Half Acre (2020)

Benthic this year is fantastic, Xtra Dubl is incredible and vanilla is... missing something that I can't put my finger on.

 

I opened my Cherry Brandy Benthic last night and it was definitely my favorite from this year’s release, although I haven’t had Old Ben yet. It was way more balanced and nuanced than any of the others, at least at this early stage.

 

The hype on Benthic is real. Haven't gotten into the variants yet but the regular is just silly good.

Also, big shout to the staff at Balmoral: I showed up yesterday with my 2 year-old son in the backseat thinking it was a curbside pickup (it's not) but I called and they quickly brought me out my allotment... so I didn't have to do any Questionable Father Duty in the Name of Beer type shit.

 

Has Benthic hit stores yet? Did I miss it already?

 

Yes, started hitting stores last week I believe.

 

Binnys always be hiding shit I forgot to ask

 

Regular Benthic this year is pretty good but in odd ways. Tons of barrel and the coconut and coffee are not at the forefront. Would you even know it was Benthic if blind? I’m not so sure. So it’s good but in unexpected ways.

After dinner I had XtraDubl Benthic. On the short list of my beers of the year (up there with Cuppaccino). Good barrel with lots of toasted coconut (not sun tan lotion to be found) and nice coffee. Just a terrific adjunct BA stout.

 

I'll say this about these Benthic cans (last year & this year)...they look so similar that it's easy to not know exactly what you're drinking.

For example, the color scheme on "regular" Benthic and Old Ben are identical...I briefly thought that I had accidentally drank Old Ben instead of Benthic.

Now, on one hand it's a compliment to Benthic that I liked it so much that at the first sign of confusion I assumed it must have been a special edition...but from a design standpoint, I think you shouldn't have to read the fine print to know what is what.

As usual...one idiot's opinion.

 

GuyFawkes not GuyReads

 

It seems like it's a perennial punch to your perineum.

 

100% agree. Burl was one of my favorites last year. Bought it with no expectations and it was great. This year’s version seems unbalanced, like it’s really leaning into the juicy/fruity side of the scale but i found it to be too thin which made the lack of carbonation seem flat, as opposed to soft and fluffy. I’d have liked it better as either one of their hybrid-style hazies with more bitterness or as a full-on pillowy NEIPA.

 

I hit Benthic raw dog* tonight...confirmed my suspicions. Whatever the fuck we mean when we say a brewer has "dialed in" a recipe applies here. Great mouthfeel, tons of rich flavors but somehow balanced & not over the top.



*meaning first beer of the night, not that I stuck...never mind.

 

It’s not even 7:30 and we are already on a roll

 

Always use protection when you coconut...

 

Apparently missed Benthic drop locally. Doh!

 

I’m settling in with a 2020 vanilla Benthic and watching the new Taylor Swift stream on Disney Plus because I’m unapologetically a Tay Tay fan and there’s nothing anyone can do about it just let me have these two goddam happy things from 2020 don’t @ me.

 

I think I prefer XtraDubl but Vanilla Benthic is really great. I’ve really enjoyed it tonight

 

Just got my shipping confirmation on the vinyl pressing of Folklore. #donthatecongratulate

 

The Raw Dawg* Report:

Vanilla Benthic is dessert stout bliss. I absolutely loved it last year, and I absolutely love it this year.

It has rich chocolate milk vibes for days, no booze heat, luxurious mouthfeel and when it warms up the whole room smells like a vanilla farm.

Wish this came as a full 4 pack, but I'm glad to have another in the chamber.

 

Having my first vanilla now. I prefer Xtradubl by a hair, but this is excellent. Benthic is just on another level this year, and I thought last year was great.