Ty Cole

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2019) Cole

4/4 pack born 02.04.19. Had 3/4 April ‘20. This is holding but drink now, no aging left. As this ages, the booziness out paces the flavors. Only hint of chocolate w/ booze. As I’ve been learning & posting - drink all KBS fresh. Do NOT age, no reward!

KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge (2022) Cole

Had to abandon the ‘18 KBS (4 yr rule!). This has developed better in 1.75 yrs. Notes of KBS using Mackinac Fudge coffee, then adding maple syrup & aging it in oak BBL’s. Chewy w/ bitter chocolate in a sweet dessert Stout. Best variant recipe hands down.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2018) Cole

From the cellar. Last had 2019. Aged 4 yrs, hitting the 4 year Founders rule. A yearly released Imp Stout brewed w/ a massive amount of coffee & chocolates, then cave-aged under Grand Rapids MI in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year. Drink now, fading!

Ginger, Spice, Barreled And Nice Cole

I know so many don’t like Ginger - lucky I’m not so I can enjoy this. The soft BBA Barleywine vanilla smooth oaky caramel spiked w/ ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & especially the clove. I’m a fan of Gingerbread, Ginger Snaps & Ginger on Gilligan’s Island 😁!

Kbs (2023) Cole

Born 12.20.23. I’ve been enjoying these since 2014. They were hard to find & a prize found. Available everywhere now but not as sharp. The coffee bean would wake the dead. This yrs coffee & choc w/ choc a bit more. Still good, not GOAT! We’ve evolved 🤔?

KBS Spicy Chocolate (2023) Cole

12.26.23. Post Xmas day! Molé inspired KBS, added dried chili peppers & dark chocolate. This KBS is enhanced w/ dark choc addition & the peppers are subtle yet the heat builds per sip as a Molé should. Great new variant addition to the long standing GOAT!

Siracusa Nera Cole

1st had from my 4 pack in 2017. Let this warm! 7 yrs later & still a good brew w/ the Syrah wine grape dominating a bit over the RIS (55/45). Still an unique taste when fresh. Aging nicely but will drink my last (must of shared one 😁) sooner than later.

DKML (2017) Cole

Born ‘17. Worried FBC 7 yrs rule! 1st malt liquor worthy of a glass. Typically a slighted style, a class up in the wood & dry-hopping. The corn gives this one a smooth sweetness while its time spent aging in BBL’s gives you reason to share. 1 to share 😁!

Dankwood (2018) Cole

Another Founders 2018/19 in the cellar! Apparently I bought 1 ea of those on their last brew before Founders stopped them & I’ve been having each this past few days! Each has been amazing including this one. Should have bought a 4 pack of each - dumb guy!

Underground Mountain Brown Cole

Born 08.07.19. Was to be last year this was released officially. Aged 4.5 yrs & is still amazing. The coffee bean still front & center. Chocolate in the background. The bourbon oakiness is the body. Up there w/ KBS on aging but drink now, no need to wait.

Curmudgeon’s Better Half (2018) Cole

My last 2018.08.15. Aging into a Barleywine as the maple syrup has faded mostly away. Still an amazing brew. Drink now, no more aging required. Need this one back #foundersbrewing! This was best fresh to get the complexity & why it was highly rated early.

KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge (2022) Cole

This fudge has developed better in 1.5 yrs. Notes of KBS using Mackinac Fudge coffee, then adding maple syrup & aging it in oak BBL’s. Chewy w/ bitter chocolate in a sweet dessert Stout. Best variant recipe hands down.

Iris (2016) Cole

Yesterday share Trevor’s. New friends bringing the Lambics, Farmhouses, Saisons & Belgian’s. This has aged amazingly to a soft beautiful treat.

Panther Cub Cole

Cellar pull! Born Feb 2021 & still good. Smooth vanilla extract & maple swirling in the BBA notes. As I’ve been saying these past few yrs, Porters are the perfect vessel for barrel aging! Drink now, 3 yr Founders rule! Time for a new batch release 🍻!

Breakfast Stout (2022) Cole

Aging well @ just over 2 yrs. Been enjoying Breakfast, KBS & Canadian since 2015. Another one of those brews I’ve enjoyed for a bit, early seeking the hard find to available every yr! Don’t let those fade away, there was a reason we seeked them out 😁!

Backwoods Bastard 2021 Cole

2.5 years aged & tasting fine. Drink now though, time is running out 3yrs max on Founders barrel age program. Been enjoying this brew since 2012 when it made an appearance at of once great Magic City Brewfest w/out a name from founders.

KBS Spicy Chocolate (2023) Cole

A Molé inspired KBS, w/ added dried chili peppers & dark chocolate. The base KBS is enhanced w/ the dark chocolate addition & the peppers are subtle but the heat builds per sip as a Molé should. Great new variant addition to this long standing GOAT!

