Bell's Mars & Oracle in Michigan

I believe there will be another wave. My store in Metro Detroit is getting both mid-week.

 

Looks like most of this is hitting metro Detroit this week. Busch's in Ann Arbor was keeping it in the back room yesterday and you had to ask for it to get a sixer.

 

What about Illinois? Any news.

 

Some stores in the Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, area got another round of Mars today.

 

Binny's in Downers had the Oracle today, and I bought their last two bottles of Mars

 

Wixom Liquor got both in today, two bottle limit on each, unsure of price. I think they got one case of each.

 

So now that it hit Oakland county, looks like most of the state has received it by now.

Anyone do a blind taste test yet?? Just did one with my friends. I much preferred Mars. Had a lot of heat from the alcohol, which I very much enjoyed. Which is good, considering it was about $6 cheaper for the sixer.

 

Starting to think I might not find mars

 

Anyone know where there may be some left in Kzoo?
I had mine but someone on IG wants me to get them some & I checked both MegaBevs, Drakes, Westnedge Meijer, Beer & Skittles, D&W on Oakland & Romence but nada. Called General Store & they say they're out & likely no more will be coming

 

Are you asking about Mars or Oracle? If Mars, Mega Bev in BC had 10-12 cases a week ago. There may still be some there. I didn't see any Oracle though.

 

Yea sorry I meant MARS. Oracle is everywhere in Kzoo now

Thanks!

 

Drinking Mars right now. Really great DIPA, sweet malt up front and then a dry, piney hop bomb to finish. Listening to Gustav Holst's The Planets as well. Damn, that's some epic music. Also learned it was the inspiration for the battle scenes in Gladiator.

 

I had them side by side, the color and flavor difference were rather obvious so it did not make a blind tasting worthwhile. Its all about preference in flavor profile. Oracle is drier, more bitter. Mars is more balanced, brighter hop profile. Oracle may be my favorite yearly release, but Mars is a damn fine beer. Its hard to pick one over the other.

 

Bought a 6 of these thinking to myself "how good can another DIPA be"

I was wrong, Mars is the most balanced and flavorful DIPA I have had in some time.

Thanks Bell's.

 

SICK picture.

 

Cracked mine last night. Enjoyed it a lot more than Oracle, but still thought Hopslam was better.

 

Picked up a bottle of Oracle yesterday. Should be getting a Mars this weekend. Can't wait to try them!

 

Thanks again for the heads up, they do still have some at BC Mega Bev. What an awful set up in that place but at least I found some more

 

The Oracle < MARS < Hopslam for sure. ALL of these are so damn good though. Super happy about the MARS price tag too.

 

All right, if we're playing this game...

Hopsoulution > Mars > Hopslam > Oracle

Never been a Hopslam fan, only because I can't stand honey in an IPA (or any non-mead, really). I can sort of appreciate the really good beer hiding under the overwhelming honey taste, though.

EDIT: Actually, I'm not sure about Mars vs. Hopsoulution. I'd love to do a side-by-side sometime. Basically, my top and bottom two are pretty close, with a huge gap in the middle.