Founders Cellar Raid 2016

Was that Beer Bistro you went to? I was at that, and had a KBS as my last beer (after a couple Props), and it seemed to taste different than I recalled, but I hadn't had any in well over 6 months. It made me think I need to crack open one of the 2015 bottles I have and check in on it. I'll try to remember to report back whenever I get around to it (it's part of a growing list of bottles I need to open to check out.

 

"Bottles?"

LOL. That certainly suggests that there aren't going to be bottles released this year, and that the Founders Taproom FB account is being run by someone who apparently isn't familiar with how it went last year. Otherwise, I would expect a more detailed/informative response.

 

Thanks for sharing! Always like to know also since have about 2 hour trip. Maybe anyone that goes in today/tomorrow can give us some more details. I recall they have a daily print out also.

 

Yeah, the Beer Bistro event. First beer we had, didn't have any of the sweet adjunct stouts so our palates were "cleanish" - it tasted quite good, albeit maybe a little thin. I was just curious as to why everyone is hyped up about bottles. Go to the taproom, drink them on tap, order a delicious sandwich, have a great day. Why waste it waiting in line for bottles?

 

If you look at other comments on the facebook event, you can see that the person facilitating their page is being very tongue-in-cheek. They keep saying things like this, or putting smiley faces, or pulling the whole "We can neither confirm nor deny bottles will be available". It's pretty apparent that they will be, but they are likely trying to avoid a shitshow by explicitly saying it. This will only afford them a small break because once the word hits, everyone will lose their minds....but a break they will appreciate nonetheless, I'm sure.

 

Why not do exactly as you said and also buy a few bottles to take home and enjoy later?

Also, the FB post did say "bottles?" but if you read through all the other comments and posts it seems as if they are just being coy. My bet is bottles will be released, just differently than last year.

 

I did wonder if the Prop may have affected my taste, as I didn't think Big Hugs was impressive at all (tasted my buddy's order of it, and was the first time I had it). Then I had Big Hugs from bottle last night, and thought it was pretty good. Who knows, though - different days can sometimes yield different results.

As @KBS mentioned, I can see waiting in line for some bottles to take home and try later, while also going in the taproom to have some on tap. Whether or not the beer is holding up well enough to still be a great drinking experience is obviously up to each drinker, but if I were there and knew some vintage KBS was being sold in bottles, I would try to grab some (depending on the craziness of the line).

 

I'm referencing the many posts in this thread saying how long the lines were last year, people waiting in line (just 2 this morning, but you get the idea) without knowing what (if anything) is being offered, etc. The question remains - what unknown bottle X are people waiting in line for? It's one thing to be at the taproom, and cross into the shop and pick up a few bottles. It's entirely another to wait in line in January outside Founders without knowing a) that anything is being released and b) what is being released (if any).

 

To avoid having a line out the door in the morning, or people just coming to buy, mule, and horde, they might just be randomly doing it. More incentive to come to the taproom to hang out and have a pint, and if all the sudden there are bottles available, BAM.

Gets more people in the taproom, for a longer period of time, and gives people that work a normal schedule to have a chance.

just my thoughts.

 

I'm more confused as to why the 2 people were there if there was a sign saying no vintage bottle sales today. There really isn't a need to line up just to get into the tap room, is there? I guess everyone has a different opinion of what is too crazy to do for some beer.

 

then you have people complain on FB like this (sorry if it's one of you...)

 

Hahaha, well, still LOL, but for entirely different reasons. Thanks--I appreciate the context!

 

The updated taplist is finally starting to show on Founders' website:

KBS Blast 11.2% This rare variation of KBS was aged 651 days in Blis Blast hot sauce barrels!

Barrel-Aged Honey Stuff 10.5% A delicious wheat beer aged in bourbon barrels with gallons of local honey, right in the barrels!

Should be a good time (regardless of bottle releases).

Edit: This differs from the actually taplist showing up at Founders (pictured on Facebook) - odd.

 

I'm sure there is a ton of awesome stuff on tap, but this sounds...disgusting.

 

What bottles are people actually expecting them to release such that there is a reason to get riled up (not saying people are necessarily getting riled up in here)? Do people still get pumped over KBS? Over the hill CBS bottles? Tap-list will be killer. Enjoy it.

 

Guessing some of that might end up tapped at different times? None the less, Both sound like an interesting try. I am going to guess they're not goingto be doing build your own flight / tasters of these though?

 

Sometimes they have different beers tapped at each bar, I only saw pics of the one board. Might be different beers at the other bar.

 

Kbs blast is at the side bar

 

Looks like $6.50 for 8oz pours of the class 3 stuff is the only option.

That was kind of what I was thinking. Thanks for clarifying.

 

As with all things lately, this event would be about 100x better if there wasn't gonna be bottles. Once there is a bottle release, every beer futures trader is sitting outside in the middle of winter, making the entire process annoying for those that just wanna enjoy the taproom.