BA Blackbeard

Travelling down from Florence with a couple of friends for this release, planning to make a day of it. Can any Charleston locals comment on if this is a decent itinerary for hitting breweries, stores, and getting beer/lunch:

-Coast for BA Blackbeerd release
-Westbrook
-Holy City
-Closed For Business (for lunch)
-CBX
-James Island Pig

 

Looks like a good trip to me! Probably gonna have to hustle to hit Holy City before 2pm (unless you're just picking up bottles and foregoing tastings at the breweries). I wouldn't bother with the Pig as you will already have had access to anything they'll have in stock from the previous destinations. Would hate to be the DD on this trip.

 

Thanks for the info! On Holy City's website they claim the tasting room is open until 4pm on Saturdays, is that mistaken?

 

I know the tasting room is only open until 2pm this Saturday as they have a scheduled event (carnival) later that afternoon. Not sure on tickets, etc. for the event; though, you might just want to plan on attending that as I'm sure their brews will be available for tasting/purchase there as well. Maybe someone a little more familiar with HC can chime in as to the specifics as I've only been able to attend their Anniversary event.

 

Ill probably be getting there right around 11. Reason being I want to scoop up another growler of Old Nuptial if possible.

 

If I end up behind a bus again, I'm setting that sumbitch on fire before people get off.

 

Sounds good. I'll most likely see you there even if it's just a quick meet and greet. =)

LMAO!

 

Pig has lots of beers the CBX doesn't have. CBX has more high end stuff but Piggly has a better 6 pack selection. Depends on what you are looking for. Bombers? Stick to CBX. 6 packs? Hit up the pig also.

 

Here's the low-down on the HCB event: http://chsbeer.org/event/2012/st-andrews-firefighter-community-assistance-foundation-benefit-hcb

 

No wories Calton is too busy down in NOLA for Zwanze day to round up his heard of mules.

 

I got there around 1040, there were maybe 10 people there, but by the time the gates opened, it was between 20-30. Heard someone saying they drove down from VA. I had a sample before I got it, it wasn't as boozy as years past, very smooth.

 

Wish I made it for the old nup, but I luckily have a bottle left to crack open after my wedding.

 

So, did the BA BB last throughout the tasting day?

 

Definitely. Tons left when I headed out around 1. Tasty beer!

 

BA Blackbeerd is one of my favorite BA stouts ever based on yesterday's tasting and the bottle we opened last night. It's ridiculously smooth and the bourbon flavor was blended perfectly with the beer rather than overpowering it. BA Old Nuptial on the other hand left me a bit disappointed, but I'm glad I got to tick a sample of it and see what it's about. I'd love to try the base barleywine sometime without the additional barrel aging. I felt like the barrel flavors were too up front.

 

The base was hot and not that great fresh. The BA version was amazing when released and also when I tasted a bottle a couple months ago. I didn't get a growler of the recent release, so I can't comment on that.

 

The base beer was brewed in 2009, there is still some hanging around that I believe was put in barrels for another round of bottle old Nup sometime in the future. Not sure if they have plans to make another fresh batch or not. I have to disagree with you on the Old Nup though, I think the barrel character is amazing. Might be my favorite barelywine ever. BTW I am the person who was standing right behind you in line on Sat. How was the rest of your Charleston trip?

 

Not gonna lie, this excites me greatly. Any idea what time they put it in those barrels? The original was in for 18 months, thats why its so goddamn delicious. Hope they let it sit there that long again!