Bell's Brewery (2020)

I never ended up getting a chance to try the Vanilla BN last year. I also don't really recall talking to anyone that did. At that time, just about 60 days before birth, I also was sort of on and off BA, so I don't even remember reading much about it.

How did it fair - did it get rave reviews?

 

I preferred regular Black Note. Looking back at my Untappd checkin I mentioned a sweet spot temp where everything played together just right. As it warmed past the sweet spot temp the vanilla got a bit too floral and drying on the back end for me. I think 6-18 months in the magic beer closet would've helped round it off a bit but I only got ahold of a single and didn't like it enough to chase after more.

I should mention I am also a fanboy of Black Note. She was my OG white whale and I always savor the chance to drink it. Even so the Vanilla was a one and done for me which is exactly why I'm not gonna get myself tied in knots chasing this coffee one. I think OG Black Note is perfect as-is and doesn't need flavoring add-junks.

 

I was lucky to stumble upon VBN at a local restaurant a couple weeks ago (it's gone now or I would tell you where).
On tap, and I enjoyed it, but it didn't make me regret not making the trip last year and standing in line for the release.

 

I really appreciate everyone's opinion on this.

I like BN, but it doesn't resognate with me the way I think it does with some. It's one of those that I'd certainly go through the effort of tracking it down (if it was local, through the searcher app), back when it was released. -BUT, not one that I probably would have traded for at the time (unless perhaps at cost, more or less). I always enjoy the ability to try something new, and so I'd still love to try coffee-vanilla BN if it's not a michigan exclusive this year. One can hope!

(Now that I think of it, I actually called around to like 15 places back in November/December locally, and everyone said they had no clue, or it came and went immediately. For the latter, I suspect they did whole 4-packs rather than individual bottles. It sounded like there might have only been 4 accounts or so locally that got it, though.)

 

The Vanilla Black Note disappeared like a fart in the wind last year in Chicago. I do wish it stuck around a little longer but I much prefer BA Expedition to Black Note.

 

Anyone grab a bottle of 35th Anniversary Expo? I seen it hit at a couple spots but missed out, must have been extremely limited IL distro.

 

I never even noticed it here.

 

Bells isn't releasing it until tomorrow https://www.instagram.com/p/CFK8rj8lFjB/

For non-IGers:
As Michigan's oldest brewery, we're celebrating our 35th Anniversary with one of the oldest beers in our portfolio. We've taken Expedition Stout, a beer that speaks to the history and longevity of our brewery, and amped it up even a little bit more, coming in at 11.5% ABV with big flavors of molasses, caramel, and roast.

So how can you join in the celebration?!
1: Set your alarm for 11am on Wednesday 9/16 as we release online pre-orders for 4-pack bottles. Pick-ups will begin Saturday 9/19, and are $14 per 4-pack to those 21+. Valid ID is required for pick up, and ID must match the online purchaser.
https://store.bellsbeer.com/pages/pickup-beer-store

2: Join us on Saturday 9/19 as we tap this 35th Anniversary Expedition Stout at the Eccentric Cafe! Friendly reminder, all guests must be 21+ right now, and face masks are required for entry.

Thank you for an amazing 35 years, and here's to many more!

 

Yikes, I wonder if the distributors messed up here, I've seen it posted for sale at a couple places last week, but sold out in a day.

 

I like that price point. Was honestly worried it would be closer to Bells' BA pricing level. Now hopefully I can get lucky enough to stumble across a 4 pack. Bell's is always so hit or miss in the Mke distro area. I've missed out on single bottles of stuff and I've also seen BA Expo hiding for weeks behind store counters. Other times the good stuff doesn't drop here until weeks after it's cleared out everywhere else. Not sure what gives with Bell's in particular. I just want to walk into a store a grab a damn 4 pack!

BTW for anyone that has had this, how is it different from regular Expedition Stout besides the slight abv tweak? Is it close to that 30th Anniversary stout's magical smoothness?

 

I stumbled across some 35 Anniversary on Saturday at Binny’s. I had never heard of it, but I love Expedition so I picked up 2 4-packs. This explains why there are no reviews! Haven’t tried it yet.

 

Damn, Expo is my favorite RIS. Looks like I may have to line up my first trade in years for the 35th Anny.

 

If it turns out that 35th anniversary is widely available in Michigan, somebody please tell me. It appears it will be very difficult to get in Illinois this year

 

Public Service Announcement (Reminder) time:

Remember to use the Bell's beer finder. It actually works.

 

I just did a search in the Beer Finder, and nothing came up 50 miles of my zip even though I bought some today 2 miles from my house?

 

Yea...After I posted, I checked a random chicago zip code, and saw nothing.

Not sure what's going on. It's historically been very helpful.

 

I checked 50 miles of Kzoo also

was good to see stock of other favs

 

Likely because it is not supposed to be released yet. I'm sure the distributor screwed up & got it out too early because Bell's release day for 35th is on Saturday. That is the first day for General Store pick up & the first day they are tapping it at the Eccentric Cafe.
Next week the beer finder should be more useful

 

When is Vanilla Black Note supposed to hit Chicago area? Stumbled upon it last year and really dug it. Would go for the coffee as well.