Hey guys, I've been wondering this for a while, but what's the deal with FFF non-DL barrel variants. For example Barrel Aged Alpha Klaus, Black Sun, Behemoth, etc. Are these released on DL day and available for purchase (thru the random ticket lottery, or....?). Thanks!
I think BA Black Sun was tap-only at DLD. BA Klaus and BA Behemoth were released during DLD ticket sales at the brewpub. There were also some BA beers released at the 15th anniversary party last year (BA Owde Engwish, Cuvee de Viking, Conquistador de Muerte Porto, etc.). Hope that answers your question. EDIT: I should also mention that there were some bottles of the BA Klaus and its variants available for purchase at DLD as well.
BAll the purchasable bottles were on DLD, and that was basically Alpha Klaus and Behemoth. BA Black sun, Robert , Moloko and others were not bottled, only available rarely on tap at the brewpub, and sometimes at other bars like Bavarian Lodge. As far as I know none of these places sold growers.
Most of FFF's BA offerings are pub only, and at random times. Apart from BA Dark Lords, in the last year--like Mark said-- I think it was BA Owd Engwish (English Barleywine) BA Alpha Klaus with Cherries, BA Alpha Klaus with Plums, BA Behemoth... throughout the year on tap, they tend to have a buttload more, but they don't let normal mortals get growler fills of that kind of stuff... so it's for people who get to the pub, or not at all. I choose to ignore the fact that we all know of people who have been able to weasel growlers of FFF stuff that they would never let other folks get... When the beers have been available for purchase, it's typically been at an event, or a ticket sale for an event, and it's usually a one bottle limit. I had some of each of the 2 Alphas and the Behemoth from friends who got their DL tickets at one of those pub sales. For me the Behemoth is desirable, while the Alphas were good, but not remarkable... they were the kind of thing you enjoy and are glad to have, but not the kind of thing you would seek out at that price. Maybe not better than the base beer, which itself is really nice, obviously. The only thing that is random-ticket is Dark Lord variants. Everything else tends to be first come first serve, one bottle limit at these things. They didn't have a way to police it at DLD, though I think there was some sort of writing that suggested a one bottle per person limit on the BA AKs. I very much enjoy most of the Moloko (milk stout) based BA things they've done... and I know they have been aging Hell's Black Intelligencer in barrels. They were spotted at Dark Lord... that will either be epic, or a total waste of 50-some gallons of my favorite coffee stout. I have a dream that they'll put HBI out in bottles. Sadly, just a dream.
I cannot wait to see BA HBI on the tap list (I expect it will be epic)... and if I see HBI in bottles, I could then die a happy man (after I drink some of it, of course).
Back in February, Intelligensia tweeted that they put their Ethiopia Doya coffee in bourbon barrels before blending HBI. https://mobile.twitter.com/Intelligentsia/status/170582990580219904
Right, these could have been the same barrels, but friends saw bourbon barrels with HBI marked on them at DLD, which is well after the beer was already brewed for the year... so it seems like almost a certainty that they've decided to barrel age some, and see how it comes out. Whether or not it ever gets pub time is potentially a whole other story.
I believe FFF put some HBI back in to those barrels used for the Ethiopia Doya coffee for the BA HBI. Mmmmmm.
I hope you guys are right. Was hoping to someday see BA HBI. And besides DL, BA versions of Moloko have been my favorite. Conquistador de Muerte (as well as Porto) were fantastic IMO. I had BA Robert the Bruce with Raspberries at XV and that was fantastic as well.
I didnt know that one wasnt ever bottled... its never been on tap the dozen or so times Ive been to the brewpub, but fingers crossed I will come across it one day, definitely amongst my highest wants! Thanks for all the help everyone!
There was a BA Roobert the Bruce n Raspberies that was very good. It was on tap at the anniversary party.
Had BA RtB at the pub last Sunday. It was remarkable. That along with BA HBI would be my top picks to bottle
Not to stir up any hysteria, but when Mikkel was at 3 Floyds to brew recently, he had a bottle of something called Battle Priest on his table in the pub. It was in the trademark 3 Floyds 750ml BA beer bottle and numbered out of 480. I didn't have a chance to ask him what it was, but it looked like a Belgian of some sort.
I know this is venturing into "Beer Releases" but there is supposed to be a FFF/De Struise collab coming soonish too... excited to see what comes out of both!
Yep, apparently it's called Zes Zes Zes Saison EDIT: Woops. That's not true, Zes Zes Zes is between FFF and Brouwerij De Molen