Founders Brewing sports a well- loved portfolio of craft beers and arguably the most highly sought- after of all is KBS, Founders popular bourbon barrel- aged stout. Now, craft beer fans will be able to get their mouths around a bottle of KBS anytime they like, as Founders has decided to add this beer to its year- round lineup.
Founders Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmiki explains that taking a barrel- aged brew like KBS from seasonal status to everyday availability is no easy feat.
“There are a lot of variables when barrel-aging and moving a beer like KBS from a seasonal release to year-round really makes having a solid blending plan even more important,” said Kosmicki. “KBS has been a large volume brand for a while now, so the days of making the entire batch exactly 12 months before the release date are far behind us. We’ve gotten pretty good at finding the right blend of nine-month-old barrels and 15-month-old barrels to hit the desired profile. We were able to pull off the transition when we moved Backwoods Bastard to a year-round release and we’re confident we can achieve the same consistency and quality with KBS.”
KBS is an imperial stout with strength and complexity. As a longtime fan myself, I can vouch for this beer’s ability to sneak up on you. At 12 percent alcohol by volume, it’s not the type of beer to take lightly. It’s also complex and thought- provoking, with flavors of whiskey, coffee, roast, and chocolate combining to make it perfect for a philosophical conversation.
Founders Brewing Co- Founder and President Dave Engbers is pleasantly bewildered to have reached the day when KBS becomes a round- the- clock brew.
“It’s humbling to look back at what started as a couple of experimental barrels of beer has evolved into such an amazing phenomenon,” said Engbers. “To be able to make KBS available year-round, not to mention in all 50 states, so all of our fans can find and enjoy this beer marks a significant step in growth of the brewery. It’s truly a labor of love as our team can attest, but it’s all worth it in the end. Cheers to everyone on our team who makes it a reality.”
KBS 2020 will be available at the Grand Rapids, Michigan taproom and the Detroit taproom, both on draft and in 4- packs of 12 oz. bottles, starting on February 28, 2020. Starting in early March, it will make its way coast to coast across the entire 50 state Founders distribution footprint. Look for it at stores where Founders beer is presently sold, grab a four pack, and toast to the year- round availability of this timeless classic.
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