Bell's Saturn

Just had a pint of Saturn in the cafe. Very good beer. For $43 a case very nice price point for a tasty BA offering. Pleasantly surprised!!!

 

Any idea how long it will stick around at the general store? Is it moving super fast?

 

Until they install the real time inventory tracker on their website, your best bet is to call the General Store the day you're looking to head over and see if they have it in stock.

 

All other planet series have been pretty accessible. Any reason to believe this one won't be? So far it sounds like good, not great. Not sure if it's worth the drive to k-zoo. LOVE CW BBBW so if it's anything close would def be worth the drive.

 

I was there at 2:30PM today. I'm guessing they started the day with two full pallets of Saturn in the cooler but I do not know this for sure. They had one pallet with about a dozen cases on it and the other pallet was barely touched.

I remember that with the last Black Note release, it seemed like they would put two or three full pallets in the cooler at the beginning of the day. When they were gone, they were done with Black Note for the day and then they would do it all over again the next day. They did this for approximately a week. Someone help me out here - is my recollection correct?

 

Sounds about right, although it may not be daily so a call would be best. I happened to be in town when Hopslam hit and the day I was there was a miss for me. They had it the day before, and another pallet was coming tomorrow.

 

Still have a full pallet.

 

Any word on when it hit's distribution in metro Detroit?

 

How has Central Waters BBBW become the measuring stick for good barleywine in this thread?

 

I'd at least expect comparisons against Sucaba or something.

 

Because cost and availability of Sucaba is comparable???

 

Because like Saturn, BBBW is very inexpensive compared to most BA Barleywines, and both are in 12oz bottles which is generally preferred.

EDIT: Oh and because it tastes awesome.

 

Yeah using the 3rd highest rated (never mind the top two are not easily accessible around these parts) American Barleywine on BA as comparison is sheer lunacy.

 

Seriously?

I haven't had it in a couple years. 2011-2013 were OK, but definitely not top 5 material.

Then again, BA Behemoth is #4, so take that as you will.

 

CW BBBW is awesome (had one last night), my favorite by far (except for BC). That is why I said if it is anywhere close, it may be worth the 45 minute drive to the general store. If it's Meh, I will just buy a sixer at my local when it hits.

 

I can't speak to the CW BBBW, but if it's anything like their BB Stout...no thanks.

And I wouldn't say it's much more available than Sucaba around here. Neither distributes to Michigan, both distribute to Illinois - kind of a wash.

 

I've heard CW BB Stout called "poor man's bourbon county" before. It's not. I honestly put it on the same level as Dragon's Milk, except that it somehow sells out immediately in Chicago.

Maybe they upped their game recently.

 

I had a CW BB stout last night and was underimpressed. I would probably prefer Dragon's Milk. But their BBBW was a much better drinking beer. I've got BCBBW and BA Bigfoot in my basement, but have tried neither. Soon, I'll have to get them all together with Saturn.

 

I agree. I'm not a big fan of the BBS but I really enjoy the BBBW. And I enjoy it more fresh out of the gate than aged. Of course everyone has their own opinion as to whether they like BBBW but the point of questioning why anyone would use BBBW as benchmark of a good barelywine when the ratings on BA suggest otherwise is a bit misguided imo.

 

I honestly didn't think it was rated that high. Live and learn, I guess.