Founders CBS - Final 2018 Barrel Aged Series release.

I'm not a fan of the bitterness of Imperial, but I thought BBA Imperial was more likely than CBS, and sounded good.

 

Honestly I was a bigger fan of Bell's Black Note last year than I was of CBS.

 

I initially said I would not buy this when i saw only 750mls again. I bought 3 last year and wasn't blown away by my first that i tried immediately.

I tried another last week and enjoyed it much than I recall initially.

Having said that, I still feel it's a dick move by founders to only give the US the overpriced 750ml format while foreign countries get the better values and more desirable 4 packs.

I MAY buy one bottle this year. Though, I may still not.

 

Didn't know that Black Note was aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels.

 

I fully agree - CBS needs at least 6 months aging to realize its full potential. Aging mutes the coffee a bit, allowing the other flavors to come to the front. Also agree on the packaging which is an obvious profit decision. Their accountants apparently figured out that people will pay twice as much per ounce in bomber format, even if it reduces sales a bit. They have to know that they'd make US customers happier with a 4-pack format, and it would increase sales if they can increase production and lower price, but suppose they fear killing the cult status like they did by overproducing KBS.

 

It obviously isn't. I don't get the hype of Black Note - I've tried it several times, and just can't figure out why it gets the rating it does. For me, there is no comparison between Black Note and CBS, though I suppose those who prefer bitter to sweet may go for Black Note.

 

They're both hyped stouts that come out from their respective breweries around the same time. Black Note is aged in oak bourbon barrels btw.

And IMO Black Note tastes better than KBS/CBS

 

If CBS tasted like it does now after 10-ish months at 55 degrees in my cellar, it would have been everything people wanted in the December release. I had a pour at the late Stone Tap in Hudson on release day and until it warmed it was no different than KBS. A little maple started to show after that but it was a big let down. I cracked a bottle a couple weeks ago and it was the beer that blew my mind back in 2014 again. That being said, I'll still probably only buy one or two bottles since I'm really disappointed in Founders for not releasing it in 12oz format for the US this time. I'd rather they don't even release it until they can do 4-packs.

 

Is Founders doing a ticketed release for CBS?

 

I'll probably grab one for a fresh Christmas Eve evening or Christmas morning treat (as another posted mentioned) but I still have some left from last year and I wasn't blown away. Great beer, no doubt, but many other fantastic BA stouts out there that are either cheaper or not 750ml only releases.

 

Black Note is great, but so is CBS

 

Ditto. I just had one from last year too and thought it was really good. Lots of maple and bourbon but not overly sweet. I really enjoyed it and I'll pick up another this year if I see it.

 

The maple seemed to shine more with a few months on it surprisingly

 

Can someone tell me why they think the label is different i.e. no mountie?

 

Probably getting a bottle of this when it releases.

 

The RCMP didn't want to be associated with an alcoholic company, I think...

 

Easy pass. Tried it again last year after being underwhelmed by it on draft years ago. Founders makes some good beers, but their barrel program impresses me less and less every year (except Backwoods, which is always great; Better Half is good, too). I'll be spending the money on Goose Island and Revolution's barrel programs instead.

 

I wondered that too, but I hope it went somthing like this:

RCMP: Can you take our image off your beer buddy?

Founders: Hey! We are not your buddy! Guy!

RCMP: We're not your guy! Friend!

Founders: Sure! Whatever you say buddy.

 

Yup. Same with BCBS (in DC more 'beer centric' liquor stores still have '17 on the shelf, than don't). There's a place in the world for monstrous 17%+ BA stouts, that can live at $30/btl. The place for 10-12% stouts is $20 4pks. Or ship it ready to sell as $9.99 singles like FW.

Founders is apparently playing with House Money from All Day but basically everything in their lineup other than that one, is hard to understand- the brew itself and/or the pricing.