2017 Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) by Founders [End Of 2017 Review]

Rating: 7/7* Final 2017 Review

2017 Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) by Founders is an 11.7% ABV World Class Canadian Imperial Stout brewed with chocolate, coffee and aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels.

Description

Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) is the epitome of why we launched the Backstage Series: to bring some of our most sought-after beers, which have been available primarily at the taproom or at a few select events, to a much larger audience.

Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup.

==Introduction==
It has been a long time since I have done a proper review as I have been busy with other life tasks. Nevertheless, while I still posts beer reviews here on the site even if small. The lack of tl;dr has really been due to my other projects. Even so, I wanted to finish the year with a proper review of a beer that many have been considering a whale of a whale. A whale so rare, it is definitely still in the top 20 (13th as of 12/31/2017). The Founders CBS has been a beer that goes way back before I even started trying all sorts of craft beers. A beer that had not been brewed for years until recently. With the return of that beer, it was actually available in a bigger quantity this time around so many could try this rarity of whales. So much so, that I made it the beer I finish the year with. A tradition I typically have been doing for a long time. So even while I do still post my reviews even in short, there will still be times I get a little more involved for the sake of the audience that still loves my wordy reviews. So that that said, cheers to a new year of beers! Happy 2018 and many more years to come!!

Aromas:

Maple syrup for days, rich complex chocolates, dark fruits, bourbon, molasses, mint chocolate chip, anise, tobacco, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut,mocha, doughnuts, mocha, tiramsu, chocolate cake, fruit cake, flan, sweetened condensed milk, esspresso, oak, and slight bacony.

Flavors:

Punch in the face super chocolates, dark, milk, bakers, milk shake, German, Mexican Hot, Belgian, Mousse, tootsie roll, dark fruit cordials, raisins, figs, plums, dark cherries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, marrionberries, cranberries, Khalua Liqueur, mocha, mild bacon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, Danish, Irish cream, roasted coffee, jamoca ice cream, marzipan, rocky road ice cream, almond joys, marshmallows, chocolate smores, toasted coconut, maple syrup, pancakes, waffle cone, tiramasu, capirotada raisin bread pudding, figgy pudding, dulce de leche, borrachitos Mexican candy, Rum, oak, bourbon, molasses, tobacco, leather, cream filled doughnuts, sweetened condensed milk, flan, crème brulee, triple chocolate cake, chocolate trufles, toffee and pecan pie.

Aftertaste:

Aftertaste is maple and chocolate for days, mocha, Tiramasu, waffle cones, oak, bourbon, Marshmallow, variety chocolate box, leather, tobacco, borrachitos candy, dark fruits, rich dulce de leche, mint, rich mocha for days and rocky road ice cream. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black abyss full body, smooth, creamy, syrupy, chewy and velvety and sludgy mouthfeel. Sipping drinkability for sure. This is a huge whale!

Overall:

Wow!!!!! This beer means business. No joke, no down play, this beer is truly on the level of greats as Dark Lord, Black Tuesday, that recent MXYZPTLK beer I had from bottle logic and so many other great stouts. Heck, while I did make a homebrew similar to this, this one is on its own level. While I loved so many of the maple syrup stouts I have had before, this one takes leaps and leaps and just keeps going. Definitely the right beer to end the year with and if you can find or trade for it, make sure you get it. A true bucket lister!

Anime Corner:

Etna from the Disgaea series was used in his pairing since the days of the Midnight Brunch Arrogant Bastard, a Maple and Coffee bourbon barrel Strong Ale. That beer had left such an impact that I wanted to bring her for this one. Her colors compliment the red of Canada as it comes in the form of the flag, the mounties and the very maple syrup itself. Sweet, Dark, and intriguing is what makes all the qualities fit with this rarity of a whale.

Frootwood by Founders brewing

Rating: 6/6
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Frootwood by Founders brewing is an 8% ABV Cherry Ale aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
We took a crisp, light-bodied cherry ale and hid it away in oak barrels that have held both bourbon and maple syrup. After a lengthy stint, it emerged a changed beer, blanketed in notes of warm vanilla and earthy sweetness. The wood proves itself the star of this beer, adding depth and taming the tart cherry while the maple imposes a velvety texture that lingers for not a moment too long.

==Introduction==
17097884_10104048574810590_7430083180534335113_o
The 4th Barrel aged brew I have ever tried from the Founders series of beers. KBS, Backwoods Bastard and Lizard of Koz were the other three. This time they bring a beer with cherries which I believe was the original brew, Cerise and barrel aged that in barrels that previously had Maple syrup and Bourbon barrels to cream this light bodied beer. It was strange at first since many of their barrel aged beers I expected this to be darker but this is very nice. Regardless, Founders has been a great brewery since the days of their Breakfast Stout and to this day I enjoy getting my hands on them whenever I can. Let’s take a look at this one and see how good The “Fruit Wood” is. Cheers!

