Revolution Brewing (2021)

Tastes obviously differ, but I want to delve into this a little bit. I'm a BCBS fan boy, so I obviously disagree, but that said...looking at and tasting each, I think the reasons primarily center around the base - with one being an oatmeal stout vs. not. Personally, I don't tend to like the oatmeal base as much, and there's a flavor that originates with that base that is expressed in DT/variants that is a little 'off putting' for me. -At least compared to a non oatmeal. I haven't put my finger on it or I would be more specific. That said, their barrel program speaks volumes through this year's DT. It is more barrel/bourbon forward and more well-rounded. Although 2017 or 2018 is still my favorite for DT, it's obvious to me (at least in my recollection) that the barrel was weaker that year, but the creaminess of the base really improved my preference for that year. I don't recall if that was the year VSOD was woven in.

So, in the most round about way possible, I am trying to say that I completely understand where anyone is coming from if they say (this year) they prefer DT. Personally don't agree, but I get it.

 

It is good to know that you liked BCS and that taste is subjective.


(Now this is a shitpost!! )

In all seriousness, very interesting analysis!!

 

I think BCS since 2014 and non-infected 2015 has had a lot of darker fruits, been on the thinner side, and weirdly carbed than before that where you got a lot more barrel character flavors of vanilla, graham cracker, and a richer boozy flavor. Just seems like it went from whole milk to 1%. This isn't really a relitagation of the downward trend of BCS, but moreso that Deth's Tar has steadily been increasing the "whole milk" bourbon barrel aged stout flavors. Regular BCS has definitely improved the last two years from 2016-2019 but Deth's Tar has take much larger strides. And after just having Riverlands Tranquil I get those richer notes that I now get with Deth's Tar and not regular BCS. I probably need to do a blind and actually write tasting notes down rather than going from memory/word vomiting. Maybe this weekend...

 

Ryeway next Friday--I'm like a kid anticipating Christmas.

 

And LP Binny’s still has last years, if you want some!

 

This release is really sneaking up in a not-so-fun-financial way but Ryeway is either my favorite or tied for my favorite yearly release from Rev

 

Yep - we love that Rye! It is tough on the wallet to only have 3 weeks between releases, especially at THIS time of the year. But we'll have 7 weeks to recover between the last two releases, so that will help.
I'm digging the new Dark Mode t-shirt, and now they have a long sleeve shirt for Maple Jacket, but where is the Ryeway to Heaven shirt?!?
I love 2020 Ryeway, only increasing my expectations for VSOR, so I'll look for that t-shirt.

 

For M.C. Escher fans like myself, the Dark Mode artwork in general is just glorious.

 

The Dark mode shirt is really cool. I'm not someone normally down for these type of things, as they come off really gimmicky to me. But...that shirt is very cool. Not gimmicky at all.

The generals jacket is also pretty cool, but pretty sure I am late on that one.

 

Dark Mode art reminds me a bit of the Suffering Luna S/T album cover.

Looking forward to trying it.

 

As of the last release event, they still had the general's jacket, but possibly only in XL.

 

FFS. Already?! I was at least hoping to make it to the next credit card statement.

 

Rev subscribes to the Cobra Kai school of wallet karate. Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.

 

XL-also known as the beer nerd’s medium…

 

Being a standard XL, this makes me feel like I'm in good shape.

 

Can’t say enough about this year’s SJ: sweet but not overwhelmingly so, HUGE butterscotch prune with some vanilla and cherry notes, and smoothest 15% I can remember.

 

So, I had a hot-take, and it was pretty much the same as my overall experience by the end of the can.

Nose: Lots of vanilla, but not super strong. You really have to nose the beer to get the experience. Limited other flavors.

Taste: Basically DT with Vanilla, but barrel is seemingly very absent.

Mouthfeel: Thinner than DT (but not unexpected, it is a vanilla beer afterall), but it comes off very flat. This flatness is really ruining the beer for me.

Overall: I really liked this beer after my first sip, then everything started sinking in. The mouthfeel kills this beer for me; if the carb level was up to snuff I think I'd prefer this to DT, although I'm not sure it's worth $10/can or 50% more than DT.

BA Review Score: 4.148

My review can be found here: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22072/312929/?ba=Beer_Economicus#review

 

Vanilla beans can be a tough adjunct to use. This is why a lot of brewers just use artificial (natural?) flavorings

 

Anyone hear anything on limits/prices for next week?

 

Think they are trying something new- customers will only be limited to what they can stuff into their sweat pants. If any cans fall out between the beer pick-up and check out line, you lose all your cans.