Concealed Darkness Release

I wasn't able to make it but I heard Concealed and the variants are fantastic. Looked pretty relaxed and not a cluster fuck of a release like others from the pictures I saw on Instagram.

 

I didn't go but I was really intrigued by the variants. I had Concealed on tap last year and was disappointed with it so I was glad I didn't make the trip up. I just wish that with such high limits like a case of Concealed per person that some of it would hit distribution. I'd definitely pick up a bottle or two but that's a looong drive for me to go for that one.

 

I think Concealed Darkness is easily in the top 3 BA Stouts from VA. This was yet another well run, no hassle release. My only issue would be that they don't have 2015 CD on tap the entire time you are there. I think it would be much better to have that available all day long (or as long as possible) and then have scheduled tap times for the variants, other vintages, and special beers. I unfortunately missed the variant tappings as I had kids in tow who could only last so long, but was able to get 2 variant packs. This is a world class brew that I would not sleep on if you have the option to obtain it.

 

I did not go but had a friend pick me up bottles. Don't think they ran out of variants until late in the day Sat and regular bottles also sold out. not sure if they lasted until Sun or not.

Overall, I hear the event went very smooth. The only negative thing I heard was that they only had 1 sixtel of each of the DH beers so very few people (in the grand scheme of things) got to try the beers on tap.

 

This year's release is coming up on December 3rd. Details below.
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Join us at Blue Mountain Barrel House in ARRINGTON, VA (495 Cooperative Way **This event is not at the Afton brewpub**) on Saturday, December 3rd for our 2016 Concealed Darkness Release Party & Pig Roast. Dark Hollow Reserve and Two Variants (Loire Stout and Coconut Chocolate) will be available for purchase. *See purchase rules below.

**CONCEALED DARKNESS BOTTLE SALES BEGIN AT 10AM. PARKING LOT/LINE OPENS AT 9AM.**

BEER:
Schedule of special beer tappings coming soon!

FOOD:
Pig Roast by BBQ Exchange
Buffet Menu: ($15/person)
Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork, Fried Chicken, Cornbread, Rolls, Homestyle Slaw, Brunswick Stew (Vegan), Collard Greens (Vegan), Broccoli Salad (Vegetarian), our five signature sauces, sweet & unsweet tea.

The Blue Mountain Food Truck will also be open.

MUSIC:
10AM- Greg Ward Reggae
12PM- Delta Junction
2:30PM- Good Buddy
5PM- Lord Nelson

VENDORS:
Take care of some Christmas shopping with a variety of local craft vendors!

CONCEALED DARKNESS PURCHASE RULES:

- Each patron may purchase up to 3 individual bottles of 2016 Concealed Darkness. If three bottles are purchased, you have the option to buy Brandy and Cognac Variants (2 bottle limit on each variant).

- A vertical 3 pack of 2014, 2015, and 2016 Concealed Darkness will also be available for purchase. Patrons who purchase the vertical 3-pack may ALSO purchase a 2016 3-pack, but only those who purchase the 2016 3-pack will have the option to buy the variants.

- A free souvenir glass will be included with either 3-pack purchase! Glasses will also be available for sale.

**Supplies of CD 2016, CD 2016 Variants and CD Vertical 3-packs are limited.

 

This never hits distro, right?

I had it on tap in 2014 and wasn't impressed enough to make the drive for it but I'd love to be able to pick up a bottle or two to try again.

 

it does not. I personally think their Chocolate & Coffee Aged version of Dark Hollow that shows up from time to time is the best of the bunch. Regular Dark Hollow is good enough for me as it is one of the best barrel aged stouts in Virginia but I'll grab a a few CD.

From a consumer standpoint and how much $$ it costs It stinks that in order to get variants patrons have to purchase 3 '16 regulars but it's a good model by the brewery for making sure people don't just show up for the variants leaving a lot of regular at the end of the day. You basically have to show up knowing you are leaving $96 poorer on bottles alone if you plan on getting variants. Not to mention the teaser to those who are not going to pass up the 2nd set plus pours during the day.

 

Agreed, not a fan of having to spend almost $60 on regular CD, just for the right to purchase the variants. Don't get me wrong, I definitely understand the philosophy behind it - but I'm not spending $100 bucks just to get one bottle of each variant. This, along with the lack of draft in previous years, will probably keep me from making the hour long drive to the Barrel House for this event.

 

Special tapping and times announced.
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Check out some of the special tappings we'll be doing throughout the day:

*We will tap two kegs on the hour, every hour between the hours of 12pm - 6pm.*
12pm - Concealed Darkness 2016 & Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy
1pm - Barrel-Aged Anastasia & Concealed Darkness Variant #1 (coconut chocolate)
2pm- Concealed Darkness 2016 & Barrel-Aged Imperial Satan's Pony
3pm- Sour Cherry Devil 2015 & Concealed Darkness Variant #2 (Loire Stout)
4pm- Concealed Darkness 2016 & Chocolate-Coffee Dark Hollow
5pm- Barrel-Aged Soft Serv & Barrel-Aged Anastasia's After Dinner Mint
6pm- Concealed Darkness 2016 & Barrel-Aged Devil Fish

Purchasing so 3-pack of '16 would allow you get 2 bottles of each variant but then again that's another $50 you have to part with.

 

im lost...

so are the variants brandy and cognac or loire stout and coconut chocolate? the post mentions both.

 

Coconut Chocolate is aged in Brandy barrels
Loire Stout is aged in Cognac Barrels

 

How is Concealed Darkness different from Dark Hollow?

 

I could be wrong but I think its aged for 12 months instead of 100 days like dark hollow.

 

Dark Hollow is aged for around 4 months in barrels while Concealed Darkness is 12. Also CD uses double the malts and specialty grains that DH does.

 

Prices:
Single 750 of CD ‘16 = $16.99 + tax
3 pack CD '16 = $50.99 + tax
Vertical 3 pack ('14, '15, '16 CD) = $53.99 + tax
Brandy variant = $18.99 + tax
Cognac variant = $20.99 + tax

Considering taking the trip down. I've not been to the Barrel House yet and not yet had the pleasure of CD.

 

If you do head down and want to make a longer day of it then Wood Ridge Farm Brewery is about 20 minutes north up 29 and then Loose Shoe is about 15 minutes south down 29 in Amherst. Or you could easily hope on Rt 151 and check out a bunch of the stops there.

 

If I have time I'll have to take a wander through. We're slowly working our way through the beer scene here, just take it in as time, funds, and the baby allow us to get out. So far we've hit Blue Mountain in Afton, Starr Hill, and Stable Craft.

 

More details about the variants noted by the brewery in a post today. Pretty sweet to learn both variants are double-barrel.

 

Hoping someone who's there can help fill me in on how many bottles of the variants there might be. I won't be able to make it there until close to 6, but if they were to sell out before then I'll probably not make the trip.

Also, how are the variants tasting??