous year vintage in bottles. I was at a store this year that did, and I purchased 2 2016 bottles. I am doing a side by side comparison next weekend.
3) A Founder's rep at a KBS release I went to suggested saving 1 back for a vertical in future years.

#1 is personal preference, but it feels rather abnormal that the company would store some if people routinely said a year or 2 later "this has turned." It just doesn't make sense to me.

#3 is excusable by #1, but #2 still seems like good enough reason to consider it.

Personally, I like it so much fresh that I am not trying to age it. I am reserving 2 bottles for future year vertical comparisons, and drinking the rest at my leisure.

 

I don't see a lot of people saying it goes bad, just a lot of people saying it doesn't really improve with age and, like you, prefer it fresh. I have never had any aged so maybe I'll keep a few bottles to see for myself...

 

The cigarette-ash flavor of KBS becomes more prominent with age, do with that what you will...

 

I could have sworn either Kosmicki or Founders issued a statement that said KBS is meant to be enjoyed within the year. Wish I could find the link.

 

I read that too... Founder's posted it on their Facebook page.

 

Drank a 15-16-17 vertical last week. 15 was my favorite, the chocolate, coffee and booze really balanced nicely. The 17 was my least favorite, it seems thin and hot this year to me. I'm going to sit on mine for a while for sure.

 

I try not to age coffee beers, too many great coffee stouts have turned to green pepper flavored shit over the course of my adventures in cellaring.

 

I was at a talk earlier this year with a guy from Founders and another from Vivant. The Founders guy made it known that the chocolate ingredients in KBS don't do to well after 3 years or so, which can lead to some undesirable effects to your bowels.

 

Thus IBS