.355 in Kroken while trying to enjoy Manchester United's Europa League visit to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium. While I am arguably late to the party Founders' products have increasingly become my go-to brewery over the last couple of years due to the nigh on unbeatable combination of relatively low cost and - crucially - consistently very high quality of their products. I am yet to be disappointed and would argue that Founders is among the beer-aficionado's best friends in these trying times for our world. Having said that, the deep dark brown slightly oily, murky body of this brew is perhaps not the most inviting. The espresso-coloured head does help improve the looks along with the crocheted lacing. Given the alcohol level the first impressions of the aroma are perhaps lighter, less pungent and invasive than one would hope for and expect. Not that it is anything wrong with that, not at all. Regardless, the main impressions are of smoky, slightly bittersweet roasted malts with notes of wet charcoal, freshly baked brown bread and spices. The sweet component might be something akin to vanilla or similar. The flavour is at first distinctly sweeter when compared to the aroma. Again, this is not a problem, the KBS gives you an initial bitter smack on the snout before soothing you with its sweet touch. This reviewer always enjoy beers where the combination of aroma and flavour are distinctly different but come together to produce a great experience. The dark malts are still there, but the bitterness is less prominent in the notes of cocoa, dark chocolate and coffee. The characteristics of bread and vanilla from the aroma are joined by bourbon barrels leading into a long, dry and bitter finish. One could argue that the finish is too bitter and dry for some, and I might agree at least on some level. Regardless, this combination of aroma and flavours will take you on a rollercoaster-like brewbased thrillride. All in all the experience is helped by one of the most pleasing palates this reviewer has come across recently. Very much full-bodied, quite creamy, and slightly oily. I swear, this is (even) better than it sounds. Given my previous Founders reviews this is perhaps getting boring, but this comes - again - very much recommended. Great stuff!

Coffee,smooth.very malty and heavy body.lots of bitterness.Excellent. Tap@Leskinen,Oulu,FI

Cellar stuff. Still great but lacks some body.

bottiglia 355 ml, bottled on 02.11.2019, schiuma color nocciola media grana persistente, colore nero, al naso è un esplosione di profumi subito Bourbon poi caffè della moka cacao caramello vaniglia Vov legno, in bocca è avvolgente ricca Bourbon caffè Vov cioccolato fondente frutta secca vaniglia liquirizia, corpo strutturato, l’alcool si sente ed è equilibrato, carbonazione piatta, oily, dolce e allo stesso tempo secca, amaro accentuato lungo nel finale. Una birra complessa spettacolare ma l’avrei preferita un po' più rotonda. c. Beer-shop.it 17.02.23

For how boozy it is, pretty smooth. Nice bite

Dieses BIer brachte mein Kumpel Moretum vorbei und es erfreute uns den Abend; ein so hoch bewertetes Bier hatte ich noch nie. Allein schon durch den Alkoholgehalt erzeugt es ein warmes Gefühl in der Magengegend. Es hat intensive erdige, torfige Noten, die gemischt mit starken dunkle-Schokoladearomen ein besonderes Trinkerlebnis bieten. Dazu kommt ein Schuss Kirschlikör, der auch dazu führt, dass das Bier wirklich auch zu Kopf steigt. Sicher kein leichtes Bier, das aber eine wahre Aromenbombe ist. Jeden Abend wäre es mir zu schwer, aber das will das Bier auch gar nicht; es ist eindeutig ein Getränk für besondere Anlässe und dafür passt es wahrlich gut.

2018er Jahrgang. Tiefschwarze Farbe mit beiger Farbe. Prägnanter Duft nach Schokolade und Vanille. Geschmacklich sehr präsent und dicht mit Schokolade, Vanille, Bourbon, malzig und schwach hopfig. Hohe Süße mit leichter Bitterkeit, voller Körper mit sanfter Kohlensäure.