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Founders KBS

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Imperial Stout · One of 116 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

# Founders KBS Founders KBS is a rich Imperial Stout brewed with a complex blend of malts and aged in bourbon barrels, delivering intense flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and subtle oak with a smooth, velvety finish. The beer showcases a perfect balance of roasted grain character and bourbon warmth, with notes of vanilla and caramel that linger on the palate, creating a sophisticated and full-bodied drinking experience.

ABV
11.9%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
See all Imperial Stout alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Stout.
Malt character
coffee
roasted
caramel
chocolate
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
vanilla

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Founders KBS

◎ Appearance

Deep black to midnight brown color with minimal light penetration, characteristic of a premium Imperial Stout. A dense, tan head forms and persists well, indicating excellent retention and carbonation levels appropriate for the style. The beer presents an opaque, viscous appearance that suggests a full-bodied, luxurious drinking experience.

deep blackdense tan headopaqueviscous

◌ Aroma

The nose immediately presents rich roasted malt character with dominant notes of dark chocolate and espresso coffee, underpinned by vanilla and subtle oak from bourbon barrel aging. Secondary aromas of caramel and toasted grain add complexity, while the alcohol warmth is present but well-integrated without harshness. This is a sophisticated, layered bouquet that invites multiple nosings.

dark chocolateespresso coffeebourbon vanillaroasted malt

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a bold, creamy entry dominated by dark chocolate and roasted grain flavors that transition seamlessly into mid-palate notes of coffee and caramel sweetness. The 70 IBU provide measured bitterness that balances the richness without overwhelming the bourbon barrel complexity. The 11.9% ABV contributes warming alcohol notes that enhance rather than detract from the overall profile.

dark chocolatecreamy mouthfeelcoffee forwardbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and lingering, with chocolate and oak notes extending well into the aftertaste. Warming alcohol creates a pleasant, sophisticated fade that encourages contemplative sipping rather than quick drinking.

lingeringwarmingsmooth
89
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
90
Appearance
87
Finish
88
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Founders KBS

Serve at 13–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Founders KBS

About Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, coffee, chocolate character as Founders KBS will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →