2014 Darkness: On Tap

Still on at wildwood in Rochester

 

Had one of the last pours at Pizza Luce in Hopkins last night. $7 for a 10 oz pour, which I thought was entirely reasonable.

 

For Rochester folks, it is getting tapped at Whistle Binkies South on Wednesday and North on Thursday. $5/12oz.

 

I wonder if Binkies will get the BA version or regular?

 

I thought the opposite. I didn't get any barrel out of it at Lyndale Tap, nothing at all like Darkness Day, so I'd say that was regular.?.?

 

Looks like Abrasive will be early Dec.
https://twitter.com/surlybrewer/status/529289021562699779

 

The bartender at Lyndale Tap House emphatically told me it was NOT barrel aged, saying that the the non-BA version is sweeter, and she seemed to be very knowledgeable about beer and clued in. Based on what I had at Lyndale Tap House, I still can't tell which version I had at Moose on Monroe (it was awfully sweet at Moose). Either I've only had non-BA Darkness, the versions don't taste nearly as different as some are claiming, at least when not consumed side-by-side, or my palate isn't very good.

I will say that all three 2014 Darkness pours I've had (the Simcoe/Amarillo dry-hopped non-BA version at the brewery in August, the possibly BA version at Moose, and the non-BA version at Lyndale Tap House) are not nearly as good as I remember fresh Darkness being in every year in the past. I've truly loved 2006 through 2013 Darkness and find 2014 to be a merely average imperial stout in my tastings so far. That may simply be the result of an evolving palate; I don't know, but Darkness doesn't seem to be as deliciously hoppy this year as it did in the past, and it now is excessively sweet. I do still hope to try some definitely BA Darkness on tap soon for the full effect.

 

I would agree that this year's is more sweet and less hoppy fresh than prior years. Wonder if they tweaked the recipe knowing it would be barrel aged?

 

Groveland Tap just tapped some form of Darkness. I'd bike over for a pint or 2, but I'm sick as a dog. Enjoy.

 

I was definitely surprised it didn't have more "heat", guess that's because it was the non-BA version.

 

Crooked Pint downtown has BA, according to the label on the keg. Nowhere near as much barrel flavor and aroma as the keg at Moose on Monroe or Lucé. No idea why that would be.

 

On at Happy Gnome - I saw one guy pay with the emerald that got thrown overboard from the titanic for a 10 oz glass...

Yet, convenient to get Rum King and Darkness at the same place... My palate says that it was 100% straight up darkness... no BAing on this one...Cannot confirm this.

 

My Burger (calhoun) seems to be BA $6/12oz

 

The Stadium Village location most certainly has the BA version, but it's going fast.

 

It definitely is! Went there last night. Good burgers too.

 

Drinking one at the Happy Gnome right now. Tastes just like the bottle I had on Halloween, so I'm guessing it's the barrel version? Idk, I got fucking trashed on Halloween this year.

 

13 and 14 Darkness as well as 13 and 14 Rum King all on right now at Bryant Lake Bowl!

 

I'm on my way in about 15 minutes!

 

If I am still here, hit me up. Plaid flannel & salt and pepper hair. I have a 10th anniversary Wake and Bake, if they let us crack it.