Founders Brewing Company KBS American Double / Imperial Stout at 12.3% ABV | 70 IBU (C$8.25 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 355 ml, packaged on 13-Feb-2018, acquired 24-May-2018, reviewed 31-May-2018)
Appearance: opaque black with no relief, one fat finger of rocky beige head, excellent retention and well-defined lacing. (5/5) Aroma: bourbon, toasted malts, dark chocolate, coffee, oak, dark fruit. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (9/10) Palate: full body, soft carbonation, off-dry bitter warming finish. (4/5)
The perennial problem with landing a white whale: is it worth it? Well, I guess that depends on how seriously you took the hype, dunnit? Is it great? Hells yes. Awesome? You could make that argument. Perfect? … nahhh… Now, you have to understand, at this level, it’s not so much criticism, as picky little issues. To be specific: there’s just the very slightest hint of harshness in the bourbon aroma, the flavour on the tongue could stand to be just a hair smoother, and the finish is just a bit too sweet. Bottom line, this is a “flavored stout” that, well, feels flavoured – which is to say, not quite natural. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll sock one away and try it again in a year, but I don’t feel any particular urgency to make a priority out of a multi-year collection and vertical. (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
