Deep in the underlying caves beneath Grand Rapids sits an oak bourbon barrel waiting until the right time. Greatness isn’t achieved quickly. No, it takes time and preparation, age and experience, to grab the world’s attention. After a years time, the bourbon barrel will be ready to take on the world and re-establish its contents as one of the highest rated beers in the world.
The Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) is coming, and Founders Brewing Co. is preparing for their third annual KBS week.
“Mike and I look forward to this week every year,” said co-Founder and President Dave Engbers, “It is fantastic working with our wholesalers and retail partners to create a community-centric week centered around the release of KBS. We are so grateful to our West Michigan community for the support throughout the years and it makes sharing KBS with all of them that much more special.”
KBS is an imperial stout brewed with massive amounts of coffee and chocolate and then aged in oak bourbon barrels for a year. The beer will be available statewide on March 14 and across the nation on April 1. However, those here in Grand Rapids will be able to enjoy the beer a week earlier from March 7 – March 12.
KBS Week began in response to the overwhelming notoriety KBS has developed over the years and a desire to share that with the West Michigan beer-loving community on a broader scale. During KBS week, fifteen Founders-supporting bars and restaurants in the Grand Rapids area will each tap a keg of KBS on a day and time of their choosing between March 7 and 11. KBS Week will culminate on Saturday, March 12 with the Founders taproom release party, where KBS will be poured all day.
Below is the full list of bars and restaurants participating, and their tapping time, during KBS week:
Monday, March 7
5:00pm HopCat
7:00pm Rockwell’s/Republic
9:00pm Derby Station
Tuesday, March 8
5:00pm The Winchester
7:00pm Monelli’s
9:00pm Z’s Bar
Wednesday, March 9
5:00pm Gravity
7:00pm The Score
9:00pm Uccello’s: Caledonia
Thursday, March 10
5:00pm Vitale’s: Comstock Park
7:00pm Buffalo Wild Wings
9:00pm The Cottage Bar
Friday, March 11
5:00pm Village Inn
7:00pm The Meanwhile
9:00pm J. Gardella’s Tavern
Saturday, March 12
Founders Taproom Draft Release – All Day
On top of the tap parties held around the city, bottles of KBS will be available for pickup in the Founder’s taproom. The bottles will be released using a pre-ticketed reservation process on Eventbrite. Bottles can be reserved beginning Saturday, February 13 at 11am. and they will be available for pickup March 8-12.
From out-of-town? A handful of area hotels will be offering KBS week packages. More information available at Experience Grand Rapids.
While the nation waits to get their hands on a delicious Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Grand Rapids will be ready for brunch.
