Founders KBS Iced Mocha 4Pk

Founders KBS Iced Mocha 4Pk is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout brewed with coffee and chocolate, sold in a 4-pack of 12 oz containers at 11% ABV. A seasonal variant in Founders' acclaimed KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) series, this expression layers cold-brew coffee intensity over the decadent barrel-aged base that made KBS one of the most sought-after American stouts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Co. was established in 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers. The original KBS — Kentucky Breakfast Stout — debuted as a draft-only offering and quickly became one of the most celebrated barrel-aged stouts in the American craft beer landscape. The Iced Mocha variant builds on the KBS foundation of an imperial stout brewed with coffee and chocolate, then aged in bourbon barrels, adding an emphasis on cold-brew coffee and mocha character that differentiates it from the classic release. Founders is now fully owned by Spanish brewing group Mahou San Miguel, though production of KBS and its variants continues in Grand Rapids.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark roasted coffee leads immediately, followed by bittersweet chocolate, vanilla from the bourbon barrel, and a subtle undercurrent of caramel. As it warms, fudge-like sweetness and a whisper of oak emerge.

Taste: The first sip delivers a surge of cold-brew coffee bitterness balanced by milk chocolate sweetness and a silky mouthfeel. At mid-palate, bourbon barrel influence introduces vanilla, light char, and toasted oak. The mocha character integrates as the coffee and chocolate converge, with a restrained sweetness that avoids becoming cloying despite the stout's substantial body.

Finish: Long and roasty, with espresso bitterness lingering alongside dark chocolate and a gentle bourbon warmth. A dry cocoa note and faint tannic grip from the barrel aging close things out cleanly.

How to Drink KBS Iced Mocha

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to allow the full aromatic profile to develop; avoid serving ice-cold, as the coffee and barrel nuances flatten at low temperatures. This is a sipping beer built for deliberate enjoyment rather than cocktail mixing. That said, it works as a float over vanilla ice cream for a boozy affogato-style dessert, can be used as the stout component in a Black Velvet riff paired with dry sparkling wine, or stirred into a beer-based twist on a White Russian using coffee liqueur and cream.

Best For

• Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts during a barrel-aged stout tasting lineup
• Gifting to a coffee lover who appreciates complex dark beers
• After-dinner dessert pairing on a cold-weather evening
• Cellaring short-term (6–12 months) to see how barrel and coffee flavors evolve

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KBS Iced Mocha taste like? KBS Iced Mocha delivers intense cold-brew coffee and dark chocolate flavors layered over a rich imperial stout base, with bourbon barrel aging contributing vanilla, oak, and subtle warmth at 11% ABV.

How does KBS Iced Mocha compare to the original Founders KBS? The original KBS presents a more balanced interplay between coffee, chocolate, and bourbon barrel, while Iced Mocha pushes the coffee element further forward with a pronounced mocha quality that gives it a more dessert-forward profile. Both share the same barrel-aged imperial stout foundation and 11% ABV.

Is KBS Iced Mocha good for sipping neat? Yes — poured into a proper glass at cellar temperature, it rewards slow sipping, as the layered coffee, chocolate, and barrel notes reveal themselves gradually as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Where is KBS Iced Mocha made? KBS Iced Mocha is brewed by Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the brewery has operated since its founding in 1997.

What foods pair well with KBS Iced Mocha? Chocolate lava cake mirrors the stout's cocoa intensity; smoked brisket matches the barrel char; a sharp aged cheddar provides savory contrast; tiramisu echoes the coffee-forward profile; and salted caramel brownies complement the beer's sweetness without overwhelming it.

What sizes does KBS Iced Mocha come in? KBS Iced Mocha is sold in a 4-pack of 12 oz containers, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is KBS Iced Mocha worth the price? KBS Iced Mocha positions as a premium seasonal craft release within the barrel-aged stout category, and its bourbon barrel aging, specialty coffee and chocolate additions, and limited availability justify a higher price point than standard imperial stouts.

Why KBS Iced Mocha?

The KBS line has earned its reputation as one of the benchmarks for American barrel-aged imperial stouts, and the Iced Mocha variant represents a focused exploration of the coffee-chocolate axis that defines the series. The bourbon barrel aging provides structural depth — vanilla, oak tannin, and gentle heat — without overpowering the mocha character that gives this variant its identity. At 11% ABV, it carries its strength with restraint, drinking smoother than many imperial stouts of comparable potency. For anyone who has appreciated the original KBS and wants to see how far the template can stretch toward a cold-brew coffee profile, this is a compelling release.