Founders KBS Blueberry 4Pk

Founders KBS Blueberry 4Pk is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial pastry stout brewed with Michigan blueberries, coffee, and chocolate at 11.2% ABV. Released to mark the 20th anniversary of the original KBS — the first beer Founders ever barrel-aged — this variant scored 91 on BeerAdvocate, earning widespread recognition among barrel-aged stout enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.2%  |  Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Pastry Stout  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built its national reputation in large part on KBS — Kentucky Breakfast Stout — which debuted as the brewery's very first foray into barrel aging. The base imperial stout is brewed with coffee and chocolate, then aged in bourbon barrels where it picks up layers of vanilla, oak, and bourbon character. For this anniversary variant, the brewers introduced a dose of Michigan-grown blueberries into the barrel-aged stout, adding a fruit dimension that distinguishes it from other expressions in the KBS lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich bourbon barrel character leads, layered with roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a subtle undercurrent of fresh blueberry. Vanilla and brown sugar emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and sweet, with milk chocolate, toffee, and a concentrated blueberry tang that develops at mid-palate. Coffee bitterness stays restrained, letting bourbon-soaked oak and currant-like fruit flavors share the stage. The interplay between blueberry sweetness and roasted malt deepens with each sip.

Finish: Long and viscous with a smooth, oily texture. Lingering notes of vanilla, dark fruit, and barrel char fade slowly, leaving a warming bourbon impression.

How to Drink KBS Blueberry

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to fully open the barrel and fruit character; avoid serving ice-cold, which mutes the complexity. This stout is best enjoyed on its own as a sipping beer, but it also shines in beer-forward mixed drinks: a Bourbon Barrel Float using a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream accentuates the chocolate and blueberry notes; a Stout Flip (whole egg, simple syrup, nutmeg) highlights the creamy body; and a Black Velvet riff topped with a small measure of dry sparkling wine adds effervescence that cuts through the richness.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer collector who hunts limited barrel-aged releases
• Capping off a multi-course dinner as a dessert beer alongside chocolate or berry tarts
• Vertical tastings comparing KBS Blueberry against the original KBS and other KBS variants
• Celebratory occasions that call for a high-ABV sipper with presence and complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KBS Blueberry taste like? KBS Blueberry delivers a full-bodied blend of milk chocolate, toffee, roasted coffee, and bourbon barrel vanilla, punctuated by a distinct blueberry tang and dark fruit sweetness. The texture is thick, smooth, and almost oily, with low bitterness and moderate residual sweetness.

How does KBS Blueberry compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are benchmark bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but KBS Blueberry adds coffee, chocolate, and Michigan blueberries to its base, resulting in a more layered fruit-and-roast profile. Bourbon County Brand Stout tends to lean heavier on pure barrel, caramel, and dark fruit without added adjuncts.

Is KBS Blueberry good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 11.2% ABV with a viscous, smooth body, it is designed as a slow-sipping stout best poured into a snifter at cellar temperature to appreciate the full range of barrel and fruit character.

Where is KBS Blueberry made? KBS Blueberry is brewed by Founders Brewing Company at their facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the original KBS was born as the brewery's first-ever barrel-aged beer.

What foods pair well with KBS Blueberry? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the stout's cocoa notes; blueberry cheesecake echoes the fruit addition; smoked brisket contrasts the sweetness with savory char; aged Gouda complements the caramel and toffee tones; and espresso crème brûlée ties into the coffee backbone.

What sizes does KBS Blueberry come in? KBS Blueberry is commonly available as a 4-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for this limited release.

Is KBS Blueberry worth the price? KBS Blueberry positions as a premium limited-release barrel-aged stout, priced above everyday craft beer but in line with comparable adjunct-heavy, bourbon barrel-aged imperials. Its 91-point BeerAdvocate score and anniversary significance support its standing in the category.

Why KBS Blueberry?

KBS Blueberry exists because of a specific milestone — the 20th anniversary of the beer that launched Founders into barrel aging. The addition of Michigan blueberries to a proven base of bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with coffee and chocolate creates a variant that is more than a novelty; the fruit genuinely reshapes the flavor architecture. A 91-point BeerAdvocate score from nearly 180 ratings confirms it holds up under critical scrutiny. For drinkers who already respect the original KBS, this expression offers a distinct new angle on one of American craft brewing's most influential barrel-aged stouts.