Founders KBS (is it worth the cost)?

[Pyg]

Unless you add bourbon to the beer, you're not going to make beer like Founder's KBS, unless you do like they do and get actual bourbon barrels.

I can get 15 gallon rye whiskey barrels, but its easier, cheaper and more predictable to use actual bourbon and wood cubes to get a similar flavor profile. Note that the amount of actual bourbon that needs to be added is probably less than .5 oz/gallon. I currently have a 3 gallon batch of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (sort of a clone attempt) that I'm tweaking.

It has about 1 oz of bourbon for 3 gallons, but the flavor and aroma just aren't strong enough, I'll probably add another oz. of bourbon, let it sit a while and think about it before I add more.

I just found a recipe and I marking my calendar to attempt towards the end of the summer.
Question about your version of KBS:
What bourbon do you use?
How long do you age?

 

[jmcquesten]

Assumptions:

1. 20 MPG vehicle
2. $3.00/Gallon of gas
3. 100 minutes round trip at 60 MPH = 100 miles

Rough calculation has you spending ~ $15.00 in gas, which adds $3.75 to the cost per bottle. Hope you were 'trip chaining' for other purposes.

Closer to 80 miles and $2/gallon gas, but I see what you're saying. The gas wasn't really my point though. I said that it was worth the 5.99 per bottle that I paid (that store) for it. I could have waited a few more days and tried to get it at the location 10 minutes from me, but I didn't want to wait. And yes, we did stop at another store that was in that area, that I don't have closer to me. But we went for the drive specifically for the beer. I hadn't tried it before and had read and heard about it for several years now. I found a place that had it, and didn't have anything else going on at the moment, so I decided to take a little ride.

Again, I wouldn't pay $24 (or whatever you figure it to be) for a 4 pack or $6 each on a daily basis, but for a rare treat it IS worth it. And it's certainly better than paying $6 - $8 on an average to decent craft beer out at any restaurant or bar.

I will say that after drinking this, I'm starting to consider trying to brew it. I've never had the desire to brew to brew a coffee/chocolate/bourbon stout.

 

[PADave]

I get your point here, but srsly, a 335,000 dollar vehicle comparison to a 25 dollar 4 pack. Buying a decent barrel stout hardly compares to driving a rolls around as standard. That, and well, to people who feel a kia is sufficient probably cant step up to a 300k rolls royce. But most who buy a 10 dollar sixer can likely splash out 25 for a beer. Especially considering we are on a forum filled with passion about beer. If your "life options" include the option to buy a kia or rolls.....go rolls royce just my opinion.

That was just an extreme example that popped into my head. To me, neither is really worth it, the $25/4 pack, or the RR. On the other hand, most people wouldn't spend on a motorcycle what I did. My point is, to each their own, and only you can decide.

 

[applescrap]

I just found a recipe and I marking my calendar to attempt towards the end of the summer.
Question about your version of KBS:
What bourbon do you use?
How long do you age?

Did you feel it was worth the money? How was the beer? Glad you found the recipe.


Madscientist was dead on. See due to puritan laws (i think) they cant add liquor to liquor so they must age it in barrels or soak wood chips. Since we are home brewers we can do whatever we want....so back to your question which you didnt ask me but i wanted to offer my thoughts. The options are cool and unlimited. You can add your favorite bourbon at racking or you could rack it and add a scaled down amount to each glass you drink. Therefore you could try unlimited combinations of different bourbons and amounts until you find the combo you like best. My plan with these in the future is to buy a giant tea ball from adventures in homebrew and to soak bourbon in cubes or chips for a long time and add that to the beer. Then pull the ball when i like the wood level of flavor. If you do the former and taste in glasses before you add to keg you can always add to keg later when you know exactly what you like.

Ps-For the coffee i recommend adding cold brew to the keg at racking. Before i got into coffee i accomplished this easily and with good results by buying 16oz of starbucks cold brew, no ice, no water added, and adding that at racking. I didnt like the taste when boiled or added and sitting in fermentor. Ymmv of course

 

[wyowolf]

Is there a recipe for this?

 

[applescrap]

Yeah buddy, released by the brewer. For both kbs and bs.

 

[Gabbs1228]

In Lexington, KY where I live, our local chain liquor store (located in multiple cities in Kentucky only) had a first-come-first-served sale on Saturday, April 1. The store limited each customer to 2 12 oz bottles or 1 750ml bottle. The singles were $7.99 each. Doing the math, the 4 pk would have been $32.00.

