Bells Black Note (2014)

I have yet to see this at any of the beers stores I frequent quite often in WI. Weird, most stores don't even know if they are getting it or can not even give a close date when it will arrive. They don't even know. Bummer because I wanted at least a bottle or two. Oh well.

 

Wellp, it came to the UP last week without me noticing. Hopefully there's some left tomorrow... I've been checking this thread regularly and forgot to check the beer stores' facebook pages!!!

 

I agree! BCBS is really sweet and bourbony. BCBS is a great drink when you want a strong barrel aged stout after a crappy work week. BCBS is always consistant and mellows nicely with time.

KBS... It seem as though KBS gets worse every year. It used to be one of my favorite BA stouts, but I think that Founders is slipping with the quality of KBS.

Black note seems to be getting better every year that I try it. I traded for a 750 of Black Note when it was first released and was completely underwhelmed along with everyone else in my tasting group. Last years batch of Black note in 4 packs was stellar and 2014 bottles in the 4 packs seem to be even better than last year. Bells has surprised and impressed me with the evolution of Black Note over time! Keep up the good work Bells!

 

I had the privilege of tasting all three this year, I would take BCBS over the other two. I do think Black Note was better than KBS, just my opinion though.

 

KBS is really strong on the coffee.

 

Well, the secret beer stores came through again and I got a couple of four packs this morning. And they are all for trading!

Hah, just kidding. I even left some on the shelf (no limits) for somebody else to enjoy.

 

Binnys LP released 2 cases last night at the deconstruction event, which was really bad ass.

 

I also had all 3 about 3 weeks ago. I'd say BCBS, KBS, BN, and Big Bad Baptist. All 4 were very good though, the real winner was my brother in law and me IMO

 

Incorrect sir. I'm a Chicago native and we did in fact get BNS, I've got a bottle sitting snugly in my cellar as I type this.

 

I was lucky and will get to have BCBCS, KBS, & Big Bad Baptist to compare bourbon barrel coffee stouts - one bottle each. Then I also have 2 more BCBS and 1 Black Note for a bourbon barrel imperial stout comparison. I'm excited to try all of these! First time for all except for the 1 BCBS I had in the winter.

 

U silly, silly man. We got some here in the chicago area. I am drinking one right now. Gotta go, just saw a bells truck drive by and I gotta see where it's going!!

 

Stupid Question:

I came across a random bottle this year. And hearing all this talk about how good it is, I'm saving it for a special occasion. How well does this beer age?

 

It's fine for at least a year and a half but it's great out the door. Drink it when you want to.

 

I posted this about a week before it came to Chicago. Again, I was going off what I was told at the time. I was able to grab a 4 pack in the Chicago area.

 

Again, I posted that before it ever arrived to Chicago.

 

Would luv to know who told u this as it certainly would not have need the brewery itself.

 

Bells says that its shelf life life is unlimited. expedition stout might be be the best stout there is with many years on it so i would think it should age very well.

 

I wonder though how the 50 percent presence of the lower strength Double Cream would effect aging. I agree that Expedition ages amazingly, had some 2009 at the cafe a few months back.

 

I had Black Note last night and it was absolutely fantastic! Better than last year's IMO. I wonder though why breweries that make such great stouts as this one and GI BCBS, FS Parabola, etc. don't make great quality stouts like these year round. Having to wait a year for the next batch and the fact that it may come and go quickly tests my sanity and patience.

 

Scored one bottle for $11.50 in Eastern PA. First time ever for me. I'd say Black Note is excellent and on par with KBS. IMHO, both are one very narrow notch below BCBS.