Founders - Curmudgeon's Better Half (2018)

I wish they'd just release the normal Imperial Stout again

 

Drank a 750 ml bottle last night by myself - and thought it was quite tasty - I gave it a review of 4.25/4.5/4.25/4/4.25.

I didn't think it was overly sweet - more boozy than sugary. Perhaps people still perceive the molasses and maple flavors as sweet even when most of the sugars would have fermented out?

 

I've been unable to find Bliss near me the past few months and it used to be readily available. Maybe they have a stockpile...

 

I am trying to age one but I enjoyed the beer a lot and three are already gone. I tucked it a little out of the way so we will see how long I can make it last.

 

https://crownmaple.store/

Check these guys out.

 

Lol. My problem too. I actually take a case box and fill it with various stuff. Then write the year I want to open it. Tape it up and stick it back in the darkest corner I can find and try to forget it.

 

Haven't seen Better Half in AZ yet. Unless I'm not looking hard enough.

Slow distro out West?

 

Thanks, have you tried that? I was gifted a bottle of a local Michigan bourbon maple syrup and I did not think it compared to Bliss. I'm a little wary of spending $20 on a bottle of the barrel character is very subtle.

 

Not yet. Just got it a couple of days ago from Costco. It was under $15 for 750 mL. I see that it's $35 on their site.

 

Saw Better Half in several stores around central MD yesterday (surprisingly early distro...wasn't expecting it til Oct). Price check was $5.99 a single 12oz. or $18.99 a 4 pack. In comparison Backwoods was selling for $16.99 at same store so Better Half was $2 more a 4 pack. I grabbed a single for now. Will have it this week. There should be plenty of 4 packs around for several weeks if I want to buy more (that's why I love Founders in my distro area now).

CBS 750ml's were selling for $28-$30 range in my area for regional comparisons.

 

Wow, If I can find it for that price at costco I will grab some! Thanks!

 

I've also noticed Backwoods Bastard is cheaper than any of the limited offerings in my market. Backwoods Bastard is $14.99 here and all the limited offerings like Better Half and Barrel Runner have been $16.99

 

OMG Costco sucks down here. Never see stuff like that. For Better Half I tagged it as diabetes in a bottle, but it was balanced out. It is probably the best maple forward beer that I have ever had. Going to drink another one this week to determine if I break my rule of no more BA beers in my cellar til I drink it down. I actually found it better than CBS this year

 

That's good intel. So seems consistent that their BA Wee Heavy goes $2 cheaper than other barrel aged offerings by Founders in most markets. I realize my part of MD is pretty pricey. High cost of living area (and no tax breaks like out in CA).

 

LOL Wow that is exactly what I do right down to writing the year I want to open it. The tape is crucial to keeping it closed and maintaining the illusion of surprise when you open it. I've managed to trick myself a couple times by completely forgetting about such-and-such bottle then opening the box like "Wow I can't believe it!" The mind is strange.

 

Just picked up a 4 pack in Baltimore city for $16.99. Don't think we'll see it much cheaper than that outside of maybe Total Wine.

 

Nope, Total Wine in Nova at least is charging more than that.

 

Had this on-draught at my local pub last night. T'was a solid beer, but my socks stayed firmly in place. At the risk of sounding like a tosser, it wasn't as good as I remember it being, but in no way was it anything approaching disappointing.

 

Founders did a great job with this one. Need to grab at least another 4pk this week.

 

Apparently they shipped a bunch to Wegman's (straight from Founders) - that does me no good, but if you are closer to a Wegman's might be worth a stop. My local shops keep telling me "next week" or "supposed to have it soon".