Aromas:
Maple, dark cherries, cinnamon, mint, yerba buena tea, green tea ice cream, sweetened condensed milk notes, Danish cream, ginger bread, brown sugar, honey, floral notes, roses, apple cider, stone fruit, vanilla and caramel.

Flavors:
Rich Dark Cherries, Cinnamon tea, brown sugar, maple, vanilla, caramel oak, bourbon, marzipan, chardonnay, wine grapes, honey, floral notes, roses, stone fruit peaches, apple pie, cherry cobbler, peach cobbler, mint, yerba buena tea, green tea ice cream, sweetened condensed milk notes, biscuit bread, butterscotch, apple cider, Danish cream, ginger bread, fruit cake hints and cookie dough ice cream hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishing semi dry with cherry, oak, maple, wine grapes and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, light to medium amber body, crisp, refreshing, smooth and clean mouthfeel along with a very easy drinkability.

Overall:
A very nice exceptional hitter. The flavors are not super complex but there is an array of reasons why I consider this one very exceptional. For starters, ridiculously easy to drink, not offending in the alcohol, very nice flavors are noted and the semi dry finish is something that keeps you wanting more. You can easily finish this in one sitting if not careful. The very interesting thing about this beer is that it is not cloying at all. This can definitely be very approachable to non beer drinkers. I highly recommended.
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Anime Corner:
Ruby Rose from RWBY was chosen in this pairing for the colors that pair well with her and the red of cherries and dark maple and oak bourbon. Even the color of the beer as well showcases the ruby and rose colors in general that fit well with the beer.
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Sources:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2pnlbkXEAArFG0.jpg
http://static.zerochan.net/Ruby.Rose.full.2061817.jpg
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2016-08-20-854922.jpeg
http://pic.element3ds.com/forum/201611/18/145623fexpvxxpjbrjrxfv.png

Michigan Maple Jesus by Evil Twin brewing

16422601_10103973293315310_8453699766644645694_oRating: 7/7

Michigan Maple Jesus by Evil Twin brewing is a 12% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Imperial stout aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels. Produced and bottled for Evil Twin Brewing at Dark Horse Brewing Co, Marshall, MI.

==Introduction==
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It has been years since I last tried the Even More Jesus from Evil Twin. I have heard a lot of great things from their variants and have also heard that it is hard to find these beers sometimes. Lucky for me I was able to find this one. A little bottle indeed, but something I really wanted to bring to the sire specially since it was in the series. I had also heard that this one was insanely coveted as well, so even more of a reason to bring it to the site. Although, I would of liked a 22oz. of this. Nevertheless, the show must go on, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Belgian chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, maple syrup, pancakes, anise, molasses, smokey notes, BBQ, marzipan, pecan pie, almond joy, toasted coconut, mocha, Irish cream, dark fruit cherries, plums, currants, raisins, raspberries, blackberries, marshmallow smores, bourbon, whiskey, rich oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel and rye bread.
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Flavors:
Rich Maple Syrup, molasses, anise, licorice, Smokey, BBQ, smokey campfire notes, toasted coconut, marshmallow smores, bourbon, whiskey, rich oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, rye bread, leather, tobacco, brownie batter, dark fruit cherries, plums, currants, raisins, raspberries, blackberries, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Belgian chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, grilled bananas, rocky road ice cream, almond joy chocolates, Kahlua Coffee liqueur, almond milk, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, marzipan, roasted coffee, mocha, Irish cream coffee, Danish cream, cookies and cream and candied bacon.

Aftertaste:
Finishing Maple rich, dark fruit, anise, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, oak, coconut, bourbon, mocha coffee, sweetened condensed milk and almond marzipan. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black dark abyss body. Rich, velvety, smooth and creamy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A definite bucket lister. I had no idea of the crazy potential from this one. Rich maple, chocolate and super fancy coffee complexity taking things to a different level. It is a step above the original as the maple brings in some new characteristics to the table causing the original to shine even more. While this is only a small bottle, it is a kicker. Although me being me, I would have loved a 22oz. It will age very well. I highly recommend getting this one.
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Anime Corner:
Pyrrha Nikos from RWBY was chosen for this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of the label mainly and maple syrup colors of red. The other part is the name of Jesus being used in the beer as I see is as representing something Christian and therefore angelic. While this beer in itself maybe a spoiler to some fans of the RWBY show who are not past RWBY Vol. 3, it was necessary for me to elaborate why Pyrrha as an angel works for this beer in relation. The beer gets you closer to the divine if it is not divine itself.
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Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6c/1d/2b/6c1d2b0068892293128804399f16589c.jpg
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/001/205/017/3a5.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy8reIJVQAARaur.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Crny-55UEAI4__k.jpg
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/001/152/522/0e5.jpg_large

2016 Bastard’s Midnight Brunch by Stone Brewing

13584949_10103362840737170_493755693674766997_o 13537731_10103362840767110_6981083144752372743_n 13580555_10103362840722200_2556315072869324053_oRating: 7/7

2016 Bastard’s Midnight Brunch by Stone Brewing is a 12.7% ABV American Strong Ale consisting of Depth-Charged Double Bastard aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels & Northeast Ohio Maple Syrup Barrels.

