Chicago Stout Releases (2018)

I was so close to getting one there. I called and the guy told me they had it. Got there 5 minutes later and it was gone. I talked to him and he said he noticed right after getting off the phone with me that it was gone. Went fast.

I felt kinda dirty even trying to chase this down.

 

Some disjointed thoughts:

I was also at Monk's and also agree about the kid on the candy store with the chicago beer scene/distro.

And while there's a thrill in the chase of phenomenal beer, there's also so much payoff in the surprise pour that blows the mind.

And, dang, burbon county barleywine 16 is drinking great right now.

 

Both bottle and draft is awesome. I can't decide if I like older versions more, or if this is the best version of BW. Either way, it's fucking great. Followed Grand Prestige with BW and there's so much flavor that it's hard to not like. BCS this year was p. good imo.

 

I feel like 15 barleywine was an identifiable dip from the 2 years prior. I loved 2013 and 2014, especially as they aged, but this is a great rebound - and I'm excited to watch it develop.

I don't get the general lack of love for the barleywine, but I'll happily drink up the leftovers at tap takeovers.

 

I had it on tap tonight, and I have to say, I wasn't particularly impressed. It was tasty, but not as vanilla-forward as I hoped. Now, I will say that it seemed thicker than the last time I had it, so that was a definite pro (and this was on tap, so who knows how the bottles are).

 

For sure. Just drank a Devil's Invention. Really good coffee stout, and at $10.99 for a 4-pack of talls...Hot damn!

 

It's the same distributor.

 

@FBarber and @flat_lander got it right - those Devil's Invention cans are great, and a great value. It was so smooth that my wife asked if it was a nitro beer.

*MADAGASCAR FOLLOW-UP: I sent a friendly e-mail to Binny's asking about the huge price increase, and the timing of it. I received a quick response from the corporate beer buyer that stated:
"We inquired about the last minute price increase, because like yourself, we were surprised. We were told that the price of Madagascar vanilla beans went up and a considerable amount more were used this year when compared to last year.
If you have any further questions about why the cost of 4 Hands Madagascar went up, I would advise you to direct them to 4 Hands."

 

Are we expecting The World's Columbian Coffee Exposition soon?

 

Within the next couple weeks, per their IG. The embed link isn't working for me currently, but it's the 2nd pic here:

https://www.instagram.com/hopbutcher/?hl=en

 

I would advise you to direct them to 1 middle finger.

How did others sell it for so much less?

 

Others confirmed it was $23 at the release, so it seems the $17.99 price was a mistake on the retailer's part. Still sucks. I keep measuring value by comparing these BA beers to the $12 6pks of High Westified, which is probably my mistake.

 

I'd hate to say it, but the reason we probably don't see more vanilla beers is the prohibitive price of vanilla beans...When supply catches demand, get ready to be overwhelmed.

 

When supply catches demand...GET READY FOR MARSHMALLOW HANDJEE FOR EVERYONE!!!

 

I had this at Monk's after work (was the only BCB left on draft) and I have to agree. I would still have ordered prop or regular over it, but am almost glad I was forced to "settle". Reminded me it's almost as good as the stouts.

 

Binny's Glen Ellyn told the same "bottles broke on the truck" sob story. Def

WHAT!? This years is amazing. I actually think this years regular tastes more in the Barleywine realm, too.

 

I believe this is one of the first that hasn't used BCS barrels, correct? It's just going directly into bourbon barrels, so there's no BCS influence on the barleywine itself.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the case. And I think this year's BW certainly has more bourbon character than last year, which works great with the base beer.

And I wonder if the decision to use non-BCS bourbon barrels was intended to change things up. Or if the 2015 infections created a shortage of barrels. Speculation of course, but I'm pleased with the outcome either way.