Founders Brewing Co. finds new approach to releasing KBS

On a yearly interval, Founders Brewing company releases one of the top beers in the country, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. Currently ranked #9 by users of the popular craft beer site, BeerAdvocate.com, this beer has become very difficult to find over the last few years. In previous years the brewery would hold an official release day on which fanatics would gather their mules (beer slang for people brought along to facilitate the purchases of excess quantities), and stand outside the building as early as midnight, just to receive 12-24 bottles each when they opened at 10 or 11. Last year, the craziness came to a head when the turnout was so overwhelming that Founders cut in half the stated allotment of one case per person, and even then, hundreds left empty-handed.

Fast-forward to this year with the most recent installment of their Backstage Series, Bolt Cutter. To avoid long lines and chaos, they chose to sell tickets to buy bottles, with proceeds benefiting local charities. Each person that bought a ticket was able to pick up two bottles on a specified day, over a 5 day period. No lines, no mules, no insanity. Tickets didn't even sell out for a couple of weeks, giving all of those interested a chance to grab one. Their approach worked so well that it is now being carried over to the KBS release, with a limited amount getting distributed throughout the brewery's footprint.

For some, the camaraderie of standing in the cold for hours and sharing beers with complete strangers is part of the experience. For the rest of us with grown-up responsibilities that love this beer and would like to purchase more than a few bottles at their local store, the change is welcomed.

So after my long-winded description of the event surrounding one of my favorite beers, here is the release information directly from Founders...

The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth (Update)

Ever since the announcement here two months ago that we are doing another "The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth" craft beer party this summer, we've been working pretty hard at getting all of the pieces put in place. I just wanted to provide everyone with a reminder, and a few updates...

Where: Fiddler's Hearth (Main Street, South Bend)
When: June 30th, 11am-11pm
Price: No ticket required to get in, pay for only what you order

We are working on a really unique and special tap list for the day, consisting of constantly rotating taps. In addition to the Founders KBS that was originally announced, we will have the FIRST EVER sale of Bare Hands beer outside of the brewery, with a firkin of ThaiP.A! This is one of their most popular beers, and the first firkin of it ever made.

Alongside the great beers from Bare Hands will be two special Four Horsemen beers (Porter & American Wheat), personally crafted by your favorite (I hope) South Bend beer blogger - me! The Porter is an intensely roasty beer with hints of chocolate and coffee, smoothed out with caramel and rich mahogany. On a lighter side is a citrusy and hoppy American Wheat brewed exclusively with the immensely popular Citra hops. Both the Porter and American Wheat are great examples of fun beers coming from my experience with Four Horsemen. Stephen, Sam, Ben and John have been so great to work with and I'm learning so much about the craft beer business!

So when I originally sat down with Sean and Jeremy of Fiddler's Hearth, we all agreed that we wanted this event to be even BIGGER and BETTER than the already successful party back in November. So in addition to the ultra-limited Founders KBS and the specialty beers from Bare Hands, Four Horsemen, etc., we needed one more beer to really put this event over the top...

So without further ado, we would like to announce that an extremely rare keg of Black Note from Bell's will be on tap at some point during the day! If you haven't had the opportunity to try this highly sought after beer yet, you will not want to miss it!

So this is just a taste of what's to come, and the very long final tap list will include specialty beers from such favorites as 3 Floyds, Greenbush, Founders, etc. This party is exactly four weeks away, so look for updates and more info as we get closer!

"The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth" Craft Beer Party

It's official... Based on the raging success of the previous "The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth" craft beer party, we've decided to hold it twice per year, with the next one being held on June 30th starting at 11am!

This event is all about bringing craft beer drinkers together to drink rare and specialty beer from our favorite local and regional breweries. As of now, we've got beer from 3 Floyds, Founders, Bell's, Greenbush, FHBC, Bare Hands and many more slated to be on tap throughout the day. Along with the great beer, there will be a special food menu and brewery schwag handed out all day.

Oh, I almost forgot...

The only area keg of Founders KBS will be on tap at some point during the day! One of my (and many others) favorite beers, available only once per year and we are saving it for this event.

Keep an eye out for more details to come... We hope to see you there!

