Founders Introduces KBS Bourbon – Their First Venture Into Spirits

Founders is proud to introduce our first-ever venture into spirits with the very limited release of KBS Bourbon! 

This small-batch Kentucky bourbon is a new chapter in a story that began back in 2003, when we first introduced KBS to the world. What started as an experimental barrel-aged stout quickly became one of our most iconic beers. At the time, bourbon barrel-aged beer was still unfamiliar to many drinkers. People knew they loved the rich chocolate, coffee, vanilla and oak character of KBS, even if they did not yet know they loved bourbon barrel-aged stouts. 

Over the years, KBS became more than a beer. It became a symbol of curiosity, craftsmanship and our commitment to pushing flavor forward. That same spirit is what inspired us to take the next step. 

KBS Bourbon is distilled with care, aged in American oak, and finished in barrels that once held our legendary KBS. The result is a smooth, rich bourbon layered with notes of vanilla, oak, chocolate and roasted coffee. Each sip opens with warm vanilla and oak, followed by subtle roasted nuances and a smooth, lingering finish. This is tradition shaped by legendary barrels. 

To celebrate the release, we will be offering complimentary neat pours of KBS Bourbon during Father’s Day at the Founders taproom. It is the perfect opportunity to experience this very limited release and raise a glass to the father figures who helped shape us. 

KBS Bourbon is available in very limited quantities at our company store, with select availability at retailers across Michigan.

About Founders Brewing:

Founders Brewing Co., based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands as one of the most influential and widely recognized craft breweries in the United States. Since its founding in 1997, Founders has built a reputation for brewing bold, complex, flavor‑driven beers that helped shape modern American craft beer culture. Known for pushing boundaries and redefining what beer could be, Founders has become synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship, and a relentless pursuit of depth, character, and quality.

The brewery’s rise to national prominence began with its willingness to embrace big, expressive styles at a time when the craft landscape was still emerging. Beers like KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), CBS, Backwoods Bastard, Dirty Bastard, Centennial IPA, and All Day IPA became category‑defining releases, earning Founders a loyal following and countless awards. KBS, in particular, became a cultural phenomenon — a bourbon barrel‑aged stout that introduced thousands of drinkers to the world of barrel‑aged beer and set a new standard for richness, complexity, and craftsmanship.

Founders’ commitment to barrel aging, flavor exploration, and meticulous brewing technique has positioned the brewery as a leader in both innovation and tradition. Their Barrel-Aged Series, seasonal releases, and year‑round favorites continue to influence brewers across the country. With a portfolio that spans sessionable IPAs, robust stouts, Scotch ales, lagers, and experimental offerings, Founders remains one of the most versatile and respected producers in the craft beer industry.

The introduction of KBS Bourbon marks a major milestone in the brewery’s evolution — a natural extension of the legacy that began with the original KBS in 2003. By entering the world of spirits, Founders is expanding its creative reach while honoring the barrels, flavors, and traditions that shaped its identity. Distilled with care, aged in American oak, and finished in barrels that once held their legendary stout, KBS Bourbon reflects the same dedication to depth, balance, and craftsmanship that defines the brewery’s most iconic beers.

Today, Founders Brewing Co. continues to grow its presence nationwide while staying rooted in its Michigan home. With a commitment to quality, creativity, and flavor‑forward brewing, Founders remains one of the most influential craft breweries in America — a pioneer that continues to shape the future of beer and now, spirits.

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