Kbs (2023) Cole

Born 12.20.23. I’ve been enjoying these since 2014. They were hard to find & a prize found. Available everywhere now but not as sharp. The coffee bean would wake the dead. This yrs coffee & choc w/ choc a bit more. Still good, not GOAT! We’ve evolved 🤔?

120 Minute IPA (2021) Cole

Every time - Jeez this is freaking good! 1st had an ‘08 in ‘14 - blown away. Have collected w/ so many aging in the cellar since, including another one of this. 2.5/3 yrs young & tasting phenomenal. The uniqueness leaves me speechless - shut up & enjoy!

KBS Blueberry Cole

I only bought one because I knew this flavor style would not be a great partner w/ KBS. And I do love blueberries! It’s ok but the flavor comes off tart/juicy & suppresses the beautiful KBS allure/notes we all ❤️, not compliment it. I was correct IMHO.

French Toast Bastard Cole

09.20.22. This is 🍁 baby. Maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla & already a beautiful BBA scotch wee heavy brew 😁! This opens up nicely & quickly to enjoy all notes. I believe I’m getting the eggs on the toast as well in the flavors! Incredible 1.5 yrs young.

World Wide Stout (2023) Cole

So amazed by this complex beer readily available yr after yr at +15% in 4 packs now. Malty, espresso & toasted cacao. Always a Port similarity that develops more w/ age. I should have served it in a Port glass! Vertical series growing in the cellar 😁!

Ginger, Spice, Barreled And Nice Cole

Born 09.19.23. Aging nicely. Straight out gingerbread cookies heavy w/ cinnamon. A BA Barleywine w/ ginger, cinnamon & clove. The bourbon is malty/vanilla smooth. The clove adds a bite on each sip. This is done well & unusal for such a large production.

Wake Up World Wide Stout Cole

Bought Thanksgiving ‘23, thinking new release but label has 2022 copyright. Did they release more into the market 1 yr later 🤷🏼 I ask my resident patent attorney TJ C.? Still tasting fine if 1 yr aged. Cinnamon, coffee beans & 🍁 syrup hang well w/ WWS!

Ginger, Spice, Barreled And Nice Cole

A surprise when I saw this, wasn’t aware. You either like or don’t per posts. Me likey! Out cold: a bit scrambled yet good. As it warms becomes organized. Gingerbread cookies BBA Barleywine. So many notes dancing together - spices in beers don’t scare me!

World Wide Stout Cole

‘23 @ 15.5%! This is a fine port, not a Stout FYI! Saving one in the cellar w/ so many other years that I’ve lost track of all I have aging. These will age forever I’m guessing. Vertical is in order 😁. DFH WWS, Utopia & the Utopia barreled WWS top shelf!

World Wide Stout (2010) Cole

Veranda share 11.05.23. 2nd brew opened, it’s going to be a long evening w/ these boys 😁! Damn - this 2010 drinking like a Barleywine as we would expect: 13 yrs young. Thank you Brandon M.! Reminds me we need a vertical share of these from my cellar!

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2017) Cole

6.5 yrs old. Coffee gone. Chocolate holding on barely. Bitter is there. Flat when poured. Drinkable but confirms these should not be aged past 3 yrs.

KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge (2022) Cole

Hitting my ‘22 4 pack. I think this variant is their best in the KBS series. Enjoyed ‘20, now ‘22 (missed ‘21 🤔). The fudge, maple & bourbon w/ the original KBS plays so well together IMHO. Cheers to these Founders making it everywhere for us to enjoy!

KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa (2021) Cole

2 yrs old Sept. Now a bit of drop from new & 1 yr old. Holding up rule of Founders dark beers: buy a 4 pack - drink all new or drink one per yr w/ audible not to wait for yr 3 😁! Cheers 🍻 I going to call the audible & drink the last one sooner.

KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge (2020) Cole

This is aging so well, pure fudge decadence. Aroma is sweet maple choc. Taste of Mackinac Fudge, coffee, maple syrup & choc aged in oaked bourbon barrels. The coffee/fudge gives it a nutty flavor. My favorite variant to date. Still have a 4-pack: yr 🤔?

Panther Cub (2021) Cole

A robust porter, this is aged in bourbon barrels w/ maple syrup & vanilla extract. The aroma of maple & vanilla notes combine with a surprisingly deep character that Porters aged in BB’s show! +2 yrs later, still tasting amazing!

French Toast Bastard (Barrel Aged Series 2022) Cole

My 2 of 2 found last Thanksgiving week. This already beautiful BBA Scotch Ale now w/ maple, cinnamon & vanilla takes this to another level. I even get the eggs on bread!