Label:

BASTARD’S MIDNIGHT BRUNCH

DEPTH-CHARGED DOUBLE BASTARD ALE AGED IN BOURBON BARRELS & MAPLE SYRUP BARRELS

AN UNRESTRAINED, COFFEE-FUELED FEAST

Evenings trying to forget the crushing mediocrity of one’s life are typically the main driver to late-night breakfast plates at unforgivingly overlit diners stacked with industrialized, frozen-dumped-in-a-fryer “food.” An interlude between sophomoric late-night antics, questionable decisions and inevitable morning regret. That’s not how I play it. For those who know how to grab life by the horns*, however, this bottle pairs even better with accomplishment, life lived out loud, and well-timed moves that often appear as luck to those not paying attention. A specifically designed midnight brunch feast with like-minded folks who not only have their wits about them but actually have wits, and an artfully prepared feast sets the more appropriate stage for this beer. The bottle is worth a special occasion. Create yours to accompany it.

*Touch mine, though, and I’ll provide you with the deepest possible understanding of the word “regret.”

Drawn Off Unfiltered

Aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels & Northeast Ohio Maple Syrup Barrels

==Introduction==

After several temptations, I decided to pick this up. At first, I did not want to get it since it was pricey but also since I felt that I have had plenty of good Arrogant Bastard variant reviews in. So when saw it was the barrel aged version of Depth Charged Double Bastard with maple, I fought myself and my wallet was hurt. Either way, I would like to see if this brew was well worth the price. Arrogant bastard has always been one of the best beers I have had since the beginning. Since the time I have had Double Bastard, stuff just started to grow from there and things never went back. I love everything about the series. I just haven’t had a chance to keep up with all my reviews. However, when Depth Charged kicked in, I was in love. Now with this in my possession, I can only hope that it will grow from here. Let’s take a look, cheers!

Aromas:

Dulce de leche caramel, marshmallow smores, oak, bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, Kahlua Liqueur, citrus notes, grapefruit, piney and grassy hop notes, toasted rye bread, dark fruit raisins, dates, figs, dark cherries, blackberries, roasted barley, flan, caramelized dragon fruit, hazelnut nectar, crème brulee, old oranges, mild chili pepper notes, coffee cake, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, German chocolate, Bakers chocolate, chocolate mousse, fancy coffee, roasted coffee, espresso, mocha and cinnamon hints.

Flavors:

Rich maple syrup, butterscotch, vanilla, toffee, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, dulce de leche caramel, marshmallow smores, oak, bourbon, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, German chocolate, Bakers chocolate, chocolate mousse, fancy coffee, roasted coffee, espresso, mocha, java, jamoca, Kahlua Liqueur, rich citrus, grapefruit, piney, grassy, foresty, herbal and earthy hops, tropical fruit mango, Rich toasted rye bread with mixed dark fruit preserves such as raisins, dates, figs, dark cherries, blackberries, roasted barley, flan, sweetened condensed milk, English Fig Pudding, roasted chestnuts, pine cones, cinnamon, sweet potato pie, tangerine marmalade, brown sugar, acorns, tobacco, leather, sourdough bread, caramelized dragon fruit, hazelnut nectar, crème brulee, old oranges, mild chili pepper notes, coffee cake and bacon hints.

Aftertaste:

Finishing off with toasted coconut, coffee, orange, grapefruit and earthy hops, maple syrup, marshmallow smores, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, coffee cake, bourbon, vanilla, dulce de leche and toffee. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. Golden brown honey and Deep Crimson colored medium body, syrupy, silky, smooth, chewy, and velvety mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.

Overall:

Supreme of Supremes, bucket lister of the Bastards. I was wrong, I was damn wrong for not picking this up way sooner. I am actually ashamed since I would have missed a great opportunity at such a great beer. It was so delicious in my opinion that I will do my damnest to make this one as a home brew as soon as I figure out a recipe for it. For now, if you loved the bastard for the years, you will definitely love this one.

Anime Corner:

Etna from Disgaea was used in this pairing since I always choose a character that corresponds with the characteristics of the Stone gargoyle like Lilith or Morrigan and even Asmodeus. It has been a long time and this time, I bring Etna into the mix. Her colors were always perfect for Arrogant Bastard pairings and her character has always been somewhat arrogant so it fit perfectly. Unlike the other characters, to better fit the sweet complexity of the beer, Etna’s characteristic of being caring at times and always cute fit those aspects.

Sources:
https://forum.touki.ru/gallery/66/c3fe2b73a977.jpg
http://img07.deviantart.net/5501/i/2014/049/7/b/etna_by_ku_on-d770edz.jpg
http://img05.deviantart.net/7771/i/2016/077/c/d/fanart___etna_by_caltea-d9vku2x.jpg