2014 Bourbon County Brands release - Chicagoland

They get the value of hype. I'm also guessing it's now fairly high margin.

 

Agree with you on most counts. However, let me try and give an answer to some of your points. First things first...As with any MAJOR beer release, whether it be ticketed or not, there's always going to be people pissed off because they got shut out in getting a ticket/beer. You're not going to please everyone.

Given how much BCBS/variants are produced (especially next year with the barrel house going into effect) I think they would be able to do a week long event/release here in Chicago (similar to Founders/KBS week) and still distribute to there accounts out of state and in state. Spreading it out over the course of a week gives a little more flexibility for people that are willing to travel from out of state instead of just having it on 1 day.

 

they should hide it throughout chicago, scavenger hunt time!

 

But does this piss off more, less, or the same amount of people as this year's BCBS release? If its more or the same, is it really worth it?

 

I'm in!

 

Geocaching...

 

The ticketed idea thing is not a bad idea, but to counter, I'll say this. Huge beer/booze nerd for going on 15 years now, and I will never attend a Dark Lord Day. Just not my cup of tea. That mass of humanity is a nightmare. FOBAB this year (my first) was enough to give me hives, and I left an hour early even though I did have a good time. And that's nothing compared to the seething hive of people that would attend a BCS release event.

There are some beers, like Dark Lord, that cater to the crowd of people that don't mind a crowd. Let BCS be what it is for people who have no interest in attending that kind of thing.

It's all moot anyway, there's no way Budweiser's going to do anything like that.

 

Seems like a real shit show out there. Judging by the last year or so with releases, festivals and tapping events, it's no surprise.

I don't know if this is consolation for anyone, but I don't think the fervor for craft beer in Chicago is sustainable (in terms of truck chasing, hoarding, etc.). IMO, there are a lot of people with bad attitudes jocking this hobby who will eventually jump ship to whatever new hotness emerges. I expect these releases to become more reasonable in a few years. Maybe I'm wrong, but we'll see.

In the meantime, support the other local breweries doing great work and remove yourself from this craziness if it bothers you. It's a lot less stressful on the fringe.

Cheers.

 

That's why you don't have it in just one day like DLD. I'll say it again...run it similar to KBS WEEK (not day).
I haven't been to up to Founders for KBS since they changed how they release it, but from what I've read/heard it's a very laid back/chill atmosphere since the crowds are spread out over the course of 5 days, not 1. You know your allotment ahead of time so there's no suprises.

That I don't know. Nobody would know unless GI did decide to do a ticketed event and then we could hear the feedback.

 

Any suggestions? I've heard good stuff about 18th and Penrose... anybody else up and coming I should watch out for?

 

I just popped down to Buckle Down to grab a couple of bottles of their Stompbox stout aged in Woodford Reserve barrels and had a taste of their BA rye collab. w/ Greenbush. Showed up at 11:55, out the door at 12:10, and only $30 lighter in the pocket.

Hats off to the BCBS and the craziness that surrounds, but, as mentioned earlier, there are a ton of great beers out there. No need to sweat missing out on one.

 

Just depends on what you like and where you are located...

 

NW Burbs (Vernon Hills), but work in Oak Brook (so stopping at something after work is totally doable).

Honestly, there's not much I don't like. I used to not be too big on German styles, but New Glarus turned me around on to how they're simple and clean drinking. I tend to drink seasonally, so now I'm more about the heavier stuff due to the colder weather... but there's always a need for pizza beer.

So, doesn't need to be anything OMG BA STOUT or SUPER LIMITED SPONTANEOUS WITH PERSIMMON. Just well crafted.

 

There's a lot of great stuff coming out: Penrose, 18th Street, One Trick Pony, Transient, Solemn Oath, Aquanaut (eventually), Temperance (these guys and gals are out here winning awards with little recognition), just to name a few.

A lot of people are chasing down BCBS, meanwhile Revolution's award-winning BA beers are just sitting on shelves.

 

Fair enough think you covered it with ones you stated previously however, being a "Region" person I have to add Devil's Trumpet, Crown Brewing, and Four Fathers to the mix. May not be quite as driveable as you were hoping for but all are kicking out some great beers. There are at least 4 new breweries opening up in NWI (Northwest Indiana for all you acronym haters) within the next couple of years. Exciting times for craft beer!

 

Yeah, you're probably right about that.

It doesn't need to be OMG BA STOUT, but it should be. If it's not barrel-aged, it's not as rare. You've been here long enough to know that rare tastes better.

 

I've been meaning to check out Transient and OTP. I'd forgotten about temperance... something to do when I'm off over the XMas/new year's break!

Thanks! I'm so far NW, that I forget about the NWI stuff.

200 bottle count or GTFO.

 

And that would be different how?

 

This is true; The Beer Temple has a whole bunch of Bean Gene bombers, priced at a very reasonable $17.99 per (I've seen them marked at $19.99 at a couple mom & pop-type places).

 

I really dont see the problem... Its bourbon county. Its delicious. Its beer. Why sure, its completely outrageous, annoying and unfair--- but 'iddn't that half the fun of it?

Didnt get any this year? Well, you didnt hunt hard enough.

Dont want to hunt? Well, you don't like it enough.

Maybe next year