Bourbon County 2018

Good advice in general, whether or not you're trying to order off menu.

 

Found the exact flavor profile of Midnight Orange, IMO.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry's_Chocolate_Orange

 

Those are the ones! There were some domestic knockoffs that showed up at some point (the years get hazy as they go by) that weren't as good as the Terry's ones from England. Haven't had them post-2017 which the Wiki article mentions as being when another company took over production. If you like Midnight Orange you will like these and probably vice-versa. Those oranges contain many good childhood Xmas memories for this BCBS Midnight Orange lover. Bust off a wedge and let the thin part melt on your tongue before you crunch down.

 

I thought orange tasted like an orange Tootsie roll pop......love it

 

Uhhhh... *burp* at 3580 N Milwaukee Ave, they’re selling Vanilla BCBS for $23, and the guy there said they have a whole box of em. I got 2 tonight for $50 with tax. Just a heads up to those of you who live in Irving Park, Avondale, Logan Square and whatnot

 

So, this smart-assery was based off a draft pour later on during Prop Day.

After having a bottle tonight, I have to say, it's not so bad.

It's not great, certainly, but it's a nice medium roast coffee bean note, with caramel & bourbon/oak notes on the finish.

I'm not going to seek more out, but it's not the miscarriage of justice I made it out to be previously.

 

If one thing can be said about the releases this year, it seems most people agree the bottles have been better than the drafts. Had the same experience with Bramble.

 

I had a bottle last night, and I found I liked it a lot. I say this as a huge fan of BCBCS, but I was nervous about coffee in the barley wine. I didn’t find the coffee overpowering, and overall I felt the beer was very smooth and pleasant. Very balanced, and a nice change of pace after the in-your-face nature of most of this year’s lineup. I’d grab another bottle or two if I see it, but I would hold to the bottle recommendation and not age this one.

 

Had a pour of Wheat Wine at Timmy O Tooles Gurnee today and while not mind blowing, it’s solid. Probably the only variant I’d buy a second bottle of.

 

I'll have to open a bottle of bramble now. I know I really disliked vanilla on draft and then thought it was good out of the bottle

 

Why does goose suggest not aging this one and midnight orange?

 

In my experience the draft pour I had of Bramble was way too cold and all I got was medicinal juice vibes.

 

They're brand new beers. They don't know how they'll change or behave past that time mark. I seem to always drink coffee beers quickly so not looking to age Coffee BW.

 

Did they use orange juice, essence, zest, rind, etc. for the orange flavor? All I can imagine is maybe that rancid orange juice taste from expired OJ and perhaps they fear that happening.

 

Orange zest.

 

I don't think that is necessarily why they're putting lower years on those 2 beers for aging. I think it's got to do with the ingredients themselves for some reason (although I think we're all just speculating). I think Coffee is probably due to the issues they have recognized with their coffee flavors changing over time to something they don't want.

 

Speaking of old Props, I had 16 on tap recently and it was... not good...