Founders CBS - Final 2018 Barrel Aged Series release.

I wonder if the missing Mountie will play out like the baby missing from Michigan FBS labels in 2015. They ran into an issue with the state, not having gotten the label approved. Perhaps Canada has the Mountie trademarked somehow? Or does this have to do with NAFTA being suspended?

 

CBS was really great and I'm glad I was finally able to try it last year, but I don't feel the need to splurge $30 again. Maybe I'd be willing to go 50/50 with a friend. Not even sure about that. Really tasty, just not worth the hassle.

That bomber price is steep. I honestly prefer their other barrel-aged options with Backwoods Bastard and Better Half. Both are much easier to find and are better for my wallet because they're available in 4pks.

 

It cracks me up that, in 2018, when expensive, large-bottle format pastry stouts are all the rage, Founders is getting blasted for producing one of the OG “whales” in enough quantity to have it be readily available for anyone who wants to try it at a fairly reasonable price point because it’s too sweet, too expensive and in a large bottle.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The real problem with CBS is the fact that there’s so much more great BA beer than there was in 2011, but also that consumer buying habits have changed. People want the New Hotness more than the old standby, no matter how awesome that old standby is/was.

 

Or maybe its availability allowed a greater audience to see that maybe it wasn't so awesome after all...

I much prefer KBS (or even better, the late Imperial Stout) over CBS. Even if all 3 were the same price, I'd still rank them FIS > KBS > CBS. But you're right. There's so much good BA beer out there that the OGs are no longer best in class. That being said, I do think it's a scam how Founders can do 4-packs of CBS in Canada but only 750s in the US.

 

easy pass. too expensive and too sweet for my tastes.

 

Cracked open my CBS from last year the other night and it may have been the best bottle yet. Everyone I shared it with also agreed. I can't wait to pick up another 2-3 bombers to enjoy throughout the year when this comes out (and compare with my last bottle from last years release).

 

If they sold it in 4-packs at the same price as Better Half, I’d probably grab it. The 750 format is too large for me to bite two years in a row — especially at that price (which in SEPA will likely be $30-$40).

I liked CBS and it was great to try, but as others have said, their are other great beers available at much lower prices.

 

Do not understand why the rest of the world gets 4 pks and we do not. I will not be buying any until they do. Bad move Founders.

 

So, what up first in 2019? Please no more aged IPAs.

 

I guess that's possible. Of course, that entire thought experiment would be a mess because there's also the whole factor of expectations vs. reality. CBS had long enjoyed a reputation as an elite, highly sought beer. People who were getting their first exposure to it in 2017 undoubtedly had expectations about the beer that couldn't possibly be met.

After years of build up and hype, it was going to be impossible to have a beer that tasted as good as the reputation that preceded it, because it's still just beer.

 

And the difference between a truly great beer and a very good beer is quite small, in my opinion. Getting from very good to great requires something very subtle and nuanced. For many people it probably is more about preference than the actual quality of the beer. If so, it is probably not worth dealing with an undesirable format and price point.

For example, Heady Topper, Pliny, and Julius are truly great beers but not so much better than what I can get locally that I will go through the hassle and cost of trying to trade for these beers very often.

 

I’ll definitely be tryin’ to get two bottles like last year. Loved it last year!

 

Eh I'll probably pick one bottle up, but I'm not going to go nuts over it like I did last year.

 

All I wanted was 4packs. It what we should have gotten. Still, no doubt I’ll get some. Usually I can get it for $24 per at the most

 

750mL - obviously not my favorite format, but I am a big fan of this beer, I'll be stashing a few bottles.

 

I honestly think that 90% of the haters would not have come out if it was going to be available in 4/packs. If it was the consensus would be “solid beer, 4/packs, decent price per ounce (assuming KBS pricing)”. Take 2 of the 3 away and the negative feeding frenzy starts. Especially since the precedent for the series is 4/packs and bombers.

 

I want to try Curmudgeon's Better Half, but it still hasn't been distributed to my store in Ohio yet.

They get deliveries on Thursday so maybe it'll be there when I go up on Friday.

 

The only thing I’ll add to this is that I know numerous stores where I can still pick up last year’s bottle. That’s saying something.

I still have one bottle left, if I have a week where I work some good overtime and I see one, I’ll probably pick it up. I’ve been weaning myself off the bomber format anyway. Just, too much money.

 

Since CBS seems to be better with a few months age, you might consider just buying last year's stock, and thanking them for aging them for you. Could try talking them down on the price by pointing out that they're still stuck with old stock and the new ones are coming out shortly.

 

Are you fucking kidding me? Damn. I was hoping for BBA Imperial Stout. As much as I like this beer, at $25 a bomber and the pain in the ass it is to try and get one bottle I may pass.