GI Night Stalker

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by allouez86, Nov 29, 2012.

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  1. allouez86

    allouez86 Pundit (999) Jan 24, 2009 Wisconsin

    First off, I'm trying not to make this one of those "this years celebration lacks the spice of last years version" threads, but good gawd does the new vintage of Night Stalker taste like a hoppy mess of a beer. Now I'm "newish" to craft beer, maybe 2.5 years of really seeking good beer and I haven't had a Night Stalker in maybe a year and a half but I just don't remember it being so over the top with the hops. Maybe I just don't remember what this beer tastes like fresh but I have to say I was slightly let down. Over the top oily hop taste with a little chocolate roast was all I really got. If this beer is supposed to be like this fresh then I'll gladly admit it's just not to my tastes. Anyone else feel this way or is it just me? Also, I love a good imperial stout so its not that I don't like the style.

    On a side note, the side of the bottle states that the beer will remain "brewery fresh for 180 days" as apposed to the "this beer will evolve for up to 5 years in the bottle" that my Feb 2011 vintage says. New recipe perhaps?
     
    #1 allouez86, Nov 29, 2012
  2. Etan

    Etan Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Wisconsin

    Nightstalker was always hoppy (that's the point). I doubt they changed the recipe. I did pick up a bottle of the new batch today, so I will see for myself.
     
    #2 Etan, Nov 29, 2012
  3. allouez86

    allouez86 Pundit (999) Jan 24, 2009 Wisconsin

    Yeah I knew it was hoppy, just seemed like it was too much. Again, it has been a long time since I had one fresh so it could just be my tastes.
     
    #3 allouez86, Nov 29, 2012
  4. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    new vintage???? are you drinking a new batch or a 2 year old bottle? Obviously the new one would be hoppier and the vintage one would have faded hops. I mean its an un-bourbon countied stout thats dry hopped like crazy; its more of a fresh beer and not aged like BCBS.
     
    #4 nickMB, Nov 29, 2012
  5. dvelcich

    dvelcich Zealot (646) Feb 6, 2008 Illinois
    Trader

    It's not just a hoppy stout, it's dry-hopped, so yeah, it's gonna be hoppy.
     
    #5 dvelcich, Nov 29, 2012
  6. Gonzoillini

    Gonzoillini Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2008 Illinois

    Like others have said, the beer is designed to be a super hop forward variation on Bourbon County's base beer. As such, it is over the top hop forward in the same way that 2009 / 2010 / 2011 (to a smaller extent) Darkness were when they were fresh.

    If you don't like it now I'd highly suggest picking up another bomber or two for your cellar (if your into that). It ages very well and the perceived hop bitterness / flavor / aroma all fade gracefully.

    Cheers!
     
    #6 Gonzoillini, Nov 29, 2012
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  7. allouez86

    allouez86 Pundit (999) Jan 24, 2009 Wisconsin

    I had a two year old bottle not long ago that was awesome and at $9.99 a bottle I'll probably age one or two for science and just chalk it down as being too hoppy fresh for my tastes. Cheers!
     
    #7 allouez86, Nov 29, 2012
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  8. Bakker

    Bakker Zealot (500) Aug 1, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    Havent seen it out there. Any help on where to find one?
     
    #8 Bakker, Nov 29, 2012
  9. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Tastes just like it always did to me -- not that good
     
    #9 jegross2, Nov 29, 2012
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  10. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Green Bay. We have a few cases left
     
    #10 jegross2, Nov 29, 2012
  11. danimalarkey

    danimalarkey Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2008 Illinois

    Saw it at the new fancy-pants Walgreens in Bucktown but at the obscene price of $19.99. They price Double Fist at $4.99, Madame Rose at $20.99 and then... Nightstalker at $19.99? I... don't get it.
     
    #11 danimalarkey, Nov 29, 2012
  12. tinypyramids

    tinypyramids Pundit (897) Jul 19, 2012 Illinois

    on tap at gi clybourn last night.

    edit: 2012
     
    #12 tinypyramids, Nov 29, 2012
  13. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    It seems like everyone is in the same boat about this beer so can someone explain the 93 on BA and the 100/97 on RB?

    Hipster p4k rating of a 6.1/10.
     
    #13 nickMB, Nov 29, 2012
  14. 0zzzie19

    0zzzie19 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2008 Illinois

    Saw a guy walking around with one at AH Binnys last night.
     
    #14 0zzzie19, Nov 29, 2012
  15. thewimperoo

    thewimperoo Maven (1,358) Oct 1, 2006 Illinois
    Trader

    I got one at Standard Market in Westmont for $11 or $12.
     
    #15 thewimperoo, Nov 29, 2012
  16. Jplachy

    Jplachy Pooh-Bah (1,848) Feb 12, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Whole Foods Schaumburg told me they would have this tomorrow. No clue on price. Just saw some at South Loop Market on Van Buren. They had about a dozen bottles at $14.99 a piece.
     
    #16 Jplachy, Nov 29, 2012
  17. misterid

    misterid Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2009 Wisconsin

    where? i was just at Ridgeview and did not see it on the shelves.
     
    #17 misterid, Nov 29, 2012
  18. JRBecks

    JRBecks Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2012 Illinois

    Got a bottle of 2012 at Foremost in AH last night
     
    #18 JRBecks, Nov 29, 2012
  19. JimGlonke

    JimGlonke Pundit (899) Apr 27, 2012 Illinois

    At Binny's Highland Park as of this am. $9.99 + tax. Ask for Tom - awesome beer guy.

    Also saw it last night at Evolution in Lakeview, but don't recall price. Thinking $9.99 or so as well...Dave is the beer guy there.
     
    #19 JimGlonke, Nov 29, 2012
  20. wyatt13

    wyatt13 Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2011 Illinois

    $9.49 at Evanston First this afternoon.
     
    #20 wyatt13, Nov 29, 2012
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