Lets have an honest conversation about CBS

There's a lot of very interesting psychology and brain physiology that goes into how we taste things and more importantly how much enjoyment we get from something. It's different for different people. For many people the act of reading about, hunting, waiting in line, paying premium prices, and/or knowledge of rarity does make our bodies excrete more endorphins and chemical signals to our brains that actually do make us enjoy the product more. This is supported by scientific studies that have been posted in these forums before. These phenomenons apply to more than just beer, but it's certainly applicable here.

Different people are influenced by those factors differently though, and some might even react the oppositely... for example for someone who honestly really dislikes how much they spent on a beer it could cause their brain to be swimming in negative chemicals, which effects their taste and enjoyment of the beer. For some people finding an alternative "cheap" beer, being counter-culture or simply contrarian might the the trigger for positive brain chemicals, which might be part of the reason you said this:

The brain is an odd and powerful thing that no one completely understands, but one thing is for sure, we don't taste anything in a vacuum.

Edit: I'm not saying we should all try to be robots with our tasting. I just find these influences on our tastes fascinating. Beer is a luxury for our enjoyment and at the end of the day it really doesn't matter how someone gets their personal enjoyment from a beer.

 

It sounds like you want to be really impressed by CBS; I would just go whale hunting and land a Morning Delight or KBBS. Then you will be impressed.

 

It's like KBS drenched in decadent maple syrup...one of the most enjoyable bombers I've ever had. I would love to get another taste, especially fresh. I wish they would release it in 4 packs. Please?

 

Like all hyped up beers I have ever had, I'm sure it's great, but not the mind-bending trips-perience the world would have you believe. Would you enjoy leaving work early and meeting some people in that line, and the whole experience of all that? Then go for it - worth it for sure. Would that whole ordeal stress you out and make you uncomfortable? Skip it. I would probably opt for the latter, being an introvert.

 

I've personally never had the beer but would love to try it.

For a single draft pour I think I'd be willing to wait up to an hour.
For a four pack or a bomber I'd probably wait two hours max.

 

This is the part that i'm struggling with. Who in the hell wouldn't enjoy getting away from work and hanging out with some like minded craft beer geeks? I would do that even if there wasn't CBS on the other end of the wait.

 

I totally see your point, but for some, leaving work early can be a pain in the ass. You might be required to take a whole day off, if the event starts that early. Then you're short a vacation day. You may be like me and struggle with crowds. Maybe in your neck of the woods there are a lot of beer jerks, and a lack of beer advocates... who knows. It's totally dependent on the individual and his circumstances.

 

I think they put too much faith in Chuck Lorre.

...wait, what forum am I on?

 

I actually enjoy some events like these. Its often more about getting together with some friends and having some great beers, than it is about simply waiting in line for the one event beer and going home.

I really loved CBS as well.

I'd say whether or not its worthwhile is dependent upon how you feel about these events. If you anticipate it being a total shit show that you absolutely cant squeeze any fun out of, stay home, you wont regret it. But if you can picture yourself tolerating it, give it a shot.

 

You're right. I'm sure some people don't enjoy that kind of thing. I just tend to love it regardless of the beer that we're getting to try. Plus work is incredibly flexible.

 

Man, you are really over-thinking this.

In this situation, I'd definitely go if I were you. People tend to have more regret for things they don't do/try vs. things they do and you don't get many chances to have that beer. It's nearby so you're not driving hours to get there and I personally know I'd really regret not trying it when it's so close by (plus I'd be grumpy as fuck at work knowing it's going down without me).

Just go.

 

Well technically it's been bottled twice

 

BFD. Don't care. Don't chase whales. Plenty of good beer out there that's readily available.

That's my contribution to the honest conversation.

 

It's getting tapped on January 19th, which is MLK Jr Day and many people have that day off (fed holiday), people will likely be there well in advance, so plan on investing at least an hour of your time for a pour. I'll be there early with my work buddies who don't drink craft beer but they'll be getting pours and dumping them into my growler...kidding, I have no interest in attending what is likely going to be a shit show.

Also, it will probably be in the sports grill area of the store where there is plenty of seating and the tapping will cause less interference with people there for groceries.

 

"It's great, but don't go nuts over it" is a perfectly good response to "How far out of my way should I go to try beer X?" if someone is looking for honest opinions. No one is telling them not to try it. We're just suggesting they manage their expectations.

 

A fresh pour from the 2014 release was absolutely outstanding and easily one of the 3 best beers I've ever had. If you are willing to wait 2 hours for ANY beer, then you will not be disappointed by this one.

 

I'd hardly call leaving work early and driving 5 minutes to try a rare beer "whale chasing." This whale practically landed in his lap and all he has to do is stand around a bit to get some.

 

A local bar had it on tap NY eve, it didn't all get drank, I showed up the next day they were open and got a pour in a non-crowded, relaxed environment so I consider myself lucky. Its an exceptional beer, probably top 10 for me. That said I avoided 2 releases of the beer before hand knowing it was going to be a madhouse. I'd say if your someone that's been curious for awhile go get it, assuming your line isn't massive or crazy. Trying one of these super hyped beers is a great way to realize "its all just beer", while it was great I wouldn't go to crazy lengths to taste.

 

It's a good response the same way "It's great, go nuts over it," in that it's one person's opinion. I guess if more respondants say "go nuts" than "don't go nuts," then the OP will know what to do? Seems a bit arbitrary, but it's as good a method as any, I suppose.

 

This is one beer of many that doesn't really whisper softly in my ear to spend an inordinate amount of time, money, or both to acquire.