I understand almost every comment I've heard says no carbonation in this baby, last year's version. Has anyone found this not to be the case, lately, or otherwise? Is there any reason to be hopeful it ever will carb up? Did you enjoy it immensely as a still pour? Has anyone tried this idea I now have? I am planning on doing this today unless I can find reason not to, hopefully with help of my fellow BA's. Planning to mix Bourbon Fred with some carbonated regular Fred to make a carbonated drink. Good idea? If yes, how much would you think of each? Thanks for any help y'all can give. Cheers!
Based on my review, yes it was totally flat. Tasted and smelled wonderful (scored 4 and 4.5 respectively) but appearance and more importantly mouthfeel were disappointing (scored 2 for both). If you have only one bottle, I guess maybe I'd try a 50:50 blend with half that bottle and half a bottle of regular Fred, which in my experience is overcarbonated if anything. Then drink the other half as-is, just so you can note the differences. And of course report back here w/ your results; I'd be curious to learn from this experiment (although I could easily do it too as I have both Bourbon and regular Freds in the cellar). Cheers!
I have 2 so one will stay cellared. Great advice and news from first 2 replies. They are in fridge for after some chores need doing. Or not, depending on future posts here. Hope many more chime in with equally fine words.
Many big beers dont have a big head - For example - bourbon county and Kuhnhenns Ba 4th D - Both have zero head and I wouldnt ding them on appearance. Appearance is a worthless category unless you are staring a heady topper in the face!
All I know is that this year's version (July 2012) is the best beer I've had this year. I had it around the bonfire last night and upon first sip I let out a "Holy shit!!!!" That hasn't happened for me in a quite a whille!
Fred and Bourbon Fred don't taste very similar to me, so although mixing it with carbonated Fred might be interesting, it probably won't taste like carbonated Bourbon Fred. I really enjoyed my flat Bourbon Fred despite the mouthfeel (it would be better with carbonation but still), so if I were you I would just drink the 2011 bottles unmixed.
This might be true, and appearance counts only 5% toward a beer's overall score anyway. But I had an Abyss the other night (11% ABV) that had a thick billowy head that simply made the beer look better than a similar beer that pours completely still. Some level of carbonation also generally provides a better mouthfeel. As far as Bourbon Fred is concerned, Hair of the Dog has had its issues w/ carbonation, and I doubt it has always been deliberate. I had a completely flat Ruth once and there was absolutely no excuse, other than maybe poor quality control. I'll definitely ding a 5% APA that pours completely flat. It's still the worst score I've ever given a beer.
Flat Bourbon Fred is delicious, like drinking a wonderful malt wine of stupid complexity. However, I am on to something here as I have mixed some of each, a couple ounces of each, and this combo is absolutely stunning, and I recommend anyone with the ability to do it. It doesn't produce what I am sure Bourbon 'Fred with carb must taste like, but it produces something worthy of enjoyment. I can't say it is better than Flat BFFTW, as even flat it is quite good, but it is a serendipitously fine beer. That said, I am going to finish the rest of the Flat Fred as it is from bottle. Thanks to all for the help! Cheers!
I received 3 bottles of Fred batch 77 a year, 18 months ago. Both bottles opened were almost totally flat. Still have one left. A friend shared a bottle of Bourbon Fred with me right after it came out. Also flat. To date, I've never had any variety of Fred that wasn't flat. I don't care for flat Fred, but the missus kinda enjoyed it.
The Fred on the right in pic is batch 78 and is highly carb.'ed, so I recommend that batch as it is quite delicious. Funny, this flat BFFTW is the first non-carbed HOTD beer I ever have had, and I have had quite a few.
For me, very high on the list of the most disappointing beers I've tasted. Adam ftW on the other hand...
I've tried a flat bottle and a nearly flat bottle. I can't say that one was better than the other. I do like that a lot of people have beef with this beer, as it means that maybe I'll be able to get more without giving up a piece of my flesh.
I bought a case of adam/fred a few years back. At first they were as you described flat. Two or so years later the beer is carbed and tastes good. Its Batch 78. Lay em down in the back of the fridge or a good cellar/
I had a bottle of 11' Bourbon Fred a while back, and though it wasnt super carbonated, it wasnt totally flat either. I had no problem finishing the whole bottle, and though it wasnt anything mind blowing, it was tasty none the less.
