Founders Brewing KBS Blueberry Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Beer Name: KBS Blueberry
Brewery: Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI)
ABV: 11.2%

How sold: 12 oz bottles; on draft
Where bought: Total Wine & More (Vancouver, WA)
Price: $7.99 for 12 oz. bottle, or $23.99 for 4-pack

Date Bottled: July 11, 2023

Date Bought: September 14, 2023
Date Drank: September 14, 2023
When brewed? Seasonal beer. Generally available from July to September.
IBUs: 45

Commercial Description: "It’s time to celebrate two decades of barrel-aging imperial stouts with KBS Blueberry. In honor of the 20th anniversary of KBS, we’ve given this legendary beer a dose of Michigan blueberries. The alluring aroma of dessert brings you in, while layers of vanilla, coffee, chocolate, oak and bourbon barrel notes become more profound with every sip. A sweet and sophisticated tribute to a world-renowned beer."

Where distributed: Founders Brewing distributes to most U.S. states. Founders started distribution to Washington and Oregon in February 2017. Founders ships just some beers to Hawaii, but not this one.

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured black into a plastic cup (didn't have fancy glasses in my hotel room). Some tan head that can be frothy if the beer slightly warms before pouring. 4.5/5

Smell (25%): Mostly chocolate and pleasing barrel-age presence. 4.5/5

Taste (40%): Large chocolate presence at the start, with more vanilla and blueberry on the second wave. Bourbon-barrel aging throughout that complements everything. Octane very well-controlled and a dangerous, tasty stout. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Full-bodied, some carbonation. Velvety on the tongue. 4.5/5

Overall (20%): An outstanding Imperial Stout. While an amazing beer, I think the sweetness from the vanilla and blueberries hurt this one when comparing it to the KBS and CBS varieties I had on draft in 2017. KBS Blueberry works and I still recommend that stout lovers try it if available. 4.5/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.5/5