So yes, to me, the $25.00 is worth the beer. It's an experience. Is a $25.00 experience for your only life? Yep.

Its like paying $20 for an ounce of Utopias last year. Yes it was a lot to spend but it was an experience I'll never forget.

 

[allanmorgan]

Yeah buddy, released by the brewer. For both kbs and bs.

Picked up a bottle last night for $7.99. I also made the beer from a clone recipe and still have a few bottles. Brewed this in Mar '16. Should be interesting to try one again to what changes have occurred.

Can you point me to where the recipe is located that was released by Founders?

 

[allanmorgan]

Never mind. Just found it. https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrew-recipe/kentucky-breakfast-stout/

 

[Cincybeer]

Got one 12 oz for $6 Limit 1 Will find out this weekend if it is as good as the hype

 

[Homercidal]

KBS is made form a blend of different bourbon barrels. Also, they sample each barrel of KBS while before bottling for QC and blend the barrels they think will be best for the flavor they want. There is more variability between years with KBS than with non-barrel beers due to the variability of the barrels. (Although the same kind of thing can happen with hops, I suppose.)

I found this year's to be good, but it's not as strong as last year's, and I kind of like the more boozy flavor of last year's. The KBS clone my club made was even more boozy than any KBS I have had. Even after a year in the barrel it's still hot. I've got nearly 10 gallons worth of bottles aging. (Reminds me the wife wants them out of the living room. Should try and move them tonight. Not sure where yet.)

 

[jmcquesten]

KBS is made form a blend of different bourbon barrels. Also, they sample each barrel of KBS while before bottling for QC and blend the barrels they think will be best for the flavor they want. There is more variability between years with KBS than with non-barrel beers due to the variability of the barrels. (Although the same kind of thing can happen with hops, I suppose.)

I found this year's to be good, but it's not as strong as last year's, and I kind of like the more boozy flavor of last year's. The KBS clone my club made was even more boozy than any KBS I have had. Even after a year in the barrel it's still hot. I've got nearly 10 gallons worth of bottles aging. (Reminds me the wife wants them out of the living room. Should try and move them tonight. Not sure where yet.)

Just curious, why is your club's version hot? Is it the bourbon (too much?) or fermentation related? And, which recipe did yall use? I'm thinking about making one, so I'm wondering about the recipe and if there are any recommended adjustments. Thanks.

 

[swampbrewcrew]

Founders is coming to my area in a few weeks. Will be interesting to see the initial prices.

 

[Dcpcooks]

I'm sad! I remember when, back in the day. I could grab a few four packs for 12-14 and drink em like pigs at a Bears packers tailgate party. Sighhhhh

 

[alexnova]

Local wine/beer/cheese shop sent out an email this morning saying they had it. Even at 2 to a customer, the beer guy said their allotment was gone in 30 minutes.

Total Wine nearby had maybe 20 this evening. 2 per customer.

 

[TallDan]

Was happy last night when we stopped by the local beer bar/restaurant (our usual Monday night dinner) and they had it on tap.

 

[h22lude]

I really like it. Do I think it is worth $22 a 4 pack, no. Do I still buy it, yes. I wish it was just a little cheaper. $18 would be fine. I understand barrel aging takes up warehouse space which costs money but I think the hype drives the price up a few bucks a 4 pack.

If you like this you should try Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout. It is much cheaper. I like KBS more but SMS is similar enough. Side by side I can tell the difference. I'm not sure I would be able to if I had either alone. If you gave me SMS and said it was KBS, I'd probably believe you.

 

[olotti]

I really like it. Do I think it is worth $22 a 4 pack, no. Do I still buy it, yes. I wish it was just a little cheaper. $18 would be fine. I understand barrel aging takes up warehouse space which costs money but I think the hype drives the price up a few bucks a 4 pack.

If you like this you should try Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout. It is much cheaper. I like KBS more but SMS is similar enough. Side by side I can tell the difference. I'm not sure I would be able to if I had either alone. If you gave me SMS and said it was KBS, I'd probably believe you.

I love SMS and frankly think it's better although it's weird this year SMS went up to 12.7% and kbs went down to 11.5% which is what SMS was last year. I agree their very similar beers and SMS is so undaerated I got about a case of it no prob but then again kbs being Mi based its harder to get in my own state than SMS. So shhhh on the SMS and founders is starting to gouge which I'm not a fan of, I mean last year I got 4 packs of kbs for 18-20$ now this year it's 8$ singles or 25$ 4 packs and I can't see why they upped the price with more alleged kbs being made, it's a supply and demand and their def capitalizing on the demand which I understand but am not cool with.

