Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout 2018

Binnys Plainfield

 

We got lots of regular Expedition down here yesterday. Still crickets on my BAE.

I'm kinda hoping some bigger grocery store accounts that sell a lot of Bells get it too and I stumble onto a 4 pack or two sitting on a floor some where. It's nice to dream sometimes.

 

Binnys SL had some as of yesterday 4-5pm, limit 1. Along with Darkness, limit 1

 

Oakbrook, Riverside, and Willowbrook said they didn't get it.

 

Elmwood Park said they weren't getting any

 

Found a 4-pack in NWI as I was passing through. Looks like that's the last one around. This stuff isn't nearly as plentiful as I had thought it was going to be.

 

My buddy found some BBA Expedition in a local grocery store in mid-Michigan today. He picked up a sixer for me.

 

BBA comes in 4 packs so you may be getting a 6er or regular Expo

 

You sure it's BA? Regular expo comes in 6. BA comes in 4...

 

Ah shit. My bad. He's getting me a four pack of BBA Expedition. Nothing to see here. Move along.

 

4-packs at DePaul Whole Foods. Get em fast

 

Had this tonight while making dinner, absolutely delicious! I definitely liked it better than last years version.

 

Different palates & whatnot but to me '17 was the best

Strange I feel like '18 tastes like '16 which are both inferior to '17

 

Had my first 18 BAE tonight.
Such good roasted flavor. The bourbon was quite present but mellowed as it warmed. I'm really excited to age this beer.

 

I would be too, but imdokt think I have the patience, which is crazy, because I have so much beer that I’m just sitting on.

 

So: I liked 2016 and LOVED 2017.

2018 is better than both. Massively complex but easy to drink.

I picked up notes of dark chocolate, medium roast coffee bean, raspberry, burnt caramel, cream & earth. Mild notes of bourbon & oak were there, but didn't overpower the beer at all (and I'm sensitive to bourbon heat in this kind of beer).

@LarryBell you fucking nailed it. I'm genuinely envious of those that bought in bulk at the release; I'm lucky to have gotten a 4 pack but already sad I don't have an unlimited supply.

Huzzah!

 

I don't cellar beer, I drink it. I've already drank 4 of this years release. But I don't see the need in aging. I didn't think it was hot at all and thought it had perfect balance already with the chocolate, dark fruits & dry oak barrel presence all tangling together perfectly. Just my 2c

 

Unlike most BA stouts, BAE is a really great aging candidate.

 

It actually appears to be extremely plentiful, but in a different way than we think about using that word. Normally we use it when we talk about Founders, because you can walk into a place and see 8-10 cases on the ground. In this case, unlike black note, LOTS of places are getting it, but no place is getting more than 3 cases (from what I have read). I, personally, very much appreciate that they decided to distribute it this way, whereas a lot of beers seem to go to select accounts only. (Not saying you said that, just offering my own opinion.)

 

Yes. Being a non-adjunct stout and all. I'm just saying with how it's drinking right out of the bat, I don't see any benefits from aging it. It's already showing great balance with all the characters you could want in this type of stout. But I fully agree with you it's a better candidate than most. I get it if people think things are too hot, but I just think some people take aging too far. If it's drinking great, drink it!