'16 Bourbon County Lineup

It's the only thing that doesn't freeze on the way down here

 

From their Snapchat...
BCBS 13.8% & 14.5%
BCBW
BCBCS w/ Fletcha Roja Coffee 12.5%
Prop w/Maple Syrup, Chipotle peppers and cocoa nibs 13.1%

 

Tom-a-to, tom-ah-to, I suppose, but that's not how I read it (unless there was something else beyond what was posted a few posts ago). When I hear about issues with things not being up to standard, I think of it more along the lines of there being a true "problem" with it and getting dumped. He said it's still aging, which seems like they still plan on using it. Who knows if we'll ever know for sure, though.

 

If they aren't happy with where the whiskey barrels are, they might just not do the blend and release the bourbon stuff intended for the rye variant into the pool for prop since the rye is basically half prop, half whiskey prop.

 

I think you'll see the opposite. I think it'll be easier to get regular and BW this year since there aren't any whales outside of Chicago (well, BCBCS, but I don't think people will be camping out for that like they were for Rare and potentially Regal Rye).

 

Also in that interview they announced that they ruined/changed the aging process for BW. It no longer has anything to do with BCBS, it's just another barrel-aged barleywine in a sea of hundreds of other barrel-aged barleywines. Once that becomes widely-known demand for BW will decrease.

 

Is it possible that BCBW will return to third-use barrels in the future and is just second-use this year because of the infection (i.e. BCBS barrels from last year might be suspect)?

 

Coming from a huge Bourbon County fan...this is pretty disappointing. First of all, Prop is basically the same thing as last year, and it was the worst Prop yet. Where was the innovation there?

And second, Maple Rye (which is very similar to Prop '15 and Prop '16) may not be released at all and the barleywine is apparently changing?

I've thought the complaining about the issues last year were way-overblown (it happens, and they did everything they could to make up for it), but this is looking like a 2nd consecutive year of disappointment, when they'd never disappointed (IMO) before 2015. Kinda sad.

 

I'm fine with them getting back to basics and doing less. all time, my favorite BCBS is Vanilla Rye, fresh coffee, and then...just basic BCBS. sacrilege I know but I haven't liked any of the Props, didn't love Regal, didn't love Backyard. but I LOVE the base beer

I wish they would go back to 12 ounce bottles though

 

+1. I try not to pile on the ABInBev thing because it's been beaten to death on here but damn, talk about if it ain't broke don't fix it. I don't think there's anything wrong with being skeptical about the future of the Bourbon County line at this point.

 

I meant that the variants (non-BW ones) would be tougher to get. Instead of having 4 options, we only have 2 now. Even if lines decrease, there is still quite a bit less (assuming production of BCBCS and Prop is consistent with last year). I don't see regular and BW as being an issue, which I think is how they were here last year. I got plenty of regular, and could've gotten more BW than I did as well. The others...not so much.

I would have loved to have had the Maple Rye variant, but oh well. I think Prop sounds great, but I really enjoyed last year's. I try not to compare it to prior Props and just think about if I liked it, which I did. I think this year's will be different, in that they aren't adding maple syrup, but rather it's from barrels that held syrup and then bourbon - I think that will make a big difference. I also think there will be a difference between the dark chocolate this year and the cocoa nibs from last year. Maybe not terribly noticeable, but I think it will have an impact. I'll buy as much Prop and Coffee as I can get my hands on, try to get a 2-3 cases of regular and grab a few BW.

 

Prop this year is aged in maple barrels instead of maple added...thats an improvement
The barleywine is now in 1st use barrels making it significantly different than past years
Id say those are two awesome changes

 

I'm a bit concerned about the change in BW making it MORE boozier. I'll still grab some, but I think I'm getting drunk just thinking about it.

 

Pfft, lightweight.

 

Haha...I was assuming I'd get that! Like I said, I'll still grab some and this won't impact how many I get, but my tolerance isn't what it was 5-10 years ago!

 

Just like BCBS is another barrel aged stout in a sea of barrel aged stouts? It'll sell just fine. Let's remember, if it isn't infected it is already better than last years. GI knows how to barrel age big beers. I can't see this being disappointing despite the change.

 

What ever happened to the scotch barrel Prop? Did that idea get scratched, put off till next year, or what?

 

The blog post says they are first-use barrels.