Beers as good (or better) than Vanilla Rye

Mikeller vanilla Shake, barrel aged.

 

4 Hands Madagascar might be a good one to compare. I had it last night for the first time and it wasn't as good as Vanilla Rye, but it also wasn't bad.

 

Velvet Speedway?

 

I much preferred the '10 BC Vanilla of the Vanilla Rye. I drank it last year, with around 4 years of age on it. It was superb. I think the Vanilla Rye is way too sweet, and tastes artificial.

I did like the Vanilla Bean Eclipse a lot as well, I think it is a lot better than other Eclipses I tried thus far.

 

If OP doesn't want to trade what it takes for VR, I highly doubt he/she will try for Velvet.

Having recently had both FO and VR, FO was better, I thought. VR has more vanilla, but FO comes together better as a complete package and is more balanced.

 

Second fundamental observation.

Disclaimer: Not a Cali guy nor a BC fanatic, just a better overall beer in my honest opinion.

 

That is a very valid point. Thanks.

 

You mean BA Vanilla Shake....not the regular. Big difference. Just want to make sure you are pursuing the proper beer here. :-)

 

Less heard of beers that should not be hard to get & are as good or better than Vanilla Rye? That seems to be a tall order to meet all those criteria. Good luck!

 

If you secured yourself an FO via trade, you probably "gave up" at least the equivalent of a VR. Did you just run out of bullets?

Agree w BA Vanilla Shake but keep in mind it's a a smaller bottle. Also, had a Madagascar relatively recently and it had faded somewhat. Still great though.

 

I have had FO, VR, and Madagascar all within the past month and I have to say, FO is the king. If you really want to make an evening out of it and do a comparision, by all means proceed, but if you're looking for something to top it, don't get your hopes up. VR and Madgascar were tied IMO for vanilla bombs but both lacked the depth/complexity/balance of FO.

 

Fair enough, I am a big fan of doing similarly styled beers in an evening as well. Vanilla Java Eclipse, Rum BA Monsters' Park w/ Vanilla Beans, Vanilla BA Framinghammer, BA Biscotti Break, and BA Kerplunk are a few more options - all are pretty limited but not on the same level as FO and VR.

 

That is a truly great trade buddy! Had a similar situation transpire for my FO. Haven't opened it yet but really looking forward to it. Cheers and good luck man!

 

The framminghammer is a lager and a porter, so its a little different style wise nut its very good. Not as good as VR, but not as hard to obtain either.

 

*Baltic Porter with a heavy amount of roasted barley and hops, making it closer to an Imperial Stout by BJCP guidelines, really the only difference is the fact that it was made with a lager yeast. Anyway, it is definitely close enough to be a good option for comparison IMO.