 

[NSMikeD]

Bud and Coors Light at a ball park will cost you about $7 for a 12 ounce can , so based on that KBS is a bargain

 

[bobeer]

I'm all about trying all these hyped up beers as long as i don't pay a crazy amount, have to drive far to get it, or wait in line. I don't really need a 4/6er or anything. I just want a tasting or 1 bottle.

Helps keep your brewing game strong.

 

[Honda88]

I used to work at a liquor store and I can tell you that hype has tons to do with it. We used to move lots of high dollar beer and the main reason was because "it was the thing to be drinking". If any commercial brewers are listening to this. Market the crap out of your beer. Put the flashy label on it. People like being trendy. Make the new trend your beer and you will sell it.

 

[orionol73]

I love SMS and frankly think it's better although it's weird this year SMS went up to 12.7% and kbs went down to 11.5% which is what SMS was last year. I agree their very similar beers and SMS is so undaerated I got about a case of it no prob but then again kbs being Mi based its harder to get in my own state than SMS. So shhhh on the SMS and founders is starting to gouge which I'm not a fan of, I mean last year I got 4 packs of kbs for 18-20$ now this year it's 8$ singles or 25$ 4 packs and I can't see why they upped the price with more alleged kbs being made, it's a supply and demand and their def capitalizing on the demand which I understand but am not cool with.

The price only changed at your liquor store. Founders did not change the wholesale price. I bought my 4pk's at $20, the same as many years, and the 750ml's at $18.99. The gouging is the man smiling at you as you are willing paying him through the teeth because he has something you want.

 

[brick_haus]

I just bought a couple 4 packs, two different stores.
18.99 ea. with Club Bev discount.

 

[jmb7504]

Brick Haus you lucky devil.
I suppose i will look around for it in my area after posting this. I managed to find some sunday morning stout and even jackie o's barrel aged dark apparition. So if the Price isnt right, ill let someone else get some kbs this year.
Speaking of KBS, does anyone know about CBS? is it a brewpub only sorta thing at Founders?

 

[isomerization]

Had a bottle of 2017 KBS last night, wasn't blown away. It was certainly enjoyable (lots of coffee and vanilla), but I didn't really get a ton of bourbon notes. Admittedly, this is my favorite aspect of these types of beers, so that may have influenced my opinion.

The price per bottle isn't that bad when you consider what other well-distributed, big names charge (e.g. Avery, FW) for their barrel aged offerings.

 

[yeahfairly]

Splurging on something you enjoy every now and then is one of Life's Greatest Pleasures!!!! Most folks who would ridicule paying $25 bucks for a 4 pack of good beer wouldn't think twice about dropping $25 bucks for a steak at a restaurant, plopping down $35 bucks at the country Club for 18 holes of golf or $100 bucks for two dozen roses for their significant other for Valentines Day. I wouldn't hesitate..... Buy the Dang Beer!!!!

 

[jekeane]

I will buy random bottles like this occasionally with sharing them in mind and generally they are worth it.

I would easily pay for a $6 a bottle for this without flinching. Now paying $5-$6 a pint for 90% of the beer at local craft breweries that is where I struggle.

 

[orionol73]

Brick Haus you lucky devil.
I suppose i will look around for it in my area after posting this. I managed to find some sunday morning stout and even jackie o's barrel aged dark apparition. So if the Price isnt right, ill let someone else get some kbs this year.
Speaking of KBS, does anyone know about CBS? is it a brewpub only sorta thing at Founders?

CBS has only been released once. They may or may not brew some for limited kegging as some will show up occasionally in the tap room or random bars around Michigan.
Rumors of course are flying with the barrel aged series that it will be included this year. Time will tell

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

0 interest. I brew my own beer.

 

[olotti]

The price only changed at your liquor store. Founders did not change the wholesale price. I bought my 4pk's at $20, the same as many years, and the 750ml's at $18.99. The gouging is the man smiling at you as you are willing paying him through the teeth because he has something you want.

It must be my whole area than not just one store as I went to multiple stores to get what I could and they were all the same price, 7.50-8$ singles, 25$ 4 packs and 22$ bombers.