Darkness in Chicago

Well I did pick up a 4 pack of Coffee Bender while I was there yesterday since Darkness was gone. Still need to drink!

 

21.99 on reg darkness
25.99 or 26.99 on BA

I honestly passed on a BA. Both regular and BA are good beers but like others have said I prefer others. Opportunity cost was too high to get both.

 

I don't think he's really referring to people who linger for 10 minutes; I think that's pretty normal (hell, sometimes it takes 10 minutes to find someone to help you out). I assuming he's referring to the people who come in an hour or two (or more?) before something comes in/potentially comes in.

Also, I think most people who don't have a specific hook-up "chase" Darkness and BCBS, because, especially now, there's really no other good way to get them.

 

Anyone know if ANY Whole Foods in Chicago go the BA version?

 

Also, question to those that have had BA--

Does it taste distinctly like Darkness, or does it just taste like an upper tier BA stout? The reason I ask is that I specifically love regular Darkness, and if I'm putting in the effort/money to grab the BA version, I don't want something that tastes like a rye BCBS or something similar.

Also, the bottle is pretty dope, so that makes this even harder...

 

As a huge fan of Darkness my first thought upon sipping the BA version was "Where's the Darkness?" I suppose it makes sense. The hops that make Darkness so tasty were still there, but very muted, & the barrel was heavy enough that it masked some of the other unique flavors. Don't get me wrong - BA Darkness is still an excellent beer, but I'd prefer the regular 2015 or the (lightly barreled) 2014 versions over this years.

 

This will suck. I think more than likely you will see non-regulars at stores getting snubbed in the future.

I used to really not like this but at this point, its the only chance I have at getting some of the harder to find beers as like most, I can't camp out all day/nor do I think its worth it.

 

My wife stopped by for me on her errands and they said they haven't gotten any yet and don't know when they will. I'm not saying you don't have an "in", just reporting what they're saying at the store.

 

They don't know the time. Even last year I heard people got to the Buffalo Grove and Highland Park Binny's when they opened and just stood around until the shipment came in.

Last year they tweeted it was in, I was 5 minutes away from the store. I saw the tweet 5 minutes after it went out. Was at the store about 12 minutes after the tweet went out. It was all sold out. People were waiting at the store for the shipment last year, so of course this year was probably even more difficult.

 

I used to have this same shit happen to me at BG Binnys when they used to tweet stuff out. Would be in 5 mins later and it would be gone. Why tweet it at all? I'm SO glad they stopped the tweets, my impulse to run in all the time is much lower now and I don't miss it.

 

That was the same story I had from last year too. Not even 10 minutes past the post of that tweet was I there and it was gone. I miss those twitter days. sigh

 

Yes - glad the tweets stopped. If you want to know what is in the store, call them. If you want to know what is coming in this week or next, go to the store and ask. I have found it best to find a store or two (or five if you want) and get to know them. You will be much happier and it will be more fun. (And you'll luck into beers without having to drive yourself nuts looking for them)

 

Have reg at s loop WF, don't know how much cuz it's in back but I know there is more left.

 

You were actually the guy that brought this question to mind (I read your review of BA '15). I really like the bottle, so the collector part of me wants to say "screw it, track a bottle down!" but the part of me that has also been buying Spiteful's BA stuff, PW's BA stuff, BCBS, Christmas gifts, etc., wants to say "dude, drink the beer you have!"

 

the lingerers just took over schaumburg binnys....cleared out BA instantly (they were waiting since the store opened)

 

Thanks, brother. I was able to walk down and grab a bottle. Cheers!

 

Heads up, the BA bottle is a paper label, not printed on the bottle like the regular Darkness.

 

But the gold wax!!!!! Either way, that's a good point, and I appreciate you trying to talk me down from the ledge.