2020 BCBS Release (Black Friday)

Local bottle shop in RI got the delivery on Thursday and still haven’t gotten around to putting them out on the shelves. Read - nobody cares.

Anyone seen Fog around Newport?

 

I haven't seen Fog anywhere in RI. Probably not one of the variants we received.

 

Consider yourselves (and your wallets) fortunate.

 

Just had a Carmella tonight with my lady. We both really enjoyed it. They nailed what they set out to do. But this one is just a novelty to me.

We also had a pour of French Toast Bastard today. So it was tough to not compare as that beer was absolutely dynamite and breakfast in a bottle. Very similar flavors. We ended up taking home a few crowlers of French toast to go so maybe we’ll be able to do a side by side. Some draft 2019 BCBS to go as well . Anyone in the southern Maine coast should inquire the list to go at the landing.

 

No problem for me, not a big tea fan and had no interest in Fog. Had #4 last night and can't help but miss the simplicity of the old coffee BCBS in a 4-pack of 12 oz bottles for around the same $23-24 cost.

 

They should do a coffee and vanilla variant every year. Maybe every two years to drive hype

 

Anybody in the Northshore looking for variants and regular there’s at least a case or two of Fog, #4, Caramella, and lots of regular sitting at Whole Foods in Lynnfield at Market Street.

$23 for variants and $13 for regular if I recall correctly. Gotta look for it though, I missed it at first.

 

Tried a caramella last night and it was not my thing, AT ALL. Way too sweet and adjuncty.

 

I like that word. My dentist is going to tell me I have Adjunctivitis at the next checkup.

 

I thought it was okay for the style it was trying to achieve, which is a wheatwine. It was my 2nd favorite variant after #4, with Kentucky Fog a long distant 3rd so far (hoping to trade for Birthday, Anniversary, Prop).

I'm way down on the variants this year overall. I appreciate the effort but long for the days of traditional coffee and barleywine variants with a vanilla thrown in every two years or so.

 

I also had a #4 last night. While it was fine, it was nowhere near as good as the much cheaper coffee variants from years past, and honestly, I thought this year’s regular BCBS was significantly better.

 

Has anyone gone and checked those labels for the “secret codes” HH WT BT for the single barrel aging haha

 

I thought that was Chicago area only.

 

I figured it was as well but who knows what could leak out

 

Regular BCBS at Trader Joes in Peabody $9.99 beat price I have seen. Usually has a line to get in though.

 

Stopped at Smitty’s in Tewksbury on the way to the ladies moms on a tip from a friend. Still a great selection there of the 2020 variants minus #4.

Grabbed another bottle of 2019 to age and finally go to grab the Mon Cheri. Really enjoyed the flavors of this one. They also had the orange one I tried last year and I think a barley wine and maybe two others plus the vertical.

The box of 2015 Rare was enticing. They have at least four. But the $125 price tag can go to way better places.

 

Good to know! I may need to head to Tewksbury sometime this week. I have a bottle of Mon Cheri and the Orange from 2018 that we're planning on getting into during the holiday festivities. Enjoy!

 

is that a typical price? i had found a bottle earlier in the year, $60, couple weeks into the pandemic. pretty good beer, but i definitely don't think it's $125 dollars good.

 

I don’t think so at all. I know the original asking price from GI was $60 and they hoped others wouldn’t gouge. I know it’s rare now but that price is just a cash grab.

 

I know that box was wooden instead of heavy cardboard, but having had both I thought the Reserve a couple years ago for ~$25 was just as good as the 2015 Rare so no way I'd think about paying $125 for it!