Beer Review: Founders - KBS

Founders Brewing Co.
KBS
Imperial Stout
11.2% ABV

Appearance: Pours an opaque black with two and a half fingers of rich, tan foam.

Smell: Bourbon, vanilla, oak, earthiness, baking chocolate, and lightly roasted coffee.

Taste: Follows the nose with bitter chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, coffee, oak, a bit of sweet vanilla and lots of great bourbon flavor. Not overly boozy. Just right.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and silky smooth with a semi-dry oaky finish and fairly low carbonation.

Wow. I have to say that even after all of the hype surrounding this beer, I was still impressed. I was sort of expecting to be disappointed, assuming that this was just another one of those beers that quickly became overrated. Definitely not the case with KBS. It deserves all of the accolades it has received. I only wish it wasn't so hard to acquire as it is quite simply one of the top 5 best stouts I've ever had. Complex, flavorful, smooth, well-balanced, not too boozy (despite it's high ABV) and just an all-around pleasure to drink. The quintessential barrel aged stout.
Liquid perfection.

5 out of 5