Anyone else disappointed by this year's backwoods bastard?

Backwoods tastes the same as it always has. Anyone who believes otherwise probably has a bad memory or thinks every beer tastes different every year.

I have not had FBS after the first batch this year, which I have heard was the first batch on the new system. I did notice a slight lack of base malt, but I am not ready to start saying something is up without drinking more.

I think people are overreacting because unfortunately that is what beer geeks do best. Beer geeks know just enough to be dangerous but unfortunately they rarely seek out all required information to make an informed decisions.

Before we blame anything on the expansion lets be real. The new system went in this summer. This would not have had any impact on KBS or BB. New systems bring new challenges, if they have had any struggles they deserve the benefit of the doubt, they will dial it in.

 

I actually find this year's Backwoods a little better out of the gate than last year's, but would say the KBS this year had a little less barrel character to it than I remembered. Haven't really found FBS to have changed much (if any). Diff'rent Strokes. Still all great beers, especially at their respective prices.

 

No. All 3 are just as good as I remember them.

 

Same as it ever was...... Same as it ever was......

 

No..It was great..Just as the others were..

 

Nope, FBS was even better than I remembered it. The coffee was much more pronounce for me which has now changed my mind to that its on par with Wake n Bake instead of just below it. It does still lose the coffee flavor quicker though.

 

Agreed with all posters above, all are just as good as they were in the past. Your taste buds and pallat simply changes more than you think.

 

OK, I'll agree with the OP.

I've had a ton of the Bastard the last couple of years. Now, I've only had two bottles this year, so perhaps I had bad luck, but the Bastard I had was thinner & had less bourbon in it than previous years. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt (since I bought a few four packs) & keep drinking it (because I'm a martyr!), but I hope that's not what's in store for the rest of them. Certainly not bad, just not a Top Ten beer as in year's past.

And for the record, my "memory" is just fine. Not only that, but I do think most brewers are remarkably consistent in maintaining the taste of seasonal product year over year, but there are also brewers that - constantly or upon occasion - tweak recipes.

To be clear, I'm not saying that's the case here one bit. But to dismiss year-over-year variations across the board in one sweeping verbal tic is going over to the other extreme of the issue. Beers change.

 

Tasted great as always for me.

 

I have to agree as well. I have had 3 bottles, on Tap twice, so I don't think it is really a variation issue. I found it a little lacking on the barrel. Not as hot out the gate, and def less oak and vanilla from the barrel. Still and outstanding beer though, and it's scary how easy it goes down

 

clearly you like to whine a lot JEG

 

FBS is definitely thinner this year (unless aging adds mouthfeel and coffee flavor). I didn't notice any KBS or Backoods differences

 

No, it's the same as last years. I still have last year's bottles and it's the same. any differences are in people's heads

 

So your comparing a year old BWB against a fresh one, and because they taste the same now, that means they both taste the same fresh? Not saying you are wrong, but the line of reasoning is flawed. I also have some from last year, and do agree they taste pretty similar now, as the year old one has mellowed.

 

So a year-old bourbon barrel scotch ale taste the same as a fresh one?

I think you just debunked your own argument!

 

No problems here with BWB or FBS. No significant noticeable difference from last year for either of these as far as I can tell. Bottoms up!

 

no i mean I had it last year. did it this year. it's the same except the year one has mellowed and a little age quality