BBA Expedition

I don't believe so. I had that one too and it didn't seem to have a lot of Barrel to it i.e. Probably not in barrels for 12 months like the bottled BA Expo.

 

No. The bottled version is Bourbon Barrel Expedition Stout. Which ends up a bit different than the TC Whiskey version.

 

Thanks folks. I was at a Bell's tap takeover and several beers were Traverse City Whiskey rather than just barrel aged. I was not sure if there was any difference at the time.

 

If it has TC in the name (TC Expo, TC 355, etc) then that would indicate that it was aged in only Traverse City Whiskey barrels. The "bourbon barrel" or "whiskey barrel" moniker would generally indicate that either the distiller didn't agree to their name being the beer name or that the beer was aged in whiskey or bourbon barrels from multiple distilleries & blended together for the final product

 

Another reason to specify Traverse City for beers aged in Traverse City barrels is that they could be using either bourbon or rye barrels for the Traverse City named beers.

 

I honestly just thought the reason they called out the Traverse City aged beers was to give props to a local (or at least in-state) distillery. Even if they used all Heaven Hill barrels for Black Note or BBA Expedition, I feel like they wouldn't incorporate it into the name. But putting Traverse City on the name raises the awareness of one of the great spots in the state.

 

They'd also have to negotiate an agreement with Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., of course....

 

Of course. I don't think Bell's would go through that hassle, whereas an opportunity to tout an in-state distillery probably is something they thought was a good overall move...not just for them.

 

There are several reasons why they could specifically put the TC barrels in the name. My guess would be that TC gives them free barrels to include it in the name. Great advertising for TC whiskey for relatively low cost (whatever they could sell them for) and great for Bells with free barrels. But who knows...maybe they just wanted to help another local.

 

Yep, the guy in front of me asked this and the bell's employee said that these bottles are a blend of ba expo out of a variety of barrels

 

Based on Bells history I would bet that this is probably a large portion of it as well

They did a great job of blending!

 

Pretty sure No. I had the TC BA Exp Stout earlier this year and it was pure heat.

 

Be on the look out this week. Distro hit Grand Rapids earlier this week but very limited, maybe 2 cases per store. Probably gone in GR but may be hitting other spots.

 

Was able to grab 2 bottles that hit distro. Couldn't be happier. Anyone here know what kind of beer selection they have at the Kalamazoo Growlers games? Knew they were sponsored by Bells and we are going to check them out Sunday.

 

Bells?!

Oberon and Two Hearted I believe.

 

Kalamazoo people keeping quiet, and I found out about this too late. But apparently the west main mega bev had it from around 12-5 on Tuesday with a THREE pack limit... which is a bit nuts.

 

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this on FB too but I was lucky & stumbled upon it. Didn't plan on going there & made an impulse stop before heading to Drakes. I was shocked to see a 3 4pk limit

 

While we're on the topic of Kalamazoo distro... does anyone have any good recs for a bottle shop in Kzoo (closer to the freeway the better) that sells singles and would likely have a lot of the recent Short's stuff (I got 5, exeter, the variety pack)?

 

I assume that you mean I94 but your best bet is to take that to 131N to Stadium Dr East. A couple of miles away is Drakes Party Store wgich is the only place I trust for singles. It's the only one that rotates through stock quickly enough....that said I still always check bottle/can dates. Not sure if they have the variety pack but if not then go to Mega Bev West Main because I saw several of the Shorts variety packs there this week & it's not too far from Drakes...or 131

 

You must be passing thru Kzoo on I-94 per the way you word your request, so if you'll also be passing thru Battle Creek, the Mega-Bev in BC is between exits 97 & 98, so off at one exit and back on at the next with a stop at Mega-Bev along the way.