Was kindly hooked up with a couple bottles last year. Only drank one, but I'd go out on a limb and say it was possibly my favorite beer of all time. How is this years batch? I wasn't able to get out to Dark Horse yesterday, but does anyone know where I can score a bottle?
I couldn't make the release but a buddy and I cracked a 2011 and 2012 side by side last night, and here are some notes: 2011 is way more bourbon forward, huge boozy heat coming in early and throughout. Pt5 has a burnt malt / bitter backbone that I personally felt was still a little too present for me in the barrel aged version but despite that this drinks deliciously. 2012 has a much subtler barrel treatment, and is far more coffee forward, both on the nose and flavor. I think I prefer 2012 but mostly because I don't love the burnt malt. Then I blended the last 2oz of both pours. At the risk of sacrilege, I'll say that I thought the blend of the two was sublime, a wonderful balance of the strengths of both, opening with the big bourbon of the 2011 and melting into heavy malt/coffee without the full bitterness profile. I strongly recommend giving this a shot if you have the opportunity to try both side-by-side.
I would say it was pretty awesome. Two years ago I had BB Plead and Darkeness side by side at Twisted Spoke. I know that Darkness is not barell aged but BB Plead was ridiculous in comparison. Couldn't make it to 4elf last year, so I was super excited to go this year. Great party, super super friendly staff, one of the most unpretentious festival crowds, and free food. We had #306, 307, and 308. Got shutout for bottles but got to drink allot of it. It has to be one of the best BA stouts out there. Hopefully I can trade for a few bottles.
