Toppling Goliath in Chicago (2018)

This was the real winner for me...

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42001/245717/

Apparently they did a BA version too... https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42001/332797/

 

That sounds awesome. I'm a sucker for both nitro and vanilla.

 

Considering KBBS's extremely high status in most people's eyes, I'd probably drop a note to try it. The problem is there's just not enough going on to be worth the drive for me. If you could get more than one bottle, other special bottles, hell maybe even just a draft pour I'd be tempted. But the one 12 oz is just too little for me.

 

I won't mock anyone for being willing to spend $100 to try KBBS, I've just never run into a beer that I've found worth that price (and doubt this is the one that is).

Hopefully 10 years down the line they'll do what they just did with MD, and let us plebes in Chicago have a 5 oz. pour of KBBS. I'd pay $20 for that honor.

 

The pour I had at Hop Leaf was only $8!

 

Yeah (mine was $8 or 9 at Binny's), but MD is only $40 a bomber, KBBS is $100 for 12 oz. A 5 oz. pour of KBBS for $20 would be a steal at this point!

 

If it's like the last few big releases at TG (MD and Assassin), there might be a KBBS tapping or two at one of the local bars/spots (Rhubyat, Mabes, Courtyard & Cellar, ... can't think of the last one that also did Assassin). That info wouldn't be released until closer to the release day so we shall see.

 

Do you mean they actually tapped KBBS at external spots for the Assassin and/or MD released? Or do you mean they tapped Assassin at Rubaiyat, etc., for the Assassin release?

Reason I ask - my general impression is that they don't keg any KBBS.

 

I meant the one in bold. I meant that whatever release was happening that that beer was available on draft at certain bars/establishments the day before.

I wasn’t aware that TG posted about not kegging any of it, but if that’s the case it likely won’t be available except in bottles. Some of those bars might have it in bottles (I think Rhubyat had KBBS bottles pouring during Assassin ‘18 release) but price of pour will likely be quite steep.

 

Imperial Golden Nugget is quite tasty in my opinion.

A bit more dry than most of my favorite "New England"-style IPA's, but very orange citrus forward with some cane sugar sweetness to balance that edge.

Not cheap, really, but it was less than $100 and I didn't have to drive 10 hours round trip for it (one block from my workplace, in fact!).

 

FTFY.

 

I did have to sign a "non-purchase" clause; they can sue me if I buy another beer brewed within 150 miles of Decorah.

Sorry, Pulpit Rock, can't fuck with you for a few years!

 

Decorahs is really out of the way, you need to take rural highways for a good chunk of the route heading from Chicago. That being said, it is a beautiful drive once you get in the teh SW Wisc/NE Iowa area (the Driftless Area).

 

Edibles help (passengers only, of course)

 

The $100 for a 12 oz. bottle of beer doesn't bother me. I've long ago divorced myself from the illusion that "craft beer" is less about the profits and more about the customer. It's not. After all, every brewer is in it first and foremost for the money. And the more that people are willing to pay for the beer, the more that the brewer will (and from a business perspective, should) charge. Whatever.

My problem is with this God-forsaken brewery as a whole. Has its bullshit tactics with the non-competes and suing employees and blocking any person on Twitter who dares question the brewery's actions and motivations become lost on people? I will never spend money on a TG beer again.

 

It did spit on you...

 

Yeah, this was mostly my point. Last year when KBBS + Assassin (or whatever the hell it was) was $200, I was like, "holy shit that's a lot of money, but good for them for milking some of that secondary money." This year it's "holy shit, man, TG keeps doing shit that reinforces my theory that they're run by asshole(s)."

I don't think any of us begrudge breweries making money, but I think most of us at least like the illusion that while making money, breweries still appreciate us (and their fellow breweries).