Wake Up World Wide Stout Cole

A new twist for WWS released last year - the breakfast version. Deep roasted coffee w/ oak milk, cinnamon, maple syrup. It’s good, but lacks the punch of the Original. BTW - no, not a drunk, couldn’t finish half a glass of the last Big Bad Baptist bomber.

French Toast Bastard (Barrel Aged Series 2022) Cole

Finally have this bad boy. Never showed in B’ham except for a keg or 2 around town. This is 🍁 baby. Maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla & already in a beautiful BBA scotch wee heavy brew 😁! This opens up nicely & quick to enjoy all the notes. Hoppy Friday 13

KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa (2021) Cole

Born 09.02.21. This is still holding well almost 1yr young. The variant’s are crushing the originals. The cinnamon is still ruling this which is surprising based on the age. The vanilla keeping’ it smooth. The thickness w/ cocoa notes rounds it out. Nice!

Panther Cub (2021) Cole

I missed this last year but my favorite hometown liquor store still had 4 packs. Born Feb 2021 & still killin’ it. So silky smooth vanilla extract & maple swirling in the BBL notes. This confirms my take on Porters are the perfect vessel for barrel aging!

Breakfast Stout Cole

Anyone remember when this used to be impossible to find?

Backwoods Bastard 2021 Cole

Again, never forget those beers that come out every yr. now from a bigger craft Brewery that was small in the day & use to be hard to get. This brew still kicks ass 10 yrs after discovering it. The subtle Wee Heavy aged in BBL’s w/ all the correct notes!

SeaQuench Ale Cole

Backwoods Bastard 2021 Cole

Sometime I (we) forget the bigger boys were smaller when we discovered them in this craft hobby & they’re still killin’ it w/ the brews we ❤️ way back when. This is so solid & 10 yrs ago we would have had to live in Grand Rapids to enjoy this! Founders🥰!

Backwoods Bastard 2021 Cole

Been enjoying since 2012 when 1st intro to B’ham as a BA @ our Magic City Brew Fest. Once I had it, told all my friends to meet me over @ the tent & that was all I would drink the remainder of the fest 😁! An amazing oaky Wee Heavy (old ale 🙄) each year.

Breakfast Stout Cole

“It’s a good cup of joe!” best describes this classic Breakfast Stout yet I’ve never drank coffee. 10 years drinking my “joe” through this brew 😁!

KBS Hazelnut (2022) Cole

So only 1 variant this year? Wow! This kicks a** to the base ‘22. All hazelnut. Aroma is nutty. Taste is all Hazelnuts. Proof the base this year is not even par to a 2018 cellar aged I tried this weekend & this variant is great! #foundersyoulistening?.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2020) Cole

Finding the photo enhance w/ iPhone! I’m so old for this 😁. Went to the cellar for ‘20 to prove my recent ‘22 post the older ones aged are better than this latest batch. And it is. More depth & complex w/ notes of bourbon, coffee & chocolate. #Founders?

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2022) Cole

Is it me or has the allure past on KBS? I use to search high & low for it. Now available everywhere & I just buy 1 bottle. It just doesn’t have that deep coffee bean in your face w/ the chocolate holding it up. This tastes as if I aged it for 3/4 years.

KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa Cole

Born 09.02.21. Can we make KBS better? Apparently! The original BBA aged coffee bean is still there yet sweetened just enough w/ the cinnamon and the vanilla & cocoa beans. Perfecting the perfect is all I can offer here.

KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa (2021) Cole

Jeeez! This 2021 KBS variant addition is off the charts. They classic deep coffee flavored KBS is tamed w/ the cinnamon, vanilla & cocoa. This so smooth for 12%. Been looking for this in B’ham so bought when found at my favorite BP Station 😁!

60 Minute IPA (2021) Cole

Classic.

120 Minute IPA (2015) Cole

Had ‘15 fresh from a keg in Baltimore - Max’s Tap House on a cold/snowy March afternoon. Now 6 yrs later from the cellar - candy. Always amazed how these age to pure delight. Malty, caramel, rock candy, fruits & boozy. Additional yrs aging in the cellar!

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2020) Cole

Not sure why I haven’t posted this 2020 since there are some in the cellar. Still the classic rock solid brew we know and love.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) (2019) Cole

Last brew before knee replacement surgery at 5am. Looking forward to removing the pain and getting my golf game back in shape. See y’all on the other side!

KBS Espresso (2019) Cole

Did not know KBS could be more coffee forward as original. Yet, here we are. 1st yr it’s aged on espresso beans after being removed from the barrels. More hyperness than normal! Thanks Bryan F. for the hookup on this one I missed. Huge KBS fan & variants.