Founders KBS release info

Nearly every month seems to have an exciting release, and one of the most anticipated of the year is March, with the release of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS). KBS is not only one of my top 3 favorite beers (check out my review from last year), but it also highly rated on Beer Advocate and other beer related websites. 

For those not familiar with KBS, from the Founders website...

"What we've got here is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year to make sure wonderful bourbon undertones come through in the finish. Makes your taste buds squeal with delight."

Founders has posted information regarding the release of KBS at the brewery here, but the bullet points are as follow...

• Saturday, March 10th at 11am at their Taproom in Grand Rapids
• To purchase a case, 4-pack or individual bottle, enter through the rear entrance
• $114 per case, $19 per 4-pack, $4.75 per bottle, 1 case limit
• First come, First serve. KBS will sell out quickly

If you'd rather skip the shenanigans of the release party and pick some up around the South Bend area, keep in mind that bottles are extremely difficult to come by and often sell out without hitting shelves. To the best of my recollection, Fiddler's Hearth (South Bend, IN) and Wheatberry (Buchanan, MI) had KBS on tap last year shortly after it was released at the brewery. When I hear more, I'll be sure to pass along the information.

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Style:  Imperial Stout
Brewery: Founders
Package: Bottle into Bruges
ABV: 11.2%
IBU: 70
Location: Citywide & Belmont

Aroma: A complex weave of bourbon, chocolate, coffee and roasted malt.

Appearance: Dark as midnight, maybe darker. No light escapes this brew and is complete with a one-finger thick brown head.

Taste: KBS has huge taste consisting of chocolate, roasted malt, and just a hint of tobacco. Finishes dry with warmth from the bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Thick, coats everything and stays with you. Very light carbonation in this.

  Overall: A really great tasting brew with big, complex tastes. Certainly not a session brew, this is great for sitting back, relaxing and enjoying each sip.

Notes:  I was lucky enough to pick up some bottles at Citywide, and then a few weeks later at Belmont on S.B. Ave. This is a very rare and sought after beer every year, running around $7-8 per 12oz bottle. Fiddler's Hearth on Main St. in South Bend also has a keg of this every year shortly after its official release. This is a really great beer, aged in bourbon barrels for an entire year before it is released. If you missed it this year, mark your calendars for the beginning of March next year and pickup a bottle or two... just make sure to leave me some.

Grade: A+

KBS available at Belmont on S.B. Ave in South Bend

There is still some bottles of Founders KBS available at the Belmont on South Bend Ave in South Bend. Make sure you stop by and pick some up, along with other great beer. Last chance until next year!

Founders KBS night at Fiddler's Hearth

What's good here?  Just kidding, I'll have the KBS.

Another great night at Fiddler's Hearth as they tap a keg of Founders KBS, a fantastic brew of chocolate, coffee and bourbon that is very difficult to find outside of their Grand Rapids Brew Pub. 

A lot of "who's who" in the Michaina craft beer community showed up, including Matt from World Class Beverage, Ben from Indiana Beer, guys from Belmont Beverage and several other enthusiasts.

A special thanks to Jeremy (Bar Banager) and Kim (Bar Tender) from Fiddler's for their hospitality, making a random Wednesday evening very enjoyable.  By the time you read this, I'm sure KBS will be sold out, however they are THE craft beer pub in South Bend, so check them out.

In the coming week or two I will have a dedicated review of Founders KBS, along with Fiddler's Hearth; make sure you stop back by TheBeerIsGood.com for more!

Founders KBS is here! (Sorta)

The long awaited Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) was tapped at their brewpub in Grand Rapids last Saturday and as of today, is available in limited quantities around this area.  Thanks to the fine folks over at Citywide, they put me on the list to purchase this rare brew, as it will never see the shelf.

For those unfamiliar with KBS, it is packed with flavor from being brewed with tons of coffee and chocolate, then aged for a year in bourbon barrels and stored in a cave.  Supply is extremely limited and is generally rationed out in our area.

In an attempt to help some of you find KBS, I called Chalet Party Shoppe and Belmont Beverage; all of their supply is spoken for.


Keep an eye on thebeerisgood.com for a review on this great stout!