Let's Discuss Thirsty Dog's Wulver

The Wulver is a good beer, especially for those just getting into BBA beers. However, it lacks depth and balance. Unlike with the Backwoods Bastard, the barrel dominates the Wulver in such a way that it's hard to pick out those Scottish flavors. And compared to something like a Sunday Morning Stout or similar it has minimal depth and complexity.

 

It never got hyped.

 

I did trade to try Wulver and thought it was fantastic as well. However, the one that I tried was just over a year old which may have aided in supporting the balance between the bourbon heat and the malt sweetness. I am a big fan of Backwoods Bastard and have much easier access to it and honestly the two are close enough in quality to me that I don't need to go out of my way to trade for Wulver. Were it on shelves in my distro that would be a different story.

 

I got a Wulver as an extra in a trade. While it was good, I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Likewise, I wouldn't go out of my way for Backwoods Bastard (again, got as an extra in a trade). I'm discovering I really don't care for barrel aged variants, and especially Scottish Ales/Wee Heavies. Not to say I wouldn't drink one if I had it, but there are other beers I'd rather spend my trade money obtaining and liver consuming.

I guess it's proof that just because it hits the general criteria for a hype beer, those are not the only components to produce a hype beer.

 

I usually get some every year, It's excellent, as is BA Siberian Night. They both sit on the shelves for quite a while

 

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but in NC it is quite pricey. Typically close to $30 a four pack. I enjoy the beer, but it is significantly more expensive than other 12 oz bottles of barrel aged beers.

 

I wish we got it here. i had it last year and loved it. Would love to have it side by side with BWB.

 

I see it on the shelf and always pass it up because of the price. No reason to even try it when Backwoods Bastard is perfect at a much lower cost.

 

Excellent beer.

 

I've had both countless times and have done them side-by-side to be sure, but I must say I have the opposite opinion. Backwoods is still really good, but Wulver has more depth and balance. Bastard has a boozier taste despite being lower abv and has less going on in the flavor department. Wulver has more full, rich flavors and the alcohol is less in-your-face.

 

Thirsty dog isn't as well-known and regarded as Founders and Wulver is more expensive which is why Backwoods Bastard gets more attention on here (although Wulver is not a worse deal imo). I think the BA Wee Heavy is just under-appreciated and un-hyped compared to the BA stout which is why Backwoods can sit for weeks while KBS vanishes in hours. I don't have a problem with Wulver's lack of appreciation for its greatness, though. Why try to make a great beer harder to get?

 

I love it, but it seems Thirsty Dog skipped us when it came to barrel aged beers last winter. The year before Wulver and barrel aged Siberian Night was on the shelves for months and I gladly purchased. There aren't any other quality barrel aged beers around here sharing that distinction. If the price scared them off? Good! I'll gladly pay a few bucks 'juice' to avoid lines/hype.

 

It's a fine beer I tell you. Sweet and strong. I submit for your approval my photos.

 

Wulver is quite a bit better than backwoods but also quite a bit more expensive and not as allocated, so it flies under the radar. People assume that, since it's available on shelves half the year and most of Thirsty Dog's other beers aren't much to shout about, that it must not be that good. Fine by me since I can go pick it up pretty much whenever I want.

 

This beer is really freaking good. Went to a beer meetup a few months back and we all ordered this at the end of the night, agreeing it was among the best we had that evening.

To your question, I simply think that Thirsty Dog is not one of those breweries that garners a whole lot of hype. What can you do, except enjoy this fine beer knowing that it's not going to bring you any bragging rights?

 

Drank one last night and confirmed its one of my favorites. If it was not so expensive I'd buy it by the pallets!

 

Pretty simple. It's double the price of backwoods

 

Both are great, but Backwoods is $10 per 4 pack cheaper. So is Central Waters Bourbon Barrel aged Scotch I'm very happy with all three of these.

 

@Immortale25 has shown they are the smartest person in this discussion.