Imperial Eclipse Stout

This years Java is pretty phenomenal.

 

I wish I could try any of them. Especially the java but will not be finding any here in Texas.

 

MSG Me if you have acces to it please.

 

Done

 

The PVW Eclipse released at the pub this year was $40, according to my receipt.

 

The only variant I have had from this year that I would consider a "must try" is Java.

 

I was surprised to find Eclipse on shelves here in NYC. Didn't think FiftyFifty distributed to the east coast. I picked up a 4 Roses (red wax) and High West Rye (lime green wax). Wasn't happy about shelling out $31 (after taxes) per bottle but I've heard so many good things about these I had to get them. Cracked open the 4 Roses last night. I enjoyed it but it wasn't great. Gonna hold onto the High West Rye for a couple years.

 

Equal In flavor and double the price. Less ABV to boot. Sounds like a really good deal. ;-P

 

Should I drink my Java Eclipse now, or wait? I have heard "don't age coffee-centric beers" as a rule of THUMB, but also heard that most Eclipse variants need some time to mellow out. I'd LIKE to age it for a special occasion, but don't want it to deteriorate.

Anyone offer some insight?

 

My second biggest annoyance with Eclipse (first would be the crazy high price) is the colored wax to differentiate varieties. I know they list them online, but it's really tough to match up a tiny digitized square of color with the real thing, especially when so many colors are fairly similar. They should have pictures of the actual bottle or better yet, just write the fucking name on the bottle. Last week I thought I saw a Java but honestly couldn't tell and at $30 I wasn't prepared to pull the trigger unless I knew for sure; and even then it would've been tough to do...

 

For the love of...can somebody just sticky an Eclipse thread somewhere?

- Is it worth it?
- It's too expensive
- It's too thin
- Only the rare ones are good
- It's way too expensive
- It's gathering dust around here
- What about the EC bottles
- EC bottles are good
- It's too expensive
- BCS is a better value
- Summit Saga is a better value (Midwest poster only)

There. Now we never need another "What's up with Eclipse?" thread.

 

We do need another... You didn't mention that Parabola is a better beer, and a better value!

 

Sitting on my EC and Makers Mark for now...might pick up the Java after comments in this thread. Also if you're in the Philly area, want to try the Eclipses, but don't want the steep price, Hawthornes:

50/50 ECLIPSE
Wednesday, February 12th @ 6:00pm
This Spectacular Eclipse Takeover will Feature 8 Versions of Totality, an
Already Rich Imperial Stout Aged for a Minimum of 180 Days in Various
Oak Bourbon Barrels Transforming it into the Coveted Eclipse Series.
These Will be Poured this Night Only!
High West Rye High West Bourbon • Four Roses
Evan Williams & Elijah Craig 12 Year
Buffalo Trace • Maker’s Mark • Java Coffee

 

I had the Java on tap at the release party and thought the coffee flavor was kinda bitter. Some like that but I prefer less bitter. It's been my experience that coffee bitterness mellows with age, for how long may vary from beer to beer. Victory at Sea back in '10 was quite bitter too and mellowed nicely after a couple of years, and the vanilla became more pronounced.

Ideally it would be nice to try Java now from a bottle, then again in 1-2 years. That's if you have the stash.

 

Railroad street Bar and Grill in Limerick has 8 variants. Just no PVW or Rum

 

A regular bottle of Elijah Craig 12 year is less than a bottle of this beer.

Just putting that out there....

 

I found it for $25, but have seen it as high as $38...I believe the wholesaler cost per bottle was a little over $20 in this area.

 

You're quick, I actually just edited that post. I remember paying around $30 myself, but wasn't sure. Quick google search showed me multiple in the range of $27-$33.

Seems to me like the first rule of barrel aging beers should be that the price of your beer can't be more than the price of the spirit that the barrel was originally home to.

 

Surprised no one has given their thoughts on the Pappy version. Must be fairly rare or people are just sitting on it.

 

i got a bottle of the bernheim wheat last year, was not impressed. this year, i told myself i would only grab a bottle if i conveniently found a bottle of the elijah craig 12. found it, grabbed it, drank it. once again, was not overly impressed. its by no means a bad beer, its just not worth the usually $30 price tag that comes with it. i think they're above average at best, but nothing to shell out that kind of money for.