2015 GLBC BA Blackout

The general consensus as of late is no.

 

If that was the consensus, it wouldn't sell out in a few days time.

I don't think any beers are actually worth this type of price tag, but many disagree. And to answer your question, there is a release party around MLK day down at the brewery. Tickets may be on sale now, I haven't checked.

 

From what I have seen in the last couple years on BA and personally, the majority do not think it is worth it. Demand is so high right now for such beers, that it will sell out regardless of the minority who post their opinion on BA. And with the high profile limited releases, it seems that people will buy regardless of price so they don't miss out, and then worry about the quality later.

 

I've had it and if it were available locally I would probably buy more but I won't incur the shipping cost to trade for it. Definitely worth having for no other reason than to form your own opinion.

 

Completely agree. I used to make a day trip out of it and get this beer. Nowadays there's too many better options.

 

Agreed. I think this is the case with any beer, but I can see not wanting to travel to get something.

 

Well, I'm one of the people that don't think it is worth it, so maybe you are right. I live 15 minutes from Great Lakes and haven't been to the release since 2007.

 

I actually really like it. Expensive? Yes, but cheaper than some other Ohio barrel aged beers still. I like that it is thick and full of flavor without the high alcohol of a lot of other barrel aged stouts and it's in a four pack. Great Lakes has only one screw up (grassroots) in my opinion so I may be a little partial to them.

 

Like mentioned above, it gets released around MLK day. If you don't want to spend the money on the release party, it's typically available the following day at the giftshop. It's a pretty solid BA Stout any way you look at it, and worth picking up a bottle or 4 if you've never had it or want to trade. Sure price looks a little high, but is right on par if you compare a $15 bomber of something like BA Boris.

 

It is a very good beer, but as mentioned above, the price is just a touch above what I'm comfortable with. That's saying a lot and comes off hypocritical, seeing as I would spend upwards of $30+ per bomber on Cascade sours when you figured in shipping.

Still, if they even lowered it to $6.50 a bottle/$26 a 4-pack I would be a little more, "Mmm...okay then."

 

As others have stated, it's a quality brew. Bends more towards the dry, roasty side with a lighter mouthfeel than a BCBS.

$30 per 4pk is steep for what you get, IMO. Would like to see that price come down this year, but when it flies out of the brewery like it does, there's no real need

 

I will be in cleveland on friday 1/23. any chance of them still having bottles?

 

It actually sold out by dinner time the day it was released this year. Last year it lasted for about 5 days. I predict that it will sell out in 2-3 hours next year.

 

What's with the overpriced BA Stouts from Ohio? BA Blackout, BA Siberian Night, and the Hoppin' Frog stuff all seem overpriced compared to the likes of KBS, Black Note, and BCBS. If it's a size thing, I picked up some Delusion from Greenbush for low $20 range so I don't really buy that.

 

BA Blackout is expensive at $30, but the rest are on par.
BA Siberian Night ranges from $24-$28/4pack.
The only Hoppin Frog BA offering at or above $20/bomber is Naked Evil. The last Hoppin Frog BA release, BORIS #200 (5x longer barrel aged), was $16/bomber.

KBS ranges from $24-$28/4pack here.
Black Note ranges from $24-$32/4pack here.
And I've seen BCBS go between $20-$32/4pack in other states.

BA Blackout is the only overpriced stout as far as I'm concerned.

 

They are all over priced, but Ohio isn't unique in that regard. And didn't Great Lakes make much less BA Blackout last year than previous years?

 

Yes. They made a SIGNIFICANT amount less last year. The previous year (2012 vintage, released in Jan 2013) lasted for a few months.

 

More like a few months last year. It was crazy how long it stuck around!

 

Had one on tap last night at Neons in OTR in Cincy. Was 9 bucks for a 12oz pour. I really enjoyed it.