2016 BCBS Chicago Release (Black Friday & Beyond)

Did Walgreens get anything last year? I thought they were punished for their part in The Great BCBS Heist of 2014...

 

Wasn't ready, infected. Tomayto, tomahto.

 

Thinking more with wallet I guess. I was happy that they did put something back in that they didn't feel was quite ready. It will be nice to compare it next year with ones that haven't been in as long.

 

Yeah they had a release-buddy went to that one.

 

No, I totally get it. I've just really liked what beers like Rare and Haymarket's BA stout taste like after some extra barrel time, and am stupid with my money.

 

More age != better taste automatically.

Two barrels with the same age won't necessarily even have the same taste.

Back in 2012, GI did a touring thing where they had "single barrel" BCS that showed different characteristics... smokey, chocolatey, vanilla, etc. Then they talked about how to blend the different barrels to taste and let people "blend their own".

I wish they'd bring that back, because I think blending is the heart of good BA beers, but it receives so much less attention than things like what type of barrel was used.

 

I "try" to be conscious of it...but, stout season. The way this is setting up, I suspect next year is going to have way more variants?

 

Makes sense, given that single barrel whiskey can vary greatly from barrel to barrel. I'd definitely be down for a single barrel version of BCS (on tap or whatever, since it'd be pretty expensive if bottled, I'd think), to go along with the proposed 2 yr and 3 yr variants.

 

Just posted on Binny's website...

We can now confirm that Binny’s has secured a large enough allocation of vintage BCBS to allow all ticket holders in line at Binny’s Lincoln Park to purchase one 22/16.9oz or two 12oz vintage bottles of their choice. This allocation includes the following:


2012 Bourbon County Brand Stout – 12oz
2013 Bourbon County Brand Stout – 12oz
2013 Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale – 12oz
2014 Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale – 12oz
2013 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout – 12oz
2014 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout – 12oz
2014 Bourbon County Brand Stout Proprietor’s – 22oz
2014 Bourbon County Brand Stout Vanilla Rye – 22oz
2015 Bourbon County Brand Stout Regal Rye – 16.9oz

 

I just had an accident in my trousers.

 

Welp, that helps to change my plans

 

Someone misunderstood how first come, first served works...

 

I'd like to see the pricing on those bottles. Queue people complaining they thought they had enough Vanilla Rye for everyone in line.

 

Nice, dude...
I am going to say the 12oz bottles will still be 10 bucks a pop. IMHO.

 

I think the bombers last year were reasonable. Around $25-$30? Can't recall exactly

 

My knee-jerk thoughts:

1) I've had enough of Prop '14 since I can never tell which one I'm getting (cinnamon bomb or the one with some coconut left), but that'll be worth it for the people lining up in front. Will be wayyyyyyyyyyy gone by the time I get in line.

2) Pretty cool that everyone with a ticket can, at bare minimum get a "vintage" bottle or two of BCS (or Coffee, given how scarce Coffee supposedly is this year).

3) Was very, very vaguely hoping Neo Rare would be available for purchase, since I've been shut out since last year. But it wouldn't have lasted until they got to me in line, anyway.

4) Where the hell are all these vintage bottles coming from? Does someone at GI have a time machine, and is just going back a couple years, every year, and bringing back a few cases of vintage bottles?

 

4. If you ever get a chance the barrel warehouse has pallets of vintage stuff lying around.