Founders CBS - Final 2018 Barrel Aged Series release.

Had 2017 a few weeks ago, and it aged well. Was tasty, and only got better as it warmed.

Had 2018 two nights ago. It was better than 2017, easily, IMO. More maple than 2017. Just a better beer, overall. I have one to age, and one to drink fresh on Thanksgiving. I'll enjoy both.

 

I gave in and popped my 2018. Seems like it is a little more robust, slightly smoky roasted, hint of dark cherry, nice dark chocolate and dark coffee notes with even more maple than I remember last year and a touch of bourbon. I might try to grab another bottle if I see it again. I heard the distributor in MA picked up less than they did last year, so stores don’t have as much this time around. I guess the hypebois got what they wanted, a more exclusive harder to get beer. I honestly think the 2018 could age a little bit as it is pretty roasty and almost smoky right now but that does play well with the other flavors. Still haven’t tried this beer aged, which would be easier to do if it was 12oz. I’ll pop my 2017 at some point in the near future.



Wanted to get some nice foliage and trees outside but it was a little too bright for my camera

 

Just heard today. 4 packs next year. Hope she’s right!

 

Unless you were talking to someone at Founders I would be highly skeptical about any details they are providing for a beer not dropping for a year considering they don't even know how this years release is going to sell.

 

Or hopefully they're reading this forum and their facebook/twitter comments and actually listening to how upset we are about the bombers.

 

They knew how upset we were last year and doubled down this year. But yes, hopefully that is the case but I am not an optimist when it comes to these things.

 

Not sure where in NJ you are. Bottle King in Ramsey has it You have to ask

 

My info just came from someone who talks with our local distributor. Perhaps they had the info and passed it down. Wishful and hopeful thinking

 

Once Founders gets paid by the distributors, they don't care anymore. It all sells, even though in bombers, and Founders makes a lot more on bomber format. With that in mind, why would they consider selling in 4-packs of 12oz bottles and make less money? I suppose if they could make more and would give up the rare/cult status, they could take a chance on 4-packs at a lower per ounce price - but doubt even with increased production and sales that they would make half as much profit as they do with bombers. Not happening, fake news.

 

I wonder what we will see next year from the barrel aged series. Now that Backwoods Bastard is year round, CBS may become the 2nd mainstay in the series with KBS.

Anyways, next week they are doing their 4th podcast and are taking questions from the community. The most popular question by far is CBS in 12oz 4pks. So who knows? Maybe we'll find out sooner or later.

 

The keys to format and profit are the quantity they can and will produce, and the cult status. For instance, KBS is much easier and cheaper to produce, and has typically been sold primarily in 12oz. It would be hard for them to "get it back in the goose" by limiting production, switching to bomber-only, and conjuring up the old cult status that was lost forever as of last year when they cranked up production.

They can't easily make as much CBS because it is maple barrel limited, and CBS still has cult status, so they can charge more and sell bomber-only. Some shelf-turding was perceived last year due to inequitable distribution, so it will be interesting to hear whether that was straightened out. Cult status would be reduced if they announce making CBS an annual. By not announcing it but releasing it every year, it would be a few years before folks figure they can count on it, and stop stocking up. Perception is everything.

 

I do believe production is way up this year. We actually got a 2nd release of CBS today in Metro Detroit after the initial release last Friday. I was actually shocked to see bottles still left from last week when I was in the store earlier this week for Bells Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout.

I do agree that perception of rarity has a lot to do with sales. Last year CBS flew off the shelves within hours here, but from the comments I have read on BA regarding CBS and seeing all the bottles still around days after release I do think it has lost luster amongst the craft community. Even taproom tickets were still available up until release day on 11/1 (sold out in 2 days last year). I even saw similar comments about Bell's Black Note Stout earlier this year possibly because there was a second distribution drop for the first time.

I'm curious to see how the perception of BBA Expedition Stout changes this year with amped up production (350 barrels) and most Bell's accounts nationwide getting 1-2 cases. It sold out here in a few hours like usual, but there seems to be more and more of it every year.

 

I still say that anybody who enjoys craft beer and hasn't had the chance to try it yet should pick up a bottle of CBS if they can.

It is a really good beer. Tried it myself for the first time last year and enjoyed it.

However, I probably will not be picking up a bottle this year. Even though I did enjoy it, the price point is significant. I just wasn't blown away to the point where I'm dying to drop $30 again for a single bottle. The maple flavor was a tad too subtle for what I was expecting so in the end it really just reminded me of a sweeter KBS which again wasn't a bad thing as I love that beer. I just felt like the differences between those two weren't enough for me to justify the steep cost for a revisit.

On a related note, my favorite beer from Founders, one of my favorite beers of all-time actually, is Backwoods Bastard and the 2018 bottles I had the other day were phenomenal! The amount of toffee and caramel sweetness coming off this fresh batch is something I've only experienced trying older vintages of Bastard with a few years on them. Not only is it an amazing beer, but I also think it offers serious bang for your buck. An 11% barrel-aged Scotch ale readily-available in 4pks at a fair price. And since it's now a year-round release, there is plenty to be had as nobody seems to care about it as much anymore.

Such is the norm these days in this crazy craft beer world.

 

Have a friend in Canada, so hoping he can grab me (2) 4-packs of the smaller bottles when it makes it up to his area. I still will likely buy a bomber or two here, though, just in case.

 

South as south can get unfortunately

 

don't think Canada is getting 12 oz this year, or maybe that was just a rumor

 

I think you are right. I heard only bombers worldwide as well.

 

Firestone Walker switched to 12oz bottles 2 years ago from bombers for all their big realeases and got a lot of backlash for it. For me, I still prefer the bomber format. Big beer, big bottle. From a business standpoint however, if Founders switched to 12oz bottles they can sell those bottles for a higher price per oz.

 

If my son in law didn't buy two bottles for me, I would have passed. For the same $$$ I could buy two 4-packs of Backwoods Bastard AND two 4-packs of Breakfast Stout.