Founders KBS Iced Latte 4Pk

Founders KBS Iced Latte 4Pk is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial golden ale brewed with coffee, cocoa nibs, lactose, and vanilla at 11% ABV. Rated 4.0 out of 5 on Untappd across nearly 5,700 ratings, this release marks a striking departure from the iconic KBS stout lineage by building on a golden ale base rather than a heavy imperial stout.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Michigan, United States  |  Style: Imperial Golden Ale, Bourbon Barrel-Aged  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built its reputation on bold, boundary-pushing ales — none more famous than KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), which became one of the most sought-after barrel-aged stouts in American craft brewing. KBS Iced Latte reimagines that framework entirely by swapping the dense imperial stout base for an imperial golden ale, creating a lighter-bodied canvas for the same bourbon barrel treatment. The brew incorporates coffee, cocoa nibs, milk sugar (lactose), and vanilla extract, then ages in bourbon barrels to weave warmth and complexity through a surprisingly approachable package.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vanilla and caramel lead the nose, followed by roasted coffee and a subtle cocoa sweetness. Light bourbon barrel oak lingers underneath, tying the aromatics together without overpowering the coffee-forward character.

Taste: The entry is creamy and latte-sweet, with a large malt backbone supporting coffee and cream flavors up front. Mid-palate brings cocoa and vanilla into focus, layered over gentle bourbon warmth. The lactose adds body and smoothness without tipping into cloying territory, while the golden ale base keeps things lighter than a traditional barrel-aged stout.

Finish: Silky and warming, with toasty malt, lingering vanilla, and a fading coffee roastiness. The bourbon barrel influence emerges most clearly here, adding a dry oak note that balances the residual sweetness.

How to Drink KBS Iced Latte

Serve cold but not ice-cold — around 45–50°F lets the vanilla, coffee, and barrel complexity open up fully. This is best enjoyed on its own as a sipper, given its 11% ABV and layered flavor profile. For a dessert float, pour it over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent after-dinner treat. It also works in a Beer Cocktail Flip — shake with an egg yolk and a dash of simple syrup for a rich, frothy nightcap. For a twist on an Espresso Martini riff, use a small measure of KBS Iced Latte in place of coffee liqueur alongside vodka and fresh espresso.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who already admire the KBS series
• Dessert pairing at a dinner party — a standalone course in a glass
• Cold-weather evening sipping by a fire
• Gifting to someone who loves coffee-forward barrel-aged beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KBS Iced Latte taste like? KBS Iced Latte delivers a creamy, coffee-and-vanilla-forward flavor profile with cocoa undertones and gentle bourbon barrel warmth, all built on a smooth golden ale base rather than a heavy stout.

How does KBS Iced Latte compare to the original Founders KBS? The original KBS is an imperial stout — dark, dense, and intensely roasty — while KBS Iced Latte uses an imperial golden ale base, resulting in a lighter body and more prominent vanilla-latte sweetness. Both share bourbon barrel aging and coffee as core elements, but the drinking experience is distinctly different.

Is KBS Iced Latte good for sipping neat? At 11% ABV with layered coffee, vanilla, cocoa, and barrel notes, KBS Iced Latte is built for slow sipping and rewards patience as it warms slightly in the glass.

Where is KBS Iced Latte made? KBS Iced Latte is brewed by Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of the most recognized craft breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with KBS Iced Latte? Chocolate lava cake complements the cocoa and vanilla notes naturally. Tiramisu echoes the coffee-and-cream character. Salted caramel brownies play off the barrel sweetness. Aged Gouda offers a savory counterpoint to the lactose richness. Pecan pie aligns with the toasty malt and bourbon undertones.

What sizes does KBS Iced Latte come in? KBS Iced Latte is available as a 4-pack, following the standard format for Founders' KBS series releases.

Is KBS Iced Latte worth the price? KBS Iced Latte positions as a premium craft offering within Founders' limited and specialty lineup, and its bourbon barrel aging, specialty ingredients, and 11% ABV place it firmly in the elevated craft tier where drinkers expect complexity beyond everyday ales.

Why KBS Iced Latte?

The core innovation here is the base beer itself. Where nearly every bourbon barrel-aged coffee beer on the market starts with a stout or porter, KBS Iced Latte builds on an imperial golden ale — a decision that foregrounds the coffee, vanilla, and lactose creaminess rather than burying them under heavy roast grain. The result is a beer that genuinely evokes an iced latte experience while still delivering the bourbon barrel depth that made the KBS name iconic. With a 4.0 rating on Untappd across thousands of reviews, it has proven its appeal well beyond novelty. For drinkers who love the KBS universe but want something lighter in body without sacrificing complexity, this expression fills a gap that few other barrel-aged beers even attempt.