Why doesn't Surly release more Barrel-aged Darkness?

I have no insight, but the times I've had barrel-aged Darkness the results have been uneven, to say the least. It's ranged from really good (the 2006 version) to drain-pour undrinkable (the 2012 cask at ABR, a local festival).

My guess would be that they don't have the space or inclination to mess around with small batches of beer. With demand outstripping supply, they're focusing on big numbers of bottles/cans/kegs. My hope (belief, prayer?) is that when the new brewery comes on-line they'll have more opportunity to screw around with a smaller system, & there'll be stuff, including BA Darkness, that becomes available that's more experimental.

My secret hope is that they go the Founders model. I'm hoping when I move along the gates of heaven open up onto Founders tap room.

 

The BA VB cask Darkness at Groveland Tap last year was fantastic.

 

Aren't the casks Darkness on bourbon and oak and not spirit barrel aged Darkness?

 

You are correct, the most recent casks this winter that were in the taproom were as you described (at least according to the folks working that night, aged on oak spirals soaked in bourbon). That wasn't very good either! But the older stuff, at least from what I was told, were really BA Darkness.

 

I want a cacao nib darkness. That would be the shiz.

 

I asked once what they were going to do with their old space once the new brewery opens and they said they would use it for more experimental and small batch stuff. So we'll see. Maybe they'll start a barrel program or something.

 

I wish they would do it Like Huna and darklord with different bottled variations every year that are sold via lottery at darkness day!
Who's with me?!

 

But if its a lottery I might not get them all.....

 

I wonder if surly knows that darkness fans want to see BA variations in bottles....

 

Yeah, I'm sure they've never heard that before...

 

well why aren't the listening...Cigar City and FFF did....And the Bruery...etc

 

I think they're busy.

 

With what? Making cocoa bender?

 

Are you for real? They are opening up a new brewery. Patience my man, I'm sure they will have some wild offers once they have more space.

 

What SipIt said, but also...I would push most people into traffic for more Cacao Bender.

 

Fair enough, makes sense...patience is the name of the game I guess

 

I feel like this thread should be merged with the eternal "why doesn't Founders do CBS again?" thread.

 

I can't believe its taken THIS long!

Drum roll please....